BIO

Roger Lee maintains a dual career in the arts and culture industry and the education industry. In the arts and culture industry, he currently serves as the Founder and CEO of Roger Lee Arts, LLC (since 2012) and the Founder and Artistic Director of Roger Lee Dance Company (since 2012) and previously served as the first Black Publicist of Philadelphia Ballet (2021-2022), the Family and Community Programming Coordinator at African American Museum in Philadelphia (2017-2018), the Founder and Education Director of Roger Lee Arts Academy (2015-2017), the first Director of Dance Programming at West Park Cultural Center's Arts Fest (2014), the Drumline Manager and Program Coordinator at Musicopia (2013), a Theater Audience Surveyor and the Phillyfunguide Intern at Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance (2011-2012), the Co-Director of the South Philadelphia Site of the City of Philadelphia's Introduction to the Performing Arts Camp (2011), the Management Consultant at SHARP Dance Company (2010-2012), and a freelance dance writer, competition judge, educator, and artist (2001-2020). In the education industry, Roger previously served as the first Dean of College at Philadelphia Performing Arts: A String Theory Charter School (2024), the first Director of Entrepreneurship and Future Ready Engagement at Revolution School (2023-2024), the first Director of Innovation and Entrepreneurship at Penn State Brandywine (2022-2023), the National Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Consultant at Summer Search (2022), the first Business Minor Curriculum Revision Coordinator and a Master Lecturer at University of the Arts' Critical Studies Program (2020-2021), a Business Consultant at Temple University's Small Business Development Center (2020), the first Assistant Director of Pre-College Engagement (2018-2021), an Entrepreneur in Residence (2018-2020), and an Adjunct Professor (2016-2021) at Drexel University's Charles D. Close School of Entrepreneurship, an Adjunct Professor at Eastern University's Dance Department (2015-2016) and Campolo College of Graduate and Professional Studies (2015), and an Adjunct Professor at Temple University's Dance Department (2014).
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Roger volunteers by supporting community-based arts, education, and entrepreneurship initiatives at the international, national, regional, and local levels. He currently serves as a Board Member for The Strides Collective (since 2024) and a Host Committee Member for Junior Achievement of Southeastern Pennsylvania's Spring Gala (since 2024). He previously served as a Screener for the first year of the National Endowment for the Arts' ArtsHERE Grant Program (2024), a Panelist for Pennsylvania Council on the Arts' Creative Sector Flex Fund (2024), an Advisory Panelist for Pennsylvania Council on the Arts' Preserving Diverse Cultures Division (2020-2021), a Nomination Advisory Committee Member for the first year of Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation's Regional Resilience Fund (2020), an Advisory Board Member for Downingtown Area School District (2018-2024), a Peer Panelist for Philadelphia Cultural Fund's Youth Arts Enrichment Grants Program (2018), an Entrepreneurship Competition Judge (2017-2024), a Dance Competition Judge (2016-2024), and an Advisory Board Member for Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau's PHL Diversity Division (2016).
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Roger has been recognized internationally, nationally, regionally, and locally for the impact of his professional and volunteer work. He was a speaker at the inaugural TEDx Columbia College Chicago Conference (2015). Roger was featured over 80 times by popular media outlets including 6abc, FOX 29, CBS 3, KYW 1060, WHYY 12, Comcast, TBN, The Huffington Post, The Philadelphia Inquirer, The South Philly Review, Philadelphia Magazine, Motivos Bilingual Magazine, and Entrepreneurs On Fire. He was a nominee for the 2016 International Community Service Award from Young Caribbean Professional Network and the recipient of the 2021 Staff Award for Campus and Community Engagement from Drexel University's Lindy Center for Civic Engagement, the 2018 Dance Educator of the Year Award from Limitless Performing Arts, the 2015 Teacher of the Year Award from Philadelphia School of Dance Arts, and the 2014 Rising Star Alumni Award from Ursinus College.
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​​Roger is a lifelong learner that obtained several degrees and certificates. He graduated as a member of the last cohort of Arts + Business Council for Greater Philadelphia's Designing Leadership Program (2024). Roger earned a Certificate in Negotiations (2021), a Certificate in Leadership (2020), and a Master's Degree in Arts Administration (2012) from Drexel University, a Bachelor's Degree in Dance and Media and Communication Studies (Magna Cum Laude with Honors) from Ursinus College (2010), and a Diploma in Dance and Visual Arts from Philadelphia High School for the Creative and Performing Arts (2006). He also graduated as a Modern Dance Major and a Painting Minor from Pennsylvania Governor's School for the Arts (2005).  

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