I Am Debra Lee

A Memoir

By: Debra Lee

Narrated by: Debra Lee

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!

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.

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.

Her side of the story

I read this book because I wanted to hear her side of the story about the sorted affair she had with her married boss. I had read Sheila Johnson's book, so I wanted to give Debra the benefit of the doubt.
Her book was good. I appreciated hearing how she climbed the corporate ladder. it's unfortunate that all her accomplishments were overshadowed by a dismally bad personal choice. Anyways, I'm glad she had the courage to tell her story. I found it insightful & instructive.

Amazing story

Loved it is a memoir and a mentoring moment. Debra offered much advise for all women!

Unapologetically Bold Words

Awesome job Debra Lee. What an inspiring story that was untold and his entirety until this publication I appreciate your candor and transparency about what it means to be at the top alone.BET has an incredible legacy. Glad you were part of it!

“There is always something behind the smile”

Worth the read or listen…good nuggets of wisdom from a black women’s perspective who didn’t always get it right, but didn’t give up…did her best and held on!

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