Dr. Charles Lee-Johnson

Chief Executive Officer | Author | Motivational Speaker | Pastor


Dr. Charles Lee-Johnson brings a wealth of experience as an author, motivational speaker, and expert trainer specializing in anti-racism, diversity, equity, inclusion (DEI), resilience, and community building. As Executive Director of The Children’s Collective, Inc. (TCCI) in Los Angeles, CA, Dr. Lee-Johnson leads with a vision to alleviate poverty and uplift vulnerable children and families in South Los Angeles. He is also the Senior Pastor of The Life Church in Riverside, CA, where he champions transformative community engagement..


A Legacy of Leadership and Academic Excellence
Born and raised in Los Angeles, Dr. Lee-Johnson is a proud graduate of Dorsey High School and Morehouse College, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology, graduating Cum Laude. He pursued a Master’s in Social Welfare at UCLA, earning the title of Social Work Student of the Year. In 2015, he achieved his Doctoral Degree from United Theological Seminary with a dissertation titled "A 21st Century Multi-Cultural Discipleship Ministry Model for Gifted, Saved, and Prospering Young Adults."

Dr. Lee-Johnson’s distinguished career includes serving as the founding Associate Dean for the Division of Social Work at California Baptist University and contributing to global outreach initiatives in Nigeria, Malawi, and Belize.

Impactful Contributions and Recognition
Dr. Lee-Johnson has received numerous commendations from prestigious organizations, including the State of California, the City of Los Angeles, UCLA, and the National Association of Social Workers (NASW), which named him 2010 Social Worker of the Year for Region H. His work has been recognized by the White House and featured in the Library of Congress’s Who’s Who.

Innovative Programs and Authorship
An accomplished curriculum developer, Dr. Lee-Johnson created the Ten Step Rites of Passage Program, a 500-page curriculum that has transformed the lives of at-risk youth and families nationwide. He has co-authored impactful curricula for Healthy African American Couples and the On Your Mark/Keeping the Faith program for inmates and parolees. Most recently, he co-authored the book Healing Conversations on Race: Four Key Practices from Scripture and Psychology (InterVarsity Press, 2023).

A Pastor and Family Man
Dr. Lee-Johnson has a rich pastoral history, growing Corona Community AME Church from 60 to over 360 members and establishing numerous outreach ministries. Today, as Pastor of The Life Church, he continues to lead with a heart for community transformation. Dr. Lee-Johnson is a devoted husband to Monalisa Lee-Johnson and a proud father of five children and four grandchildren. His leadership and passion inspire change and create opportunities for individuals, families, and communities to thrive.