Long before he became a Morehouse Man, Malik S. Lee ’03 understood the power of giving.
Tithing is a fundamental principle of his Christian faith. When he was small, his grandmother would place a single dollar in his hand for the church collection plate at the Greater Allen A.M.E. Cathedral of New York in Jamaica, Queens.
Later, when he began working on his own, she insisted that he continue to tithe from his earnings. That grounding shaped his journey at Morehouse College and beyond.
His first contribution to Morehouse was a modest $25 gift he made near graduation to show his appreciation for the opportunities and education he received. It was a humble start to the legacy he planned to create.
From that seed, his philanthropy grew.
Lee had already overcome steep odds to reach where he was. High school counselors had told him he was not college material, and his SAT scores fell short of the minimum threshold. But with recommendations from the Honorable Dorita Clarke, a New York legislator, and former U.S. Congressman Rev. Dr. Floyd H. Flake, Morehouse took a chance on him and admitted him on academic probation. Through three major changes, three jobs at a time, and grueling semesters, Lee persevered and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in finance in 2003.
He built a career spanning mortgage finance and wealth advisory at Merrill Lynch, then launched his own firm. He is a Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy (CAP) and the founder of Felton & Peel Wealth Management—named in honor of his late parents.
Lee always made it a priority to donate to Morehouse annually, adding more to his contribution until it reached $1,000 and $2,000 increments, an item written into his household budget. Over time, he solidified his dedication to Morehouse by becoming a lifetime member of both the local and national Morehouse alumni chapters.
When Morehouse called for its inaugural Planned Giving Council, he stepped forward immediately. Lee observed that while alumni loved Mother Morehouse, few included the College in their estate plans—a missed opportunity common across Historically Black Colleges and Universities.
“To thrive, an institution must have a diversified portfolio: annual gifts under $10,000, major gifts between $10,000 and $100,000, and planned gifts of $100,000 and above,” Lee explains.
“Planned giving is a low-cost way of making a big impact. It is imperative if the College is to remain stable and grow its endowment.”
When the College celebrated the milestone of its 800 New Donors Campaign, Lee welcomed the achievement as a sign of momentum, recognizing that steady participation across all levels moves the needle. He is working to educate his brothers to expand their thinking about giving back to Morehouse and how they contribute, so more will also consider planned giving.
“Consistent giving, no matter how much you start with, is what allows the College to plan for its future,” he said. “If you give of your time, talent, and treasure, both the College and you win.”
He is working to educate his brothers to expand their thinking about giving back to Morehouse and how they contribute, so more will also consider planned giving.
Lee applied that advice to diversify his own portfolio. Recognizing that he did not need hundreds of thousands in immediate cash to make an enduring mark, he leveraged his recurring contributions. By directing $2,000 annually into a life insurance policy, he transformed what would have accumulated to $150,000 across a 40-year horizon into an immediate $250,000 planned estate gift for the College.
When completing the documentation to designate how the funds should be allocated, Lee bypassed requests for naming rights or special restrictions. Instead, he took his pen and wrote simply in all caps: STAY OPEN.
“I don’t need a building or scholarship named for me,” Lee says. “I don’t need accolades. Just keep the promise of educating Black men alive and well. That’s all I ask.”