Lewis, Edward S. (Edward Shakespear)

African American educator, author, governmental advisor, and director of community and education programs; president of National Urban League; b. 1901.

From the description of Edward S. Lewis collection, 1934-1972. (Boston University). WorldCat record id: 70968383

Edward Shakespear Lewis was an Urban League executive from 1927-1964. He served as executive-secretary of the Kansas City (Mo.) Urban League from 1927-1931, executive director of the Baltimore Urban League, from 1931-1942, and executive director for the Urban League of New York City, from 1942-1964.

During his tenure, the Baltimore Urban League campaigned against Jim Crow policies, for employment of Blacks in the war/military industry, and for better housing. Under his leadership, the borough chapters of the Urban League in New York City were centralized into the Urban League of Greater New York, and took on the issues confronting the urban poor. After earning a Ph.D. from New York University in 1964, Lewis resigned from the Urban League and became a professor in the co-operative education department at the Borough of Manhattan Community College (BMCC.) At the time of his retirement from BMCC, Lewis had served as Dean of Co-operative Education, the first black president of the National Co-operative Education Association and Assistant to the President of the College on community affairs. Lewis also served on the boards of the Federation of Protestant Welfare Agency (FPWA), the Manhattanville Community Center and several other civic organizations.

From the description of Edward S. Lewis papers, 1918-1986 (bulk 1948-1986). (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 122517446

Edward Shakespear Lewis was an Urban League executive from 1927-1964. He served as executive-secretary of the Kansas City (Mo.) Urban League from 1927-1931, executive director of the Baltimore Urban League, from 1931-1942, and executive director for the Urban League of New York City, from 1942-1964.

During his tenure, the Baltimore Urban League campaigned against Jim Crow policies, for employment of Blacks in the war/military industry, and for better housing. Under his leadership, the borough chapters of the Urban League in New York City were centralized into the Urban League of Greater New York, and took on the issues confronting the urban poor. After earning a Ph.D. from New York University in 1964, Lewis resigned from the Urban League and became a professor in the co-operative education department at the Borough of Manhattan Community College (BMCC.) At the time of his retirement from BMCC, Lewis had served as Dean of Co-operative Education, the first black president of the National Co-operative Education Association and Assistant to the President of the College on community affairs. Lewis also served on the boards of the Federation of Protestant Welfare Agency (FPWA), the Manhattanville Community Center and several other civic organizations.

From the guide to the Edward S. Lewis papers, 1918-1986, 1948-1986, (The New York Public Library. Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, Manuscripts, Archives and Rare Books Division.)