MEET JASON LEE
Jason Lee is a visionary entrepreneur, community leader, and most notably the CEO and founder of the multimedia entertainment platform, Hollywood Unlocked. Renowned as a self-made success story, Lee’s career spans various journeys, from corporate lobbyist, television star, and culture critic, to author, radio personality, business advisor, and social-media titan.
Abandoned by his drug-addicted mother and absent father, Lee endured the horrors of molestation, gun violence, the foster care system, and abuse during his tragic childhood. At the age of fifteen, Jason survived a gunshot wound from a drive-by shooting, and witnessed the murder of his brother, Rodney Townsend, at Jason’s going away party at the age of nineteen. For six years, Jason worked in education and probation before landing a position with SEIU in 2006, which took him to Los Angeles. At SEIU, Jason was hired as a union representative and organizer, and eventually was promoted to Staff Director within the Kaiser Permanente division. In 2009, he became a Labor Representative for the California Nurses Association, where he negotiated labor agreements for registered nurses at multiple private sector hospitals before launching his entrepreneurial journey.
In 2015, Lee launched Hollywood Unlocked, a media brand valued at over $50 million. With the launch of his talk show, "The Jason Lee Show," in 2023, Jason continues to be a voice for the culture, and is continuously expanding his platform and reach to impact broader audiences. Recently, Jason was featured in Forbes for his notable contributions to the community and culture, specifically how he spearheaded the launch of a national healthcare initiative called Healthcare Unlocked, in an ambitious effort to provide affordable care to 1,000,000 Americans.
Lee is deeply committed to public service, particularly in his hometown as a person who survived its rough streets, broke through barriers to earn his success today, and now has returned to lead the community, ensuring a better future for Stockton residents. His transformative journey, running for Stockton City Council, combines his entrepreneurial acumen with a passion for positive change. By leveraging his experience to address the needs of his community, it is Lee’s goal to make Stockton a better place to live, grow and thrive. In addition, Jason launched the I Am Ready initiative, in 2023, through his non-profit organization, Hollywood Cares. The initiative is focused on investing in the lives of the youth, through community-led workshops and internship opportunities, further demonstrating his commitment to fostering positive change in Stockton. As he navigates the campaign trail, Jason remains steadfast in his commitment to bring about meaningful change and ensure a brighter future for all people in the Stockton community.