Debra Lee
Chairman & CEO Emeritus, BET Networks
Honored as one of the most powerful women in the media and entertainment industries, Debra Lee led BET Networks..
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Honored as one of the most powerful women in the media and entertainment industries, Debra Lee led BET Networks to become the largest global company dedicated to African-American programming. She blazed new trails as one of America’s rare African-American female CEOs, growing BET’s brand presence from a network known mostly for music videos to a ratings record-breaker serving a demographic with more than $1.3 trillion in buying power. By her retirement in 2018, BET reached 100 million homes globally. Lee defined the network’s brand mission and increased investment in authentic programming that resonates with Black audiences. These include shows such as The New Edition Story, The Game, Being Mary Jane, The BET Awards, Black Girls Rock!, BET Honors and many others. During three decades in leadership roles, Lee saw BET become the first African-American company to be traded on the New York Stock Exchange (going from $17 to $29 a share on the first day) and be acquired by media giant Viacom for $3 billion in 2001. Today, BET is the leading provider of entertainment not only for the African-American audience, but for consumers of Black culture worldwide.
Ms. Lee’s barrier-breaking journey to the corner office and the ranks of industry power players is as inspiring as her many achievements. Raised in the segregated South, she went on to Brown University and Harvard, earning both a J.D. from Harvard Law School and an M.A. in public policy from the John F. Kennedy School of Government. After clerking for a federal judge and working at a corporate law firm, Lee joined BET in 1986 as Vice President and General Counsel. Ten years later, she was named President and COO. In 2005, Lee was elevated to Chairman and CEO, replacing the network’s founder, Robert L. Johnson. Now Chairman & CEO Emeritus of BET, she is active as a board member, philanthropist, keynote speaker and champion of diversity and women’s leadership. Ms. Lee recently became the fourth female member of the AT&T’s board of directors, and currently serves as a member of the Recording Academy’s task force on diversity and female inclusion, which is charged with identifying the “various barriers and unconscious biases faced by underrepresented communities throughout the music industry.” Since 2010, she has organized Leading Women Defined Summit, an annual invitation-only gathering of the most prominent African-American women. Her summits have included such luminaries as First Lady Michelle Obama and Senator Kamala Harris. Ms. Lee also serves on the corporate Board of Directors of Twitter and Marriott and on the Board of Trustees of nonprofits The Alvin Ailey Dance Company, American Film Institute and Paley Center. She is a Trustee Emeritus at Brown University and Member Emeritus of the FCC’s Advisory Committee on Diversity for Communications in the Digital Age. Ms. Lee is the mother of two grown children that are both in the music industry.
During her 30-plus year career, Ms. Lee was regarded as one of America’s most respected business executives. Her many honors and recognitions include being named one of The Hollywood Reporter’s 100 Most Powerful Women in Entertainment, Billboard’s Power 100 and Adweek’s Disruptors list. She is the first and only woman to receive the Grammy’s Salute to Industry Icons Award on behalf of her contributions to American music and culture. She is a recipient of the EBONY Power 100’s Chairman’s Award and the National Cable & Telecommunications Association’s Leadership Vanguard Award. Ms. Lee has also been inducted into the Broadcasting & Cable Hall of Fame and the American Advertising Hall of Fame.
Sharing an inspiring life story, leadership lessons from the C-suite, valuable insights on managing change and a passion for empowering women and people of color, Debra Lee brings incredible presence to the speaking stage. Her talks on diversity and inclusion are known to not only “point out the elephants in the room,” but motivate action and change. Energizing, authoritative and disarmingly candid, Ms. Lee treats audiences to an unforgettable encounter with one of the most remarkable business leaders of our time.
Testimonials
Ernie was perfect for our Elders Conference at Little River Casino Resort in Manistee, Michigan. We will definitely be using PDA again!
LITTLE RIVER BAND OF OTTAWA INDIANS
Our speaker was great and the crowd enjoyed her! She was very engaging. Thank you again PDA for the great list of suggestions!
MEDTRONIC
Everything went great! and our speaker was wonderful! Thank you so much for all your help PDA! Looking forward to the next one.
UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI – KANSAS CITY
I hope that this message finds you well. We had a phenomenal time with Atsuko this past Thursday. We wanted to just let you know how amazing she was. All those that were in attendance thoroughly enjoyed her and had nothing but amazing things to say about her. Thank you for working with us to make sure this happened!
BAYLOR UNIVERSITY CAMPUS
We had a fantastic day with Inge! She was very engaging with all those that attended. Her personal stories about the holocaust were very special and we were moved that she was willing to share them with everyone. Thank you again, PDA for all your hard work and dedication to make this program such a success!
SALT LAKE COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Dear PDA Group, Thank you so much for your hard work in scheduling our speaker! From the moment we reached out to you the first time, you worked with us on all details and logistics and kept us up-to-date on the progress. Thank you for all your hard work on making our event such a success! We couldn't have done it without you and your team!
SAP COMPANY
Thank you again, Dr. Kimbrough, for a great presentation, our attendees are still talking about it!
CAMPUS LABS
Dr. Henry Lee's presentation was entertaining, insightful and wise. I, and everyone at Pfizer, especially appreciate the remarks you directed about following your passion and preparing yourself to excel. Thank you, everyone, at PDA for helping to make this happen!
PFIZER
The event was successful! I received many messages expressing how awesome, outstanding and inspiring Ms. Webb-Christburg's speech was."
DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. MEMORIAL BREAKFAST, BOSTON, MLK SPEAKER
Everything went well. Atsuko was very easy to work with and the students enjoyed her performance! Thank you again for your recommendation and I hope to work with you again in the future!
CENTRAL MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY
Dr. Novello left this morning after a very successful event on our campus! Thank you PDA Group for your help from the first phone to the last you were with us every step of the way.
GRAND VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY
Jordan Carlos was very very entertaining! A majority of students who answered the event survey indicated they really enjoyed Jordan and definitely will bring him back!
WESTERN CAROLINA UNIVERSITY
On behalf of myself and my organization Entertainment Unlimited the Campus Programming Board of Ferris State University, we thank you PDA and Dan for a successful event!! Dan was magnificent! Students really enjoyed the presentation. I know I did. Can't wait to bring in more programs with PDA Group.
FERRIS STATE UNIVERSITY
It was a great pleasure to work with PDA Group! The communication was always prompt, friendly and helpful. We loved the speakers and events we booked through Mr. Peter Walker (PDA Group).
WESTERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY
Thank you, Peter, for all your help, you'll be happy to know that the event went incredibly well! Aneesa Ferreira was by far one of the best speakers we've ever had!
FURMAN UNIVERSITY
Topics
Getting More Women in the Room: Be Bold, Be Strong, Be Heard!
What Do Men Really Know About Lipstick? Why Diversity is Essential to Successful Brands
Transforming Your Brand: How BET Went from Music Videos to a Global Entertainment Giant
Videos
Debra Lee – Why Diversity is Essential to Successful Brands
BET: Leading a Company and a Community - Debra Lee
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