I Am Debra Lee

A Memoir

De: Debra Lee

Narrado por: Debra Lee

From the former CEO of Black Entertainment Television (BET), a riveting "must-read" memoir about the glamorous and ugly moments of being a high-powered Black female executive in the entertainment industry (Alicia Keys).

Debra Lee has been the visionary responsible for elevating Black images and storytelling for decades with timeless television shows like The Game and Being Mary Jane. Now she’s telling her own story, in a page-turner filled with 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 towards the Black community.

Lee answers all of our questions about building an unapologetically Black enterprise as a Black woman. I Am Debra Lee addresses her personal struggles with motherhood and “having it all,” navigating reproductive choice, fertility, and #MeToo. 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.

“Debra Lee is a force! I love her candor and vulnerability within these pages. I Am Debra Lee is designed to make an impact.” –Alicia Keys

“I was glued to Debra’s every word in this memoir.”–Taraji P. Henson

Raw Vulnerable Real

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

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!

Honesty & leadership

The candor she shared on the good and not so favorable parts of her journey.

Must read for black women leaders

As a black woman leader in America, I found this book very helpful. Hearing about the challenges, wins and decisions Debra Lee navigated while climbing the corporate ladder in America felt like getting advice from a mentor and Auntie.

Insider Story Telling

Wow, I never knew the BET backstory.
Thank You Debra Lee for being vulnerable. #Legacy

Wow, Great Storytelling

I learned so much and who would've known otherwise if this book didn't exist? Highly recommend for all the corporate girls of color!

The Struggles of Women Climbing The Ladder..

This was a great listen. Hearing how Debra Lee climbed the corporate ladder in spite of the “good old boys” club is inspiring. Putting in the long hours and hard work definitely paid off, but most of all- she found out who she was!

Honesty about life on the way and at the top

I really liked her story. The doubts, the insecurity whilst being a high powered executive had me screaming in my head.. why did you stay? Why not say no? But then you realize that in reality we often don’t know our superpower and own worth. Hers is a story of doubt, achievement reckoning, mistakes and acceptance. I wholeheartedly recommend.

Powerful & Relatable

I love autobiographies. Especially from dynamic women who came slightly ahead of me, who help me better understand my own path and choices. Debra Lee’s autobiography was that for me. Her rise in BET was because of her academic and legal mind. That resonated with me as a woman who went to law school to work in the arts and entertainment in the late 90’s. Debra Lee put into words, through her experiences what myself and many women I knew at that time felt. We didn’t have internet and social media to share widely and connect like we do now. Debra’s words at many points in the book felt like a nod and affirmation of what myself and many women felt. I’m sure many are here to hear what Ms. Lee had to say about her BET days…what took away from that is how Debra Lee helped shape an iconic brand-no matter what public opinion is. If you want to take it as far and connect her words to those of Shiela Johnson’s book, you’ll get a picture of how two dynamic Black women helped to create an iconic Black media giant. (And there’s the personal stuff with Mr. Johnson) However, that’s only a piece of Debra Lee’s story. I walked away with a better understanding of her as a woman, business leader, friend and mother.

Amazing Book

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