From her experience in the private arena—ranging from five years as an agent and senior auditor of multi-national corporations for the IRS to her highly acclaimed, 15-year leadership of a private financial services company in partnership with her late son, Juan M. Walker—Dr. Union’s passion has always focused on service to community.  Dr. Union responded positively to a call to ministry in 1990 when she, Dr. Anderson, and other committed friends and community leaders formed a non-profit, community development organization originally called Accents for Jesus International.  In November, 1990 the organization’s named was changed to One Light International to reflect the broader focus of its mission. 

OLI is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization with a programmatic focus that embraces diverse faiths, cultures and public and private sector interests that are committed to effecting positive change in the Los Angeles region and in key markets throughout the United States.  Since 1990, it has provided a range of training and direct intervention services for more than 40,000 low- to moderate-income families, with an emphasis on at-risk youth, and has earned a reputation as a leading community organization where the “middle class checks back in” by working with families and grassroots organizations that need it most. 

OLI has forged a number of strategic partnerships that, combined, blend the knowledge and expertise of sound business practices with the compassion for the “everyman,” or woman, and his or her struggles to live and succeed in a highly segmented, technological age.  In 2005, OLI’s strategic growth allowed it to expand its mission and program activity to work in partnership with leading non-profit and private sector organizations to help call national attention to a range of issues that are vital to America’s quality of life.  OLI actively seeks new opportunities to team with others who share its vision of opportunity and excellence for all, regardless of economic circumstance, and who are willing to commit their energies and resources to effect positive change.