BROTHER LEE COLES is an experienced business leader, driven by community service and committed to establishing pathways to success for future generations of young Black Leaders. As a former United States Army Infantry Officer, commissioned at Benedict College, who possesses more than 20 years of entrepreneurial experience across the Real Estate, healthcare, Mental health, Mentoring At–Risk Youth, and counseling services. Brother Coles knows the critical role that dedicated leadership, leveraging partnerships, and managing resources plays in creating strong, stable, and supportive communities.

As the President and Founder of two small businesses located in SC since 2003, Brother Coles objective is to seek to close the disparity gap and increase access to healthcare and social services by providing a continuum of state–wide services including, long–term home healthcare, child and adolescent mental health counseling, and At–Risk youth mentoring. Through negotiated partnerships with the SC Department of Juvenile Justice and the SC Department of Disabilities and Special Needs.

Inducted in the 100 Black Men of Greater Columbia in 2003, Brother Coles served as chapter Vice–President in 2012 and was elected president serving from 2013–2016. Spearheading the establishment of the Collegiate 100 of Benedict College, his alma mater, and inducting its first cohort of 15 aspiring young men in February 2016 is one of his and the chapter’s proudest accomplishments. Under his leadership the chapter expanded its mentoring program by partnering with local churches, school districts, and state agencies, including the SC Department of Juvenile Justice (SC DJJ) to reach youth through a variety of initiatives including a lunch buddy program, Saturday leadership program, a lunch connection program for incarcerated youth. Selected program successes include:

An active member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Incorporated initiated a Benedict College (Spr. 1984) and was part of the initial concept to Charter a chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity to accommodate military members of this great Fraternity at Fort Jackson, SC.

Brother Coles is the second of four children born to the late James Coles and Willa Dean Coles of Hemingway, South Carolina. He has been married to his college sweetheart, Louise Conyers, for more than 30 years and together they have three beautiful daughters. In his spare time, he enjoys golfing, business networking, and traveling.