I Am Debra Lee Audiobook By Debra Lee cover art

I Am Debra Lee

A Memoir

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I Am Debra Lee

By: Debra Lee
Narrated by: Debra Lee
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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
Leadership Management & Leadership Personal Development Personal Success Women Business Memoir Inspiring Heartfelt Career
Inspiring Leadership Journey • Valuable Business Lessons • Gripping Voice • Candid Personal Stories • Enjoyable Listen
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Excellent advice for growing leaders and her vulnerability is admirable. Highly recommend this book especially for women leaders!

Raw Vulnerable Real

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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!

Excellent

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

Honesty & leadership

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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.

Must read for black women leaders

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

Insider Story Telling

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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!

Wow, Great Storytelling

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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!

The Struggles of Women Climbing The Ladder..

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

Amazing Book

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Listened on an intercountry drive and was so interesting. she really let you in. such an interesting and beautiful story.

she really lets you in

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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.

Honesty about life on the way and at the top

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