The Filipina force behind African-American billionaire


By Carissa Villacorta
INQUIRER.net
First Posted 16:02:00 01/23/2008


When the young Reginald F. Lewis (RFL) asked his grandmother why his mother left his father, she had replied, " Because he wasn't ambitious enough."

That answer became the pulse of Reginald's life motivation. He worked hard to be the best he could, making sure no wife of his would leave him for not being ambitious enough.

Loida Nicolas-Lewis (LNL) certainly didn't. In fact, fifteen years after he left the world, she's still celebrating his dream and continuing his legacy, most recently through a spectacular black-tie celebration of his 65 th birthday last December 7th at the Reginald F. Lewis Museum of Maryland African American History and Culture in Baltimore.

Lewis blazed a trail in 1987 when he became the first African American to control a billion-dollar, global empire. With almost $2 billion in annual sales, TLC Beatrice International immediately became the nation's top black-owned business, with nearly 10 times the revenue of the second-ranked firm.

"The planning for this dinner incorporates both memories of RFL's past and hope for future generations," said Mrs. Lewis. A special tribute on the life and legacy of Reginald F Lewis was on view, as well as an awarding of the Reginald F. Lewis High School Continuing the Legacy Awards which encouraged grades 9-12 students from the RFL High School of Business and Law to formulate and present business plans towards receiving funding to build their businesses.

The evening's keynote speaker was one of the two African American billionaires, Robert L Johnson, who founded Black Entertainment Television (BET), accounts his successes to "standing on the shoulders of Mr. Lewis." "There is no doubt in my mind that I will not be where I am today were it not for Reginald F Lewis. During the '80s, a number of us were striving to make our way to the top and seemingly banging our heads against a glass ceiling. Then the Beatrice deal went through and afterwards, while it was still tough, we nevertheless knew it was possible to ascend to great heights," he announced.

Tribute to RFL became a tribute to LNL.

"When Reginald brought Loida to our home…she saw our windows and immediately said, 'You got to clean those window sills.' I knew I was going to like her," said Carolyn at the RFL tribute. "Loida is faithful to the family. Other people turn their back."

Goal-oriented, ambitious and generous, Reginald F. Lewis remains a shining example of what can be achieved with hard work and determination. His legacy is made permanent in his hometown of Baltimore, Maryland through the Reginald F. Lewis Museum of Maryland African American History and Culture, the Reginald F. Lewis Center for International Law at Harvard University, the Reginald F. Lewis High School for Business and Law in Maryland, and The Lewis College in Sorsogon, Philippines – his wife's family's home province.

With over $10M dollars donated in Reginald F. Lewis' name, he has given more than what most people would ever make. He was a great force in the African American community. . And the world still learns of and remembers RFL because of LNL.

Bill Cosby said about Reginald Lewis, " He played the hell out of his hand." Loida is playing his cards for him now. And she is still playing a great game.

Reginald and Loida's second daughter Christina altered the tribute program once she was onstage. Expected to speak about her dad, she instead revealed her and her sister's deep love and respect for their mother. "He could have not found anyone better – and he knew that. They have the same values, same humor…and she is loyal."

Reginald's mom concurred at the final speech of the night. Toasting Loida, she said "Reginald would have been delighted to salute you. You keep on going, no matter what."

-first printed in Philippine News


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