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'''Jesse J. Lewis, Sr''' (born [[January 3]], [[1925]] in [[Tuscaloosa]]) is the founder of the ''[[Birmingham Times]]'' and a political and public relations consultant.
'''Jesse J. Lewis, Sr''' (born [[January 3]], [[1925]] in [[Tuscaloosa]]) is the founder of the ''[[Birmingham Times]]'' and a political and public relations consultant.


Lewis dropped out of high school to enlist in the U. S. Army during [[World War II]]. After his discharge he completed high school and then earned a bachelor's degree in business administration at [[Miles College]]. He also studied at the [[University of Alabama]] and New York University.
Lewis dropped out of high school to enlist in the U. S. Army during [[World War II]]. After his discharge he completed high school and then earned a bachelor's degree in business administration at [[Miles College]]. He also studied at the [[University of Alabama]] and New York University and earned a master's at Troy State University and a doctorate at Atlanta University. He and his wife, [[Helen Lewis|Helen]] have two sons.


He founded the [[Jesse J. Lewis and Associates]] marketing firm in [[1954]], with offices at 1522 [[4th Avenue North]]. After selling the successful business to his younger son [[Jesse Lewis, Jr|Jesse, Jr]], he planned the launch of a national entertainment magazine called ''[[Showtime]]'', which he sold before getting it off the ground.
He founded the [[Jesse J. Lewis and Associates]] marketing firm in [[1954]], with offices at 1522 [[4th Avenue North]]. After selling the successful business to his younger son [[Jesse Lewis, Jr|Jesse, Jr]], he planned the launch of a national entertainment magazine called ''[[Showtime]]'', which he sold before getting it off the ground.


In [[1964]] Lewis founded the weekly ''Birmingham Times'' with a long-term advertising commitment from [[Bruno's]] supermarkets. Despite criticism for the paper's right-leaning editorials (Lewis endorsed [[George Wallace]] for Governor and both Presidents Bush), it was successful. Lewis sold the paper to his older son, [[James Lewis (publisher)|James]], in [[1998]]<!--or 1975 or 1995?-->.
In [[1964]] Lewis founded the weekly ''Birmingham Times'' with a long-term advertising commitment from [[Bruno's]] supermarkets. Despite criticism for the paper's right-leaning editorials (Lewis endorsed [[George Wallace]] for Governor and both Presidents Bush), it was successful. Lewis sold the paper to his older son, [[James Lewis (publisher)|James]], in [[1994]]<!--or 1975 or 1995 or 1998?-->.
 
Lewis was a partner in the first Black-owned [[Walgreen's]] drug store in Alabama and founded the [[Lewis Mortgage Investment Company]].


In [[1975] Lewis was appointed to succeed [[Bob Simpson]] as head Alabama's Office of Highway and Traffic Safety, the first African American to serve in Governor [[George Wallace]]'s cabinet. He was charged by federal investigators of bid-rigging and mail fraud in connection with the sale of ambulances to local governments, but was acquitted at trial in [[1981]].
In [[1975] Lewis was appointed to succeed [[Bob Simpson]] as head Alabama's Office of Highway and Traffic Safety, the first African American to serve in Governor [[George Wallace]]'s cabinet. He was charged by federal investigators of bid-rigging and mail fraud in connection with the sale of ambulances to local governments, but was acquitted at trial in [[1981]].

Revision as of 11:29, 28 March 2015

Jesse J. Lewis, Sr (born January 3, 1925 in Tuscaloosa) is the founder of the Birmingham Times and a political and public relations consultant.

Lewis dropped out of high school to enlist in the U. S. Army during World War II. After his discharge he completed high school and then earned a bachelor's degree in business administration at Miles College. He also studied at the University of Alabama and New York University and earned a master's at Troy State University and a doctorate at Atlanta University. He and his wife, Helen have two sons.

He founded the Jesse J. Lewis and Associates marketing firm in 1954, with offices at 1522 4th Avenue North. After selling the successful business to his younger son Jesse, Jr, he planned the launch of a national entertainment magazine called Showtime, which he sold before getting it off the ground.

In 1964 Lewis founded the weekly Birmingham Times with a long-term advertising commitment from Bruno's supermarkets. Despite criticism for the paper's right-leaning editorials (Lewis endorsed George Wallace for Governor and both Presidents Bush), it was successful. Lewis sold the paper to his older son, James, in 1994.

Lewis was a partner in the first Black-owned Walgreen's drug store in Alabama and founded the Lewis Mortgage Investment Company.

In [[1975] Lewis was appointed to succeed Bob Simpson as head Alabama's Office of Highway and Traffic Safety, the first African American to serve in Governor George Wallace's cabinet. He was charged by federal investigators of bid-rigging and mail fraud in connection with the sale of ambulances to local governments, but was acquitted at trial in 1981.

Governor Wallace, normally an ex-officio member of the Alabama Board of Education, chaired a 1978 meeting at which Lewis was appointed to serve as president of Lawson State Technical College.

In 1995, Lewis founded a new consulting firm, the Lewis Group. He currently is under contract as a consultant for the BJCC.

References

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