Survive and Advance

“This powerful memoir chronicles Lewis’s remarkable journey from a challenging childhood in 1970s Washington, DC, to becoming a transformative corporate leader and advocate for social change. With unflinching honesty and compelling narrative skills, Lewis weaves together accounts of personal struggles, professional triumphs, and breakdowns of hard-won convictions to create an inspiring roadmap for achieving success without compromising one’s values or identity.” –Booklife Editor’s Pick

“Throughout, Lewis links his personal journey to broader themes of collective social progress … Inspiring and insightful, Survive and Advance shows how individual success can create ripple effects of positive change across communities and institutions.” –Blueink Starred Review

“I’ve had the honor of working with my man Derek Lewis and witnessing firsthand his unwavering dedication to uplifting HBCUs, student-athletes, and our broader culture. This book is a testament to his passion, his wisdom, and his relentless pursuit of excellence. Derek’s impact on our community is immeasurable, and his ability to inspire a new generation to reach for greatness is truly remarkable.” –Coach Prime (Deion Sanders), NFL Hall of Famer and New York Times-bestselling author of Elevate and Dominate

“Derek Lewis’s Survive and Advance is an inspirational and authentic account of how, against all odds, you can use early life challenges to fuel overwhelming success. His raw honesty is captivating, and his steely determination, love of family, entrepreneurial spirit, and desire to make a difference are remarkable. Bravo, Derek, for sharing your bold journey to the top, and for climbing!” –Darrell K. Williams, President of Hampton University

“Derek Lewis’s journey is nothing short of inspiring, and his unwavering commitment to excellence shines through every page. As someone who has had the privilege of working closely with Derek, I can attest to his incredible vision and leadership. This book is not just a memoir; it’s an invaluable resource filled with lessons on resilience, determination, and Black excellence. I wholeheartedly believe it will inspire and empower many.” –Pinky Cole Hayes, Founder and CEO of Slutty Vegan

“Derek Lewis is an extraordinarily brilliant mind and equally a reverential leader that served his community throughout his astonishing career. This book chronicles his life journey, which was so aspiring and fascinating that once I started reading it, I could not put it down until I finished. Derek’s name truly rings as one of the great innovators and leaders of our community, and this book is a perfect read for a blueprint on how to survive and advance!” –Charles McClelland, Commissioner of the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC)

“As someone who has not only witnessed but also walked alongside Derek Lewis in both personal and professional realms, I am thrilled to endorse his debut book, Survive and Advance: Lessons on Living a Life without Compromise. This book is a road map for living a life of integrity, resilience, and unwavering commitment to one’s values. Derek’s journey from the challenging streets of Washington, DC, to the heights of corporate America is a testament to what is possible when you refuse to compromise on what truly matters. Whether you’re facing personal challenges or striving for professional success, Derek’s insights and experiences offer invaluable lessons that can guide you. I truly believe that Survive and Advance is a valuable resource for anyone looking to make a meaningful impact without losing sight of their principles.” –Derrick Hayes, Founder and CEO of Big Dave’s Cheesesteaks

“Derek Lewis’s leadership insights are truly transformative. Drawing from his extensive experience as a long-time executive at PepsiCo, Derek combines a unique blend of empathy and business acumen that sets him apart. His commitment to nurturing and empowering his team, while relentlessly driving for exceptional business results, is a testament to his exceptional leadership qualities. Derek’s diverse approach to leadership not only inspires but also delivers tangible success, making him an invaluable voice in the business world.” –Alex Martins, CEO of the Orlando Magic

“Advancement and adversity are strange-yet-familiar bedfellows. At times one propels the other, and at other times one prevents the other. Survival is often understood as a state of being no one should stay in for too long, but I offer that for those who came before us, survival was one of the sharpest tools in their leadership kit, and as a result survival manifested as what we can enjoy as thrival. My friend Derek Lewis advanced adversity and bequeathed the privilege of surviving in its new form, thriving. As I always say, #TakeNotesDoItBetter. The human story presented in this book is now the floor of what is possible for you. Suit up!” –Caroline Wanga, President and CEO of Essence Ventures and author of I’m Highly Percent Sure

“A rousing memoir about achieving personal and corporate success, Survive and Advance is about rising in the business world and pressing for social change.” –Foreword Clarion Reviews

”[Derek Lewis] details his experiences in a way that’s warm, approachable, and actionable for anyone looking to follow in his footsteps.” –Entrepreneur

“It’s also one of the more personal leadership books you’ll likely read this year. In it, Lewis recounts the story of his rise from a difficult childhood to the upper echelons of PepsiCo’s management team. Striving for more, Lewis devoted the later stages of his career to helping other leaders build more inclusive and resilient organizations. Lewis shares many insights he developed along the way, creating an experiential guide for anyone seeking to make a lasting, positive impact on the teams they lead.” –Forbes

Derek Lewis is a strategic thought leader with extensive experience leading large-scale operations, driving sustainable growth, spearheading transformation, developing people, and inspiring change within communities. He’s also a kid who grew up in Washington DC in the 1970s, protecting his younger brothers from hardship and abuse, and learning how to survive and advance in life.

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