Sikina Ann Lee was born and raised in St. Louis, MO. She was a member of YouthBuild St. Louis' second graduating class in 1993, and she was the recipient of the "Outstanding Student Award" for being the only female in her class and becoming the foreman of her crew.
After YouthBuild, Ms. Lee attended Ranken Technical College in St. Louis, where she received her Associate of Architectural Technology Degree in 1996. Upon graduating from Ranken, she began working at Abdelmalek & Associates, an engineering firm, and was the only African-American employed by the firm. While with Abdelmalek, Ms. Lee was nominated and awarded the "Most Extraordinary Ordinary Person of the Year Award," the first-ever recipient in the state of Missouri.
After four years at Abdelmalek, Ms. Lee worked for Pyramid Architects as an architectural drafter and CAD-operator from 2000-2001.
In April 2001, Ms. Lee decided to give back to the community and take on the role of an AmeriCorps*VISTA volunteer at the sponsor organization of YouthBuild St. Louis, Youth Education and Health in Soulard (YEHS), a nonprofit community service organization. Since then, Ms. Lee has created a first-time homebuyer financial literacy program, been trained to supervise lead abatement programs, has assisted with YouthBuild St. Louis alumni events, and helped to open the YouthBuild St. Louis Charter High School. She is currently in her third year of service with YEHS and plans to pursue her bachelor's degree in Architecture.
Ms. Lee is an active board member of both The Human Development Corporation in St. Louis and YouthBuild USA.
Ms. Lee is the mother of five successful, healthy children and currently resides in St. Louis.
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