“I want to change the attitude about physical fitness at an earlier age, at the root, with children,” explained Dr. Derek Lewis ’78, ’80. The Derek Lewis Foundation partnered with Washington Elementary in Little Rock to provide bicycles for kids as a fun way for them to increase their physical fitness and combat obesity. However, the foundation realized that wasn’t enough. Kids would abandon their bikes because they didn’t have a riding partner. As a result, the foundation began giving each family an adult bike as well. It enabled mothers, fathers, aunts, uncles and other family members to ride with the children and increase everyone’s physical fitness levels.
Dr. Lewis created the Derek Lewis Foundation in 1992 to help improve community health in underserved areas. However, it lacked true focus. His son, Derek Lewis II ’97, took over the operation of the foundation. He insisted his father articulate why certain programs were important. For example, he asked Dr. Lewis why it was important to give a child a bike. “Because you can’t get exercise on a video game,” replied Dr. Lewis. This conversation led to exploring his passion about curing and preventing childhood obesity. It also opened doors to adding educational pieces to the mission of the foundation.
Physical activity is just one method the foundation promotes to combat obesity. The foundation also created a nutritional piece that included students taking cooking classes during a day camp. It empowered the students and helped them learn about making healthy eating choices. In turn, the parents learned healthy eating habits through the children.
To continue community health programming, the Lewis Foundation started the Community Health and Wellness Expo. It has grown to be one of the largest expos in Arkansas. Held during the first weekend in June, it attracts more than 500 participants. The expo provides blood pressure, HIV, body mass index, glucose and renal screenings. It includes prostate exams, mammograms and sports and youth physicals. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) training, cooking and fitness demonstrations are part of the wellness expo. More than 70 exhibitors from organizations such as the Arkansas Department of Health to the Lupus Foundation to Susan G. Komen Arkansas provide representatives and information at the event.
The Lewis Foundation continues to broaden its scope. A product of the Delta, Dr. Lewis has always placed great importance on giving back to that area. The foundation has partnered with a school in Forrest City to create a bike program. Karen Caruthers Lewis ’96, wife of Derek Lewis II, is spearheading the project. Mrs. Lewis is originally from Forrest City, an Arkansas Delta town, so it is near and dear to her as well.
A small town guy from Hughes, Dr. Derek Lewis ended up at the State College of Arkansas (SCA), now the University of Central Arkansas, because his mama said so. His mother did not want her son attending Arkansas State University – “they play too much” – nor did she want him attending the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff – “they party too much.” SCA offered Lewis a scholarship. Gladys Lewis brought her son to campus that summer of 1974 to register for classes.
UCA is a tradition in the Lewis family. In addition to Derek Lewis II and his wife, Karen, Dr. Lewis’ youngest daughter Aeiress Duhart-Lewis ’13 also graduated from UCA. Derekah Hill-Lewis, Dr. Lewis’ oldest daughter, will start pursuing her master’s degree in psychology in January 2016.
The Lewis family members were active campus leaders in their Greek organizations, Student Government Association and other areas of student life while at UCA. All have given back to the UCA Foundation as well. Dr. Lewis provided funding for Buffalo Alumni Hall and the conference room is named for him. The family created the Derek Lewis Scholarship to provide support for African-American students from Hughes or the Delta area. Dr. Lewis is one of the early donors to the Conway Corporation Center for Sciences. Dr. Lewis is a former Alumni Board member and Derek Lewis II is currently serving on the UCA Alumni Board, following in his father’s footsteps.
