The Man from Essence - 9781476703480

In this remarkable life story, Essence magazine cofounder and philanthropist Ed Lewis tells how he rose to become one of America’s premier publishers and entrepreneurs.

Ed Lewis grew up in a South Bronx neighborhood plagued by drugs and violence. Nonetheless, his parents ingrained in him a strong determination and work ethic that served him for years to come. After graduating from high school, Lewis received a football scholarship to attend the University of New Mexico, where he was one of twelve black students on a campus of more than 8,000. It was during the height of the American civil rights movement—a defining moment for America as well as Lewis. Yet his dreams surpassed the roadblocks, and after graduating from college, he landed a job in New York City and steadily rose through the ranks in the financial industry. More than anything, it was his desire to start his own business—a uniquely black business—that drove him forward.

In 1969, Lewis made his mark on America’s magazine industry, starting Essence magazine with cofounder Clarence Smith, another young black businessman from the Bronx. Initially the magazine opened with a modest print run of 50,000 copies, but it has now grown into what The New York Times called the “pre-eminent voice for black women,” with a readership of more than 7.5 million.

The Man from Essence is more than a rags-to-riches story: It tells how the idea of the “Essence woman” permeated American culture; how all the high drama, hijinks, and challenges brought on by thirty-five years in magazine publishing were not enough to keep Lewis away from the business; and how he became one of the greatest entrepreneurs of his generation. Ultimately, it is the story of how Black men and women defied the odds, shaped history—and it proves that Lewis's success was no accident.