Sean Lee, the Founder and President of Respect Your Freedom was born and raised in Boston, MA, specifically in the Dorchester and Mattapan areas. As a youth, he attended Boston Public Schools before entering M.E.T.C.O.; a state-funded, voluntary, educational desegregation program designed to eliminate racial imbalance through bussing. 

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Sean grew up listening to music and fell in love with the hip hop culture.  He spent countless hours djing and making mixed tapes. He also had a strong passion for sports, in particular basketball. He played in backyards, neighborhood courts, parks, schools, or wherever he could find a hoop. 

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As his teen years approached, he opted to enroll back into the Boston Public Schools in hopes of spending more time with friends. This decision however led to more time spent in areas surrounded by crime and violence, resulting in a loss of interest in school while simultaneously gaining an infatuation with the street life and all that came with it, which ultimately led him to prison.  He is currently serving two consecutive life sentences without the possibility of parole under the joint venture theory. The joint venture theory states that a person can be convicted of murder even if they never killed or intended to kill anyone. Unfortunately, this is the theory that was used to convict Sean in his case. 

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After Sean accepted his new reality of life behind bars without the possibility of parole, he recognized that there were still plenty of hurdles to overcome in pursuit of personal growth. He took the initiative to complete several programs that foster personal growth. Of all the programs completed, the most notable would be the completion of his cancer treatments in radiation oncology at Emerson Hospital and his baptism as he gave his life back to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. 

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Over the years he has bestowed wisdom on those provided the opportunity to rejoin society and leaves them with a simple slogan, “Respect Your Freedom”. The goal of this saying is to imbed the thought in others to choose a better way, a better life, and to live life to its fullest potential while fulfilling their dreams. Sean proclaims, “that’s the benefit of respecting your freedom, having the ability to do whatever you want without taking your liberties for granted’. It has been a testimony of those that have rejoined society that these three words rang in their mind as they navigate the complexities of life while rebuilding their lives. Building on this notion and movement, Sean decided to create a space that would provide resources for those at risk of incarceration, incarcerated individuals, and for those individuals reentering society. 

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While Sean has been dedicated to positive change behind bars, after 34 years of incarceration a new ruling opened an opportunity for Sean to regain his freedom. In 2024, the Mattis decision by the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court (SJC) deemed unconstitutional mandatory sentences of life in prison without possibility of parole for individuals convicted of first-degree murder if they were 20 years old or younger at the time of the offense. This decision is retroactive, meaning anyone meeting this criteria will become eligible for a hearing before the parole board. 

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As Sean prepares for his next steps towards freedom, he continues to be involved in programs that fosters personal growth and community advancement. Sean has decided to turn the pain of incarceration into passion to help others as he continues to encourage them to respect their freedom.