By Joseph Lee, author of RIPPING OFF THE MASK: From Hustler to Headliner to CEO Girl-Dad
Before boardrooms and government contracts, Joseph Lee’s journey began in the raw, restless streets of New Orleans’ Lower 9th Ward—more specifically, the Desire Projects, a place synonymous with poverty, systemic injustice, and survival at all costs. Born into a multi-generational household crowded with love and hardship, Joseph didn’t have the luxury of childhood. At just fifteen, he was already a provider, a protector, and a street-hardened hustler. He wasn’t chasing dreams—he was dodging bullets, fighting hunger, and witnessing trauma that could break any spirit.
But Joseph was not broken. Beneath the pain, he nurtured ambition—a restless yearning for more than the life he was handed. He had mentors like Coach Wayne Reese who believed in his potential as more than a statistic, more than a product of his environment. His mother, with nothing but courage and love, orchestrated a last-ditch escape plan that sent Joseph to Maryland in 1991. It was a lifeline disguised as exile, and Joseph took it with both hands. That relocation—an act of love and survival—marked the start of a new chapter.
College wasn’t just a pursuit of education for Joseph—it was a battlefield. He juggled night shifts, cleaned floors, slung pizzas, and endured moments of homelessness. And in between, he danced. Yes, danced. As ‘Mr. Debonair,’ a male exotic entertainer in the DC nightlife, Joseph wasn’t just moving his body—he was building his brand. He was learning to market, to lead, to read a room, to listen, and to speak confidence into himself with every stage appearance. While others saw scandal, Joseph saw strategy. That stage was his MBA—an early education in how to hustle with poise and make a living on charisma and business instinct.
This chapter of his life—often misunderstood—was a crucible that forged his leadership skills. He learned about the psychology of connection, the art of performance under pressure, and how to influence and inspire. Every night under the lights was another step away from poverty and another page in the playbook that would one day lead him to build a multimillion-dollar company. The entertainer’s mask became a tool of transformation, a symbol of how adaptability, creativity, and courage could reshape destiny.
By 2013, Joseph Lee was no longer performing for others—he was building something of his own. After earning a Bachelor’s in Management Information Systems, a minor in Project Management, and a Master’s in Cybersecurity, he took a leap most wouldn’t dare: founding JLGOV LLC. He didn’t inherit wealth. He didn’t have investors. What he had was grit. From a small office in Virginia Beach, Joseph charted a course that would make JLGOV a trusted partner to federal agencies including the Department of Defense, Washington Headquarters Services, and the U.S. Navy. He earned prime contracts under GSA IT Schedule 70, Navy Seaport-e, and 8(a) STARS III—and along the way, he built a legacy rooted in excellence and determination.
But life wasn’t just about boardrooms and bottom lines. In 2017, Joseph stepped into the most profound role of his life: fatherhood. A devoted single dad to his young daughter, he found his greatest motivation in the sparkle of her eyes and the softness of her smile. Business trips became Tae Kwon Do tournaments. Strategic plans made way for bedtime stories. Contracts and custody hearings competed for his attention—but he rose to both challenges like the champion he had trained to become.
As a ‘CEO Girl-Dad,’ Joseph redefined success. His mission wasn’t just about growth charts and profit margins—it was about modeling strength, love, and leadership for his daughter. Whether he was guiding her through private school challenges or celebrating her first-degree black belt achievement, Joseph showed up—not just as a father, but as a fortress.
*Ripping Off the Mask* is his open letter to every young man trying to rise above a broken system. To every entertainer hiding pain behind applause. To every CEO who started with nothing. This memoir isn’t just a story—it’s a declaration that your origin does not define your outcome. It’s a tribute to those who dare to transform their narrative. Through each chapter, Joseph lays bare the battle scars and the beauty of redemption.
Today, Joseph Lee is not just a CEO or author—he is a movement. He mentors entrepreneurs, uplifts small businesses, and inspires the next generation to believe in second chances. Because if he could rise from the rubble of the Desire Projects to the heights of government contracting and fatherhood, anyone can. You just have to rip off the mask—and face your greatness.