JoAnn Lee is a retired New York City Correctional Officer. Once retired she moved to Delaware and established a new foundation.
Growing up in St Nicholas housing projects is where Joanne found her passion for the game of basketball. It was when she moved from apartment 7D, which faced the front of the building to apartment 5A where her window faced St. Nicholas park, (which is from 127th Street to 129th Street and 7th Avenue). This is when she decided, she wanted to play the game that she was growing to love. At that time, as a young girl in Harlem Joanne was unaware that the game she was watching from her window was the beginning of the famous Rucker tournament. Joanne was so inspired by the game that at the age eight years old she took a hanger, shaped it like a hoop and hooked it on to the bathroom door. She used a Spaulding ball, which was actually a hand ball to practice the moves that she observed from the court. Growing up during that time, it was unusual for girls to play basketball. However, Joanne was blessed to have friends like Chicken, Michael, Larry, Butchie, and even her Dad contributed to her ability to learn the game that she loves. Even her soon to be brother in law Ronald challenged her to use her jump shots to improve her skills.
Basketball, was a savior for a young brown girl growing up in the hood and during hard times. Playing for New York City Housing, which was sponsored by Canada Dry is where it all began. She then moved on to play recreational basketball for the sport foundation, each one teach one, AAU, PSAL, PAL, West 4th street call the cage, Cooper JHS, being the captain of Louis D Brandeis HS basketball team and Salem Church Community Center, where she earned many awards. Joanne believes that her love for basketball, softball and track saved her life.
