A visit to the Hamptons outside of New York is reminiscent of a scene from a Hollywood movie classic. All of the elements are there — the winding roads to elaborate ocean front estates, the spare-no-expense garden parties, guests in white summer linen — and the ostentatious wealth — it is everything that you’ve heard. But what was different about the Reginald F. Lewis Foundation Gala Luncheon in East Hampton, N.Y. was that these well-heeled business and social elites were there to raise money and honor the achievements of African American entrepreneurs.
On Saturday, June 25, Loida Lewis, wife of Reggie Lewis hosted the affair to celebrate her late husband, first black billionaire Reginald F. Lewis, and promote his legacy of African American achievement in business. Mrs. Lewis also urged guests to get to support the Reginald F. Lewis Museum of African American History and Culture. The museum is an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institute and is located in Lewis’ hometown of Baltimore, Maryland.
The afternoon soiree, with a surprisingly ethnic menu of fried chicken, barbecue ribs and cognac provided the prelude to an equally cultural fund raising program which included remarks by attorney and television celebrity Star Jones, music by jazz keyboardist Marcus Johnson, DJ M.O.S. on the turntables and a performance by students of the Harlem School of the Arts.
Professor Frank E. A. Sander, co-director of the Harvard Law School Program for Dispute resolution received the Millennium member Award, while Eugene A. Profit was recognized with the Reginald F. Lewis Award. Mrs. Lewis spoke with rolling out at the close of this very important event.
Loida Lewis on the Reginald. F. Lewis Foundation …
We established the foundation to support education, especially for people of color. [My husband] knew that education was the way out of poverty. And then we also worked on addressing diseases and health issues that effect African Americans, particularly HIV, AIDS and sickle cell anemia. And he also had a keen interest in the arts which he loved. So these are the things he wanted to support, but he wanted to do it on the level of white philanthropy so he established the foundation, with his own money. … He always raised the bar for everyone to follow.
What’s next …
I am very concerned that there are more young men African American men in jail than in college. That is shameful for America, the number on country in the world. So right now, I am supporting an experimental four- week program in Detroit where the drop out rate is 50 per cent. We are working with a program for a summer camp for 30 kids who are either juvenile delinquents or failing high school, so essentially on their way to prison.
What’s in the works …
The movie and the documentary. … I bought the house that he wanted, I finished the book and I have finished all of his work except for the movie.
On being a powerful woman…
Being Catholic and being raised in the Phillipines, I have faith that God will not forsake me. So, I just hold to that and walk one step at a time and know that God will always be there.
