Uncrowned Community Builders

Catherine J. Lewis is founder of LEWAC (Lasting Education for Women, Adults, and Children) Associates of Western New York, Inc., a health education and wellness agency located at 1490 Jefferson Avenue. She has been CEO and Executive Director since the organization's March 1991 inception. LEWAC provides "ways to wellness" health education, outreach, and awareness workshops and seminars throughout the city of Buffalo, targeting residents of the Masten, Ellicott, and Niagara Districts and utilizes a staff of six people and a speaker's bureau of several physicians and other health care professionals and volunteers.

She has organized health education programs on health and wellness at various community-based sites including Walls Memorial AME Church, Antioch Baptist Church, Mt. Olive Baptist Church, The New Mt. Ararat Church, Bethel AME Church, First Shiloh Baptist Church, Calvary Baptist Church, LBJ Housing Development, First Shiloh Housing Corporation, and many others who call upon the LEWAC Team to complement a wellness in mind, body, and spirit.

Ms. Lewis served in management and administrative capacities in the health care industry since 1964, including Buffalo General Hospital, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Western New York, and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of New York City.

She served as Delegation Services Manager for the World University Games held in Buffalo (July 1993). In this capacity she was responsible for coordinating and registering eight thousand athletes from 130 different countries, and coordinating the training of over one thousand volunteers. She serves as a volunteer in numerous community projects including the United Way of Buffalo and Erie County Speaker's Bureau.

She was chosen as a recipient of the American Diabetes Association's Women of Valor award, a community-based initiative recognizing woman of outstanding achievement in their local community. Business First recognized Ms. Lewis as one of Buffalo and Western New York's Health Heroes for the year 2000.

She is an advocate for health and wellness and serves on a number of panels and forums where health issues, including environmental health issues, impact communities of color. She is an active participant of the American Diabetes Association Cultural Diversity Initiatives. In addition, she is a Buffalo Prep Board of Trustee member; the Erie County Legislature Task Force Chairperson; and was elected President of the Erie County Chapter of The Links, Incorporated. She is a member of Antioch Baptist Church.

Ms. Lewis holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from New York University with course studies at the University of Buffalo, Syracuse University, and Bryant and Stratton Business Institute.