About Ukeme

Community-Focused Leadership

Public service wasn’t always part of the plan. But when Ukeme Awakessien Jeter began to raise her two children, she felt a growing responsibility to help shape the future of the community she called home.

In 2021, Ukeme ran for Upper Arlington City Council as a first-time candidate with a clear mission: to bring innovative leadership to City Hall. Leadership rooted in listening for new ideas and preparing the city for a thriving future.

Twice elected to Council by the voters, Ukeme has earned a reputation for thoughtful leadership that asks tough questions, challenges the status quo, and gets things done. In 2024, she was selected by her peers to serve as Council President and Mayor because they trust her to do hard things well; with courage, compassion, and respect for all people.

“I have seen [Ukeme] in action, deal with difficult issues, deal with a variety of different opinions, listen to everyone, and work hard to get to the best answer. She is committed to representing everyone. That is so important for the district.”

– Heidi Munc, Vice Mayor & Vice President Upper Arlington City Council

Now, Ukeme is running for State Representative because too many of the pressures families, within our community, feel every day: rising property taxes, underfunded public schools, healthcare instability, and housing costs, are driven by decisions made at the State House. As Mayor, she has seen firsthand how local communities are forced to manage the consequences of poor state decisions without the tools or funding to fix them. She is running to restore leadership that works for Ohio families.

Ukeme believes in the promise of the American Dream. The promise that if you work hard, opportunity will rise to meet you. Holding on to the belief in that promise, she immigrated to the United States from Nigeria at the age of 18 to attend college and has built a life through education, hard work, and public service. By all accounts, Ukeme is living the American Dream, but that dream is slipping further out of reach for the next generation.

Professionally, Ukeme started her career as an engineer working in manufacturing facilities across the United States before attending law school and becoming a partner at a top national law firm. She is currently a higher education administrator at a top law school.

In addition to her public service, Ukeme serves as secretary of the board of directors for Ohio Legal Help, a nonprofit mandated by the Ohio Supreme Court to expand access to justice by providing free legal information and tools to Ohioans, and the board of trustees for the Community Shelter Board, which leads efforts to prevent and end homelessness in the Columbus region.

An accomplished author, Ukeme is the award-winning author of IMMIGRIT, a bestselling book about identity, grit, and reimagining leadership through the lived experience of an immigrant. Her words have appeared in Fortune, Fast Company, and HR Brew Magazines.

Her leadership impact has earned her a spot on Columbus CEO Magazine’s Future 50 list, the title of HerStory Maker from the Urban League, and recognition as a 2025 Columbus Monthly Inspiring Woman.

Ukeme received a J.D. from Case Western Reserve University School of Law, an MBA from the University of Massachusetts Lowell and a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Maine where she was a college track athlete.

HEAR WHY PEOPLE TRUST UKEME

LEGISLATIVE ACCOMPLISHMENTS WHILE SERVING UPPER ARLINGTON

Ukeme doesn’t just talk about results; she delivers them.

Modernized how the city does business – She led a major overhaul of procurement policies to open the door for more small, women-owned, and minority-owned businesses to compete for City contracts.

Turned equity into action – On the City’s largest development project, the $85M Bob Crane community center project, she pushed for a goal of 15% of construction spend going to small and minority-owned businesses. The project was completed exceeding goal with about 19% of the spend going to small and minority-owned businesses .

Saved residents money on energy costs – She supported electric aggregation, helping residents access lower, more stable energy rates because the City was able to use its power as government to pool the electricity demand of residents and small businesses to negotiate better rates with suppliers by bulk purchasing power to secure fixed, lower energy rates with some green energy options.

Cut waste and invested in sustainability – She supported the launch a citywide composting program, reducing landfill waste and giving residents a practical way to be part of the solution.

Brought transparency and opportunity to city leadership – She championed and revamped the boards and commissions recruiting and selection process, making the process more accessible, more transparent, and opening the door for more residents to serve.

Planned Ahead on Housing – She led the push for a comprehensive housing study, so Upper Arlington can proactively address housing needs and plan smart growth through its master plan.

VALUES

On Immigrants

Ukeme believes immigrants are an asset, not a problem to be solved.

She’s lived the immigrant experience, 20 years before becoming a naturalized U.S Citizen
She believes in fair, humane, and functional immigration systems.
She focuses on unlocking immigrant talent to strengthen our economy and communities.

On Guns

Ukeme believes we can respect the Second Amendment and still keep our communities safe.

Supports common-sense gun safety measures.
Focused on reducing gun violence while respecting responsible gun ownership.
Wants policies that protect families, not politics that divide them.

On LGBTQ+ Rights

Ukeme believes everyone deserves dignity, safety, and the freedom to live as who they are.

Supports equal protection under the law.
Opposes policies that target or exclude LGBTQ+ individuals, especially young people.
Focused on creating communities where everyone belongs.

On Reproductive Rights

Ukeme trusts women to make their own healthcare decisions.

Supports protecting access to reproductive healthcare.
Believes these decisions belong between a woman, her doctor, and her family, not politicians.
Focused on freedom, privacy, and dignity.

EDUCATION

Bachelor of Science (B.S), Mechanical Engineering – University of Maine (2004)
Masters in Business Administration (MBA) – University of Massachusetts Lowell (2009)
Juris Doctorate (J.D) – Case Western Reserve University School of Law (2013)