Black PR Wire Power Profiler on Debra L. Lee

Debra L. Lee is Chairman and CEO of BET Holdings, Inc. (BET), a media and entertainment company targeted to African Americans. Lee is the highest ranking African-American woman at BET's parent company, Viacom, Inc. Prior to her appointment as COO in March 1996, Lee served as the network's executive vice president of strategic business development. During her tenure at BET, Lee has played pivotal roles in the company's history, including executive vice president and general counsel of BET's legal affairs department; corporate secretary; and president and publisher of BET's publishing division.

Lee has led the network's evolution into original movies, documentaries, concert specials, news, late-night talk shows and public policy coverage. Without question, BET represents the total network package for its audience and now reaches more than 78 million homes.

Ms. Lee is a director of Kodak Corp., WGL Holdings, Inc., Marriott International, Inc. and Revlon, Inc. The consummate professional, she holds a BA degree from Brown University and MA and JD degrees from Harvard University. She is affiliated with several professional and civic organizations.