3Hmong TV - Mitch Lee
or Mitch Lee (Txooj Cawv Lis), the adrenaline of the broadcast began long before the cameras started rolling at his East Side studio. Born in Xiengkhoung, Laos, and now a resident of Maplewood, the 55-year-old media pioneer has spent decades documenting the Hmong experience, turning a childhood fascination with Thai television into a cornerstone of community journalism.
Lee is the founder of 3 Hmoob TV, a station operating out of 475 Etna Street in Saint Paul. Originally named "I am Hmong TV," Lee rebranded the initiative to "3 Hmoob TV" (Peb Hmoob) to reflect a more inclusive mission. "I am Hmong, You are Hmong, We are Hmong," Lee explained, emphasizing that the platform belongs to the entire community.
The journey to the screen was not an easy one. Despite a passion for videography that dates back to his high school years in 1985, Lee faced significant pressure to pursue a more traditional, profitable career. He spent 20 years in the corporate world working with computers before finally deciding to quit and pursue his love for media full-time.
"In my family, I was the only one that liked it," Lee said, noting that while siblings were discouraging, his wife remained his steadfast supporter. "If you really want it, there will be some day that you can do it again. This persistence kept me going." The technological hurdles were equally daunting. In the early days of the station, before high-speed internet was ubiquitous, Lee invested heavily in IPTV boxes and licensing—a move that resulted in significant financial loss when the technology was quickly eclipsed by the modern web. However, Lee viewed these setbacks as part of the "trial and error" necessary to achieve his dream of broadcast-quality live television.
Today, those dreams have materialized. Once a "one-man band" who doubted he could ever compete with million-dollar stations, Lee now successfully broadcasts live events on the spot. His first major live attempt occurred during the Hmong New Year at the Xcel Energy Center between 2012 and 2015; today, he has refined the technology to achieve the "broadcast quality" he once only imagined. Beyond the technology, Lee finds his greatest fulfillment in the people. He views his archives—some dating back to 1995—as priceless historical records of elders and community leaders who are no longer with us.
"We live in a world with the internet... but we still can’t capture all the stories," Lee said. "It needs to be someone who actually enjoys it."
His dedication has not gone unnoticed. In June 2025, Lee received the Northern Lights Achievement Award from Ramsey County for his work in community collaboration.
Looking toward the future, Lee sees 3 Hmoob TV as his lasting legacy. He is currently looking for a successor who shares his vision to carry the station forward. "I am willing to put my time to invest in someone who has my vision and goals to run this business for me," he said. "I hope that 5 to 10 years more, it will be even better."