Jonathan E. Lee

Jonathan E. Lee is an educator, diversity advocate, and founder of Bridging Legacies Across Campuses, an organization dedicated to supporting, recognizing, and empowering students, graduates, and families of color within independent schools. Lee’s work is informed by his personal experience and professional mission. He enrolled at Episcopal High School as a ninth grader, where he encountered challenges related to racism, microaggressions, and isolation. Lee responded to these experiences by engaging in athletics, serving as captain of the cross country, basketball, and track teams, earning All-League, All-City, and All-State honors, and receiving the Rinehart Medal for Athletic Worth and the Jett Rogers Memorial Cup upon graduation. He remained focused on his goals and accepted a full scholarship as a William and Mary Scholar to the College of William and Mary.

Lee earned a Bachelor of Arts in government and an MBA from the College of William and Mary. After graduation, he worked as a project manager in the technology industry and coached varsity basketball and cross country at Episcopal High School. Lee later transitioned to a full-time role as assistant director of admissions at Episcopal High School, eventually serving as associate director of admissions, Hummel Dormitory head, ninth grade boys advisor, Black Student Association faculty leader, and member of the Race, Understanding and Belonging Task Force. Throughout his career in independent schools, Lee has served as a mentor, coach, advisor, dorm parent, grade dean, and admission officer.

The founding of Bridging Legacies Across Campuses reflects Lee’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in education. He established both Bridging Legacies Across Campuses LLC and Building Legacies Across Campuses Inc. with the vision of creating a network that fosters collaboration and community among BIPOC individuals within college campuses. Lee has delivered presentations for organizations such as the Cleveland Council of Independent Schools, focusing on empowering students of color and building inclusive alumni networks through DEI initiatives.

As a keynote speaker, Lee addresses issues including the lack of diverse Black males in teaching, the independent school experience for underrepresented and underprivileged students of color, and imposter syndrome. He has spoken at institutions such as University of Puget Sound and appeared on podcasts including "Max Out Time: Education Reboot," where he discussed bridging legacies across independent school campuses. Based in Seattle, Washington, Lee serves as director of admissions at Seattle Academy while continuing to expand the reach and impact of Bridging Legacies Across Campuses nationwide.