Board Of Directors

Mrs.Essence Unique Easley- known as Unique Founder and president of Enduring Minds The foundation. Unique lives in Columbus Ohio with her Husband Shane and Son Ezra. While dealing with Pseudotumor Cerebri, Epilepsy and Chiari Malformation Unique wanted to use her & her families experience to help others with similar conditions and Enduring Minds was born. Unique also co-owns E&E Tea Co. Is a certified Meditation coach/leader, Patient Advocate and Mental Health First Aid Provider and Tea Sommelier.

Mr.Shane Easley is a loving Husband & Father. Shane works in Health care as a Senior Operating Room Assistant with Ohio Health Hospitals and is also the Vice President of Enduring Minds and Co-Owner of E&E Tea Co. Shane truly enjoys giving back and being of service no matter what he is doing.

My name is Carolyn Felita Echols, 54 I reside in Columbus Ohio. I have one daughter. I graduated from Beechcroft High School in 1987… After High School I worked at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, and Grant Medical Center as a Unit Secretary and Cardiology Unit Manager.1996 to present I work for Columbus Police Dept.I’m proud to be apart of this Organization as my daughter deals with the illnesses we serve. I’ve always had the desire and passion to help others..Thank you again for another opportunity to serve on the Board. I am the Board Secretary.

Cassandra Byrd. I work at Nationwide Children’s Hospital as a Clinical Assistant. I love Uncle Charlie. I have 2 sons and grandchildren that I love. I Have been on the broad at Enduring minds for 2 years.

My name is Carlyn Caldwell and for fun I love to go to Zoombezi Bay and the zoo with my family. I am a mother of 2 wonderful children Isaiah (6) and Malia (4). Im also married going on 8 blissful years. I am a Certified Pharmacy technician at Powell Pharmacy located in Powell, Ohio. I have 17 years of experience as a pharmacy technician and I love helping people get their medications.

My name is Candace, 

I’m 27 years old & recently got married in August to my husband Branden! & together we have a fur baby named Motley! I have had IIH since December 2016, I have had 3 brain surgeries & 23 spinal taps. I’m really excited to continue my  journey educating others! Aside from online advocating in my spare time I like to play around with makeup looks & hang out with my family.

Nadine Lewis is a retired communication professional with more than 20 years in the field. She holds a B.S. in Applied communication and an M.S. in Marketing Communication. She retired after 31 years of service to the State of Ohio, with the last seven years as a Special Communication Assistant to Governor Bob Taft. Nadine also spent more than seven years as a staff writer/editor for the Columbus Call and Post newspaper, where her accomplishments included interviews with local heroes such as Dwight Hudson, The Ohio State University’s first African American drum major, and John B. Williams, one of Columbus Ohio’s longest living Buffalo Soldiers.A long-time community theatre writer, producer, and director, Nadine has produced such plays as Roots and The Wiz.

Darla Jackson recieved her Bachelors Degree from Kent State University in 2010 and her Masters in Education from Indiana Wesleyan University in 2019. She is currently a doctoral student at the University of Dayton. She has been in education for the past 7 years serving as an English and Social Studies teacher. She also serves on the Board of OCTELA (Ohio Council of Teachers of English Language Arts) and Sonshine Christian Academy the oldest African American private Christian school in Columbus Ohio. In addition to being a teacher leader, Darla enjoys spending time with her sisters her nephews, niece, and Godsons. She also enjoys cooking and singing as hobbies. As a member of the Board of Enduring Minds she hopes to spread the message that owners Unique and Shane Easley share; “no matter the obstacle you can endure.”

Mr. Marvin Echols After high school, I joined the Army and served for over 25 years. I held various
leadership positions: team leader, tank commander, platoon sergeant, first sergeant,
and sergeant major. I completed all non-commissioned officer leadership schools:
Primary Leadership Development Course, Basic Non-Commissioned Officer Course,
Advanced Non-Commissioned Officer, First Sergeant’s Course, and Senior Leadership
Academy. Served in Continental United States, Germany twice, El Salvador, Korea,
and Iraq. I was recipient of various awards: Good Conduct Medal, Army Service
Ribbon, Overseas Ribbon, NCO Ribbon (4 Awards), Unit Campaign Award (2 Awards),
Army Achievement Medal (7 awards), Joint Service Achievement Medal, Army
Commendation Medal (3 Awards), Joint Service Commendation Medal, Meritorious
Service Medal (3 Awards), and Bronze Star. Lastly, I recruited for the Army being
awarded the Gold Badge with 3 Sapphire Stars, graduate of Defense Equal Opportunity
Management Institute and later faculty member and instructor/facilitator. Possess two
Master Degrees and 75% towards my 3 rd Master’s Degree. Currently, senior manager,
with FedEx Office with various awards and acknowledgements.

Hello all my amazing strong warriors, my name is Olivia Ballmer. I’m a momma of 4 amazing babies. I’m very family oriented, free spirited, caring, and driven. I have been battling headaches scenes I was 13 always in and out of hospital after hospital. In 2020 my life changed for the worst I became a full time in home hospice care giver for my grandpa who had Reno failure he passed December 9th 2020, That’s when finally in November of 2021 i was diagnosed with PSEUDOTUMEROSIS CEREBRI (IIH) also was finally told i had Chiari malformation. So here I am ready to advocate and be a strong support system for all my warriors, and be a loud voice for us and our rare disease!