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Edward Lewis has guided the ongoing prosperity of one of the country’s largest African-American multi-media organizations. His business career is one of the great entrepreneurial success stories of the last half-century, and he has devoted an immeasurable amount of time and resources to support his community and uplift others. It has been a 37-year journey one that began with a simple dream to publish a magazine for Black women; one that has evolved into a mighty pilgrimage into the twenty-first century. Through the years Lewis and his former partner, Clarence O. Smith, have guided the company through diversification and expansion to create divisions focusing on television production, licensing and direct-mail marketing. Today, ESSENCE is regarded as the country’s leading lifestyle magazine for African-American women. The company produces the Essence Music Festival, the annual celebration of African-American music and culture held in New Orleans. It also has brand licensing agreements for Essence Eyewear and Essence Books. ESSENCE ranked seventh on Advertising Age’s 2003 A-List, which is the first time that an African-American targeted publication has received this honor. Lewis’ stellar professional success is matched only by his personal passion and commitment to our society’s issues and causes. He is a strong advocate of civil rights and community involvement and contributes both personal time and financial support to a number of civic, educational and arts organizations. He has been a leader in the rallying cry against the injustices of police brutality, calling on government officials, civic leaders and members of the community to help build and cultivate an atmosphere of mutual respect between police officers and the citizens they serve. In April 2003, Lewis received a honorary doctorate of letters from his alma mater, The University of New Mexico. In 1968 Lewis founded Essence Communications Inc. The magazine’s first issue was launched in May 1970. In October 2000, Essence Communications, Inc., signed an agreement with Time Inc., a subsidiary of Time Warner Inc., to form a joint venture known as Essence Communications Partners. ESSENCE was the majority owner of the venture. In March 2005, Time Inc. acquired the portion of Essence Communications it did not already own. | 