As the co-founder, publisher and chief executive officer of Essence Communications Partners, Ed Lewis has guided the ongoing prosperity of one of the country's largest African-American-owned 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 32-year journey one that began with a simple dream to publish a magazine for Black women, one that has evolved into a mighty success story in the 21st century.

In October 2000, Essence Communications, Inc., signed an agreement with Time Inc., a subsidiary of AOL Time Warner, to form a joint venture known as Essence Communications Partners. Essence is the majority owner of the venture. Through the years Lewis and his partner, Clarence O. Smith, president emeritus of ECP, have guided the company through diversification and expansion to create divisions focusing on television production, licensing and direct-mail marketing. The company also produces The Essence Awards, the annual award-winning prime-time network special, as well as the Essence Music Festival, the annual three-day celebration of African-American music and culture held in New Orleans.

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. Recently 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.