Celebration of Dr. Jesse J. Lewis's 100th Birthday
On January 3, 2025, Dr. Jesse J. Lewis Sr. marked an incredible milestone by celebrating his 100th birthday in Birmingham, Alabama. Known for his resilience and significant contributions to the community, Dr. Lewis’s life is a testament to hard work and ambition. From founding The Birmingham Times to launching the first Black-owned advertising agency in the U.S., his legacy spans education, business, and community engagement. Despite personal losses, he remains focused on inspiring future generations and cherishing every moment, proving that age is merely a number.
What a remarkable milestone for the vibrant city of Birmingham! As the clock struck midnight on January 3, 2025, Dr. Jesse J. Lewis Sr. celebrated his 100th birthday. His story is not just about reaching a century but about continually looking forward to the future instead of dwelling on past accomplishments. For the residents of Smithfield, Alabama, Lewis is a living legend, a man whose life has been a tapestry woven with hard work, resilience, and unyielding ambition.
Dr. Lewis has made Smithfield his home for nearly fifty years, but he remains humble about his extraordinary life. Although his wife expressed a desire to throw a grand party to celebrate this momentous occasion, Lewis declined, preferring a quiet day instead. This high school dropout didn’t let obstacles define him; he went on to earn not one but five academic degrees, including a doctorate. His educational journey has been as inspiring as his professional one.
From 1978 to 1987, Lewis held the prestigious position of president of Lawson State Community College in Alabama. Besides academia, he has dabbled in nearly every sector imaginable, having owned or been involved with at least 17 different businesses. His entrepreneurial ventures have spread across real estate, music publishing, radio and television stations, and even golf courses! Most notably, he founded The Birmingham Times newspaper in 1963, a publication that has served the community for decades.
In 1954, Lewis launched the **first Black-owned public relations and advertising agency** in the U.S. – a groundbreaking achievement for the time. He made waves in the advertising world with one of his first clients, the Coca-Cola Beverage Company, where he created the **first advertisement featuring a Black individual**. This landmark project not only showcased his innovative spirit but also paved the way for greater representation in advertising.
As if his career wasn’t impressive enough, Lewis has received numerous honors and accolades. He was recently inducted into the **University of Alabama’s Communication Hall of Fame** in 2024 and into the **National Association of Black Journalists Hall of Fame** in 2023. Additionally, in 2022, he received a **Lifetime Achievement Award** from the Vulcan Park Foundation, a testament to his invaluable contributions to the community.
Dr. Lewis’s daily routine reflects his love for knowledge and community engagement. He typically starts his day between **9 and 9:30 a.m.** with a hearty breakfast, basking in conversation about current events or sports with his wife. Known for his sweet tooth, he enjoys indulging in **Neapolitan ice cream** and prefers to retire for the night around **6 to 7 p.m.** It’s a simple yet rich routine for a man who has experienced so much.
Lewis’s journey has not been without heartache. He openly acknowledges the painful loss of his beloved wife, Helen, and both of his sons. This chapter of his life took him nearly a year to recover from, but Lewis found love again and remarried Brenda Dickerson in February 2023. Their relationship blossomed through meaningful conversations, where he taught her the essence of being a devoted partner while showcasing his romantic side.
In all his success, Lewis firmly believes in the power of **economics for community acceptance**. As he reminisces about his past, his focus lies on future opportunities—continuing to engage with his community, invest in education, and inspire the next generation of leaders. While he may prefer an intimate gathering for celebrations, the people of Birmingham recognize the monumental impact he has made.
So, as Birmingham embraces another year, it also honors a centenarian whose life story is one of resilience and contribution. Dr. Jesse J. Lewis Sr. embodies the spirit of success, proving that age is just a number when your heart is set on shaping the future.
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