Vernon Lee
Managing Partner at Lightship Anchor Fund
Washington, District of Columbia
Overview
Work Experience
Managing Partner - Lightship Anchor Fund
2023 - Current
Anchor is a Fund of Funds strategy leveraging diversity to produce exceptional outcomes. We are targeting a multi-billion fund backing remarkable Black fund managers across the Americas, Africa, and Europe. By strategically identifying opportunities within this market and coupling them with our unprecedented ecosystem access, Anchor aims to build wealth on a global scale for our investors and community.
Lightship Capital invests in remarkable founders. We turn bias into profit.
Co-Founder and Investment Committee Member
2019
The Marathon Fund invests in early stage innovation companies led by underrepresented entrepreneurs (Black, LatinX, women, disabled, and LGBTQ).
The Marathon Fund is a seed-stage equity fund that helps small and medium size companies grow.
Board Member
2024
UPWARD is a global networking organization accelerating the advancement of executive women through the implementation of member and corporate programming to support diversity and inclusion in the workplace.
Uniting Professional Women Accelerating Relationships & Development.
Founder
2006
Trusted business advisory firm to industry leading companies, entertainment partners, and veteran businesses. Brightwood Management Partners is a certified Service Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB).
Advisory Council Member
2022
Co-Founder
1997
Responsible for planning, organizing and implementing all logistical functions associated with the Hampton Roads All-Star Football camp weekend to include obtaining corporate sponsors/partners. Over 12,000 youth have attended the camp and associated programs (e.g., leadership symposiums, mental wellness workshops, law enforcement interaction round tables, etc.) free of charge. -Manage an eighty person staff that includes NFL players, coaches, and volunteers in executing camp activities; Camp has received multiple community service awards as well as extensive media coverage Nationally and in the Hampton Roads, VA region. -Co-Chair; Mike Tomlin (Head Coach Pittsburgh Steelers) Annual Meet and Greet Fundraising Event -Co-Chair; NFL Players and Celebrity Bowling Party Fundraising Event
Co-Host
2020 - 2024
Guests have included: Coach Mike Tomlin, Deion "Prime Time" Sanders, Michael Vick, Howard "H" White, Olympians Francena McCorory & Kellie Wells-Brinkley, Actor John Amos, Congressman Bobby Scott, State Senator Aaron Rouse, Mayor Donnie Tuck, Leroy Keyes, and many more.
Judge
2016 - 2021
The i.Invest National Youth Entrepreneur Business Competition is an excellent platform to help the next generation of business leaders hone their business development skills and prepare for a competitive and innovative future.
Chairman
2014 - 2020
The Marathon Foundation (TMF) is a highly inclusive organization that provides advanced skills development and entrepreneurial training in support of underrepresented entrepreneurs seeking private, early stage, growth capital to scale their businesses. TMF focuses entrepreneurial development and education resources on women, people of color, disabled, military veterans, and members of the LGBTQ community.
Advisory Board Member
2015 - 2018
Embark Richmond Highway (Embark) was a coordinated effort among multiple Fairfax County and Commonwealth of Virginia agencies to implement recommendations from the Route 1 Multimodal Alternatives Analysis conducted by the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT).