I Am Debra Lee

A Memoir

By: Debra Lee

Narrated by: Debra Lee

Length: 9 hrs and 8 mins

Publisher's summary

A riveting memoir by the former CEO of Black Entertainment Television (BET), about the glamorous and ugly moments of being a high-powered Black woman executive in the entertainment industry.

As an incredible glass-ceiling breaker and the woman who brought timeless television shows like The Game and Being Mary Jane to cable, Debra Lee has been the visionary responsible for elevating Black images and storytelling for decades. Now she’s telling her own story, in an intimate and eye-opening tale about the triumphant and tricky moments of a career in entertainment.

I Am Debra Lee is binge-worthy, filled with deeply personal revelations, juicy celebrity intel, and electrifying behind-the-scenes stories that reveal how she went from a girl raised in the segregated South to leading the first Black company traded on the New York Stock Exchange and how she juggled social responsibility while managing a company targeted toward the Black community. In a rousing narrative, Lee writes: “I don’t just love Black culture—the magic in our hair, the swagger in our steps, the particular way we can say ‘alright now’ to fit our changing moods—Black culture saved me.” In her exciting debut, she answers all of our questions about building an unapologetically Black enterprise as a Black woman. What to do when you’re forced to attend a board meeting eight weeks after a C-section. How to manage a team of men when you’re the first female CEO at the company. How she learned the hard way to say no to those in power when their vision didn’t align with her purpose.

I Am Debra Lee tackles lessons that women CEOs rarely dare to. She addresses her personal struggles with motherhood and “having it all,” navigating reproductive choice, fertility, and #MeToo while achieving great professional success. Being Black and a woman in corporate life isn’t easy for anyone. But Lee shows how she evolved from a shy girl who dreaded public speaking to becoming a force to be reckoned with as she helped build the leading entertainment company for Black audiences and consumers of Black culture globally.

​I Am Debra Lee is a must-hear for all strivers in any industry. Lee is a truthteller about the critical choices that Black leaders face. As she has done her whole career, in this book, she opens the door for others to come after her, by sharing the truth behind her own inspiring story of power, perseverance, and success.

©2023 Debra Lee (P)2023 Legacy Lit

Raw Vulnerable Real

Excellent advice for growing leaders and her vulnerability is admirable. Highly recommend this book especially for women leaders!

Debra Lee has a real story

I have a deeper appreciation of Debra Lee's work, worth ethic and strength. Her stories of growing up, making waves and forgiveness is one that needs to be shared.

Excellent

The read was consistent with most of what we knew. However the eye opening experiences that Mrs Lee encountered were extreme. But so was what she did to Sheila Johnson Bob's wife. Mrs Lee should've apologized publicly!

Disappointed

Definitely a good story, my only disappointment is the situation with Bob Johnson. But her tenacity, loyalty, and persistence are to be commended. She was definitely a staple at BET and I’m glad she is now enjoying her flowers!

Nuggets Dropped More Than Anything Else

Fueled with nuggets and courage to become a female leader in this male dominated field. For far too long we've had to retrieve wisdom from men about leadership. To have the opportunity for a woman, especially a woman of color share her story is much appreciated and needed. Thank you Ms. Lee for your truth and bravery. Thank you for your Trailblazing efforts to help the next black woman prepare to lead where we are constantly told that we can't and won't. We see ourselves in executive suites AND seats because of your unwavering ability to lead.

A eye-opening tale of workplace misogyny

There were so many times where I was conflicted between thinking was she SO ambitious to the point of allowing herself to be “groomed” by Bob Johnson and being completely taken aback by the methodical, narcissistic, blatant power trip Bob Johnson was on. The dynamics of their years of working together & relationship was so intertwined that it was even blurred anymore it was a way of life. There were so many nuggets to take away from this story for women.

Great Read

Debra led quite an interesting life with various twists & turns! She was very candid and that was a good thing.

Amazing story —inspiring and empowering with insight on her leadership journey in the c suite.

Amazing story —inspiring and empowering with insight on her leadership journey in the c suite.

Amazing Book

Thank you Ms. Lee for your honesty, Your story is one many women can be uplifted and inspired by.

she really lets you in

Listened on an intercountry drive and was so interesting. she really let you in. such an interesting and beautiful story.