There isn’t a lot that has been at PepsiCo longer than Derek Lewis, however one factor that has is range. Lewis is aware of this first-hand as a result of it’s a major a part of his job.
At the moment, Lewis is the president of PepsiCo’s Multicultural Enterprise and Fairness Growth. Throughout his 34 years with Pepsi, he’s had so many positions that it may be difficult for him to maintain them straight.
“From the very starting, range has been a core worth of PepsiCo, and our dedication to range efforts has paved the way in which for the creation of our newly established enterprise unit to go even additional to proceed to deliver change to our communities and workers,” Lewis advised BLACK ENTERPRISE.
Lewis is coming off the Energy Of A Lady Competition and Summit held in Atlanta on Mom’s Day weekend with Grammy Award-winning artist Mary J. Blige. The 2-day occasion was a tribute to Black ladies and Black feminine entrepreneurs.
“Mary J. Blige and Pepsi’s Energy of a Lady Competition and Summit was an unimaginable and highly effective weekend, and we have been honored to be a part of it,” Lewis mentioned.
“Our purpose was to raise, entertain, and educate the neighborhood as we additionally celebrated native Black feminine entrepreneurs.”
The weekend featured music from up-and-coming artists and meals and drinks from Black woman-owned eating places in Atlanta. Pepsi additionally donated $25,000 to Metropolis of Refuge, a company that gives companies to households and people in disaster, together with housing for girls and single moms, youth growth, and job coaching.
As well as, a clothes donation was made to restock the Metropolis of Refuge’s closet for brand spanking new residents. PepsiCo’s Stronger Collectively marketing campaign additionally offered a $20,000 grant to help the group’s necessary work additional.
“It’s a ravishing factor when you’ll be able to take a serious pop cultural occasion and use it as a platform for good too, by giving again to the neighborhood in a method that’s significant to the those that reside in Atlanta,” Lewis added.
Lewis admits he’s worn many hats at Pepsi, together with account consultant, market supervisor, regional gross sales supervisor, and now, president of Multicultural Enterprise and Fairness Growth—a title he takes pleasure in.
“I’m chargeable for working with my workforce to handle enterprise inequalities with the intention to drive higher outcomes and optimistic impression internally and externally,” Lewis mentioned.
“I’m proud to take this subsequent necessary step for PepsiCo and make sure that we’re bringing significant change to our workers, enterprise, and communities.”
One factor Lewis has seen a whole lot of throughout his time at PepsiCo is change and never simply at his job however in our tradition and nation, particularly throughout the pandemic, which led to Pepsi’s Stronger Collectively marketing campaign.
“The pandemic led us to create our community-based initiative, Pepsi Stronger Collectively, to provide again to individuals who have been on the frontlines, together with healthcare and important employees,” Lewis advised BLACK ENTERPRISE.
“From there, we heard about extra points our communities have been going through, and Pepsi Stronger Collectively advanced to work with companions on options together with schooling alternatives, de-escalation coaching, shelter renovations, meals for the neighborhood, and extra.”
Lewis is worked up in regards to the subsequent chapter of his story with PepsiCo, together with rising its range and persevering with the efforts of its Pepsi Stronger Collectively marketing campaign.
“We need to construct a greater office for our workers and actually a greater world for our shoppers by serving to to remodel our communities. Now we have a whole lot of vitality and pleasure for what’s to return and to increase these efforts to assist deliver change.”