About Us
Our History
Lifting Minorities was incorporated in 2021 and officially launched in May 2022, born from a deeply personal story and vision of its founder. Inspired by his own journey of being raised in a single-parent household and later becoming a devoted father and community leader, the founder recognized the importance of access, opportunity, and representation for students of color.
Lifting Minorities was created to be a platform that not only uplifts individuals but also ensures that future generations inherit a stronger foundation to build upon. The nonprofit’s name, initials, and logo are all intentional and meaningful, symbolizing the founder’s identity and legacy while also reflecting the organization’s mission to lift others. At its core, Lifting Minorities is about creating opportunities, cultivating leadership, and building generational impact—because true success is measured not only by personal achievements but by the legacy we leave behind.
Our Mission
At Lifting Minorities, our mission is to propel students of color into higher education and the workforce.
Our Vision
We aspire to shift the educational and professional landscapes by enabling opportunities for students of color across the country.
OUR FOUNDER
Lee A. Murphy Jr.—a first-generation college graduate raised in a low-income, single-parent household in South Boston, Virginia—found early inspiration through his involvement in the Technology Student Association. Despite financial challenges, he earned a Bachelor’s in Business Information Technology from Virginia Tech in 2010 and later an MBA from Virginia Commonwealth University in 2016. Now a seasoned IT professional at a Fortune 200 company, Lee used his personal journey to found Lifting Minorities®, a nonprofit dedicated to empowering students of color in similar situations to pursue higher education and achieve professional success.
OUR BOARD
The Lifting Minorities’ Board of Directors provides ethical and legal oversight that helps the nonprofit
fulfill its public-service mission. This includes supervising finances, ensuring legal compliance, setting strategic goals, and assessing programs, all while maintaining a duty of care, loyalty, and obedience to the organization's objectives and stakeholders.