Reginald F. Lewis Scholars
The 91Ö±²¥ is one of nine institutions within the University of Louisiana System. The University of Louisiana System created the which is designed to enhance the collegiate experience of black male students in the System. Specifically, the Reginald F. Lewis Scholars Program will recruit black males and provide educational programs, mentoring opportunities, and co-curricular experiences to improve outcomes.
Each cohort will comprise two students chosen from each University of Louisiana System member institution for a total of 18 members each year who will grow and learn together over the course of three academic years.
Who is Reginald F. Lewis?
Reginald F. Lewis, was an American businessman. He was one of the richest black American men in the 1980s, and the first black American to build a billion-dollar company, TLC Beatrice International Holdings Inc.
In 1965, the Rockefeller Foundation funded a summer school program at Harvard Law School to introduce a select number of black students to legal studies. Reginald lobbied for his acceptance and got in.
He made such an impression that Lewis was invited to attend Harvard Law School that fall—the only person in the 148-year history of the school to be admitted before applying. His senior year thesis on mergers and acquisitions received an honors grade.
After graduation (HLS ‘68), Lewis landed a job practicing corporate law with a prestigious New York law firm. Two years later he, along with a few others, set up Wall Street’s first African American law firm.
Lewis focused on corporate law, structuring investments in minority-owned businesses and became special counsel to major corporations like General Foods and Equitable Life (now AXA).
Mr. Lewis was also counsel to the New York-based Commission for Racial Justice and represented The Wilmington Ten. He was successful in forcing North Carolina to pay interest on the Wilmington Ten bond.
A desire to "do the deals myself" led Lewis to establish TLC Group, L.P. in 1983. His first successful venture was the $22.5 million leveraged buyout of McCall Pattern Company. It was a struggling business in a declining industry.
Lewis streamlined operations , increased marketing, and led the company to two of the most profitable years in McCall’s 113-year history. In the summer of 1987, he sold the company for $65 million, making a 90-to-1 return on his investment.
Just months after his first successful exit, Reginald F. Lewis’s unknown two man team outbid huge firms like Citicorp to secure the purchase of Beatrice Foods (64 companies in 31 countries). At $985 million, the deal was the largest leveraged buyout of overseas assets by an American company at that time.
As Chairman and CEO of the new TLC Beatrice International, he moved quickly to reposition the company, pay down the debt, and vastly increase its worth. By 1992, the company had sales of over $1.8 billion annually, making it the first black-owned business to generate a billion dollars in annual sales.
Meet the Scholars
1st Cohort 2021-2024
Robert Hill is an arts history major at 91Ö±²¥. A native of New Orleans, he plans to map out the art industry with both his own creations and expressions of his visual identity as well as through conservations of contemporary pieces in the museum environment. Being a cohort of the Reginald F. Lewis Scholars program has contributed to his career aspirations and overall professional identity in a way he could have never predicted.
Rabruntae Rachal is an industrial/organizational psychology major. He plans to work in development and assist those in advancing their careers and creating/implementing helpful resources that would benefit the workforce. He enjoys communicating with those of different aspects typically through experiences, thoughts, and various media forms. In this program, he has learned such about himself and will continue to evolve.
2nd Cohort 2022-2025
Brandon Everett is an International Studies major at 91Ö±²¥ aspiring to travel and work in a foreign nation promoting international relations and diplomacy. He is extremely excited to be a part of this program in order to learn how to be a leader in society and work with his peers.
Brandon Christopher Irvin Jr. aka Blue is driven to support his future family. He recently decide to pursue a teaching career. He is a rising sophomore attending the 91Ö±²¥. Brandon is trying to leave a legacy somewhere in his life. Some of his hobbies include acting, spoken word, video games, and cycling. This young man consistently brings marvelous energy everywhere he goes. An excellent public speaker and even better as a team member. This is only the launch, there is still so far to go, still so much to see, and so much to do.
3rd Cohort 2023-2026
Eian Bailey is a humble worshipper of God. After accepting Islam, he has learned to appreciate the gift of life—both the highs and the lows. Eian is attending the 91Ö±²¥ to learn more about Urban Studies & Planning. He is a strong proponent of the idea that our environment feeds into us and we feed into our environment. If we want to change our situation, it must begin with ourselves. Working with the Reginald F. Lewis Scholars program will open the door to many opportunities for Eian, allowing him to master his craft and character.
Joshua Joubert is a Film Major, studying to become a Producer or Assistant Director and is very honored to be a part of this program.