“I Am Debra Lee:” Former BET CEO on Shaping Black Culture | Amanpour and Company

Debra Lee, known as the godmother of Black entertainment, was a pioneering leadership figure as former CEO of Black Entertainment Television. In her new memoir, Lee reflects on her time at BET and what it means to be a cultural symbol. She explains all to Michel Martin.
Originally aired on March 31, 2023.
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Amanpour and Company features wide-ranging, in-depth conversations with global thought leaders and cultural influencers on the issues and trends impacting the world each day, from politics, business and technology to arts, science and sports. Christiane Amanpour leads the conversation on global and domestic news from London with contributions by prominent journalists Walter Isaacson, Michel Martin, Alicia Menendez and Hari Sreenivasan from the Tisch WNET Studios at Lincoln Center in New York City.
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[@lauragibbs7859]

Thank you Debra for sharing your life that many of us can learn from. It is a difficult thing to do, but of course you wrote the book so the rest of us can learn from your proud and not so proud moments. All of us have them and I applaud you for sharing and being down to earth. I certainly learned some things. Thank you.

[@ghanyathomas9538]

Thank you Debra Lee for your authenticity, brilliance, courage and grace. 💜🌻Salute 🫡

[@Raven-ug8uw]

I remember her when i was a law student nearly 40 years ago. She recruited for her law firm. A very nice person then and extremely helpful and inspiring even then to black law students. I can see how Johnson was drawn to her. I realize now that h at when I became head of my company's recruitment, I assumed her affect. Good work, Debra Lee.

[@juliebraden]

Enjoyed getting to know this lady! Sounds like an interesting read about a life that saw a lot of things culturally & in business as well. Really enjoyed the interview. Thr was something about her sharing that was very endearing. She has persevered thru a lot of different challenging situations. It is inspiring. TY Debra !

[@abigailgray8279]

Such a great interviewer!

[@shelleyw3630]

Debra Lee is an absolute trailblazer! A living legend, a behind the scenes force advocating for black culture and women in business for decades. I admire and applaud her courage to share her story, in a sadly still white mans world full of sexual double standards. A must read cautionary tale of sorts, full of honest reflection that is heartbreaking and uniquely special.

[@JohnAranita]

I lived in Waipahu, Hawaii in the '90s. I fiddled with the TV and I found the local BET. : - )

[@reginaerekson9139]

8:31 I agree with the black ceo comment, it’s the reason I tuned in. I’m curious to know how you feel about non black people who share your culture in every way except melanin? Not via appropriation but participates via American Culture. I grew up in the 70’s, so representation of black peoples in TV is definitely obvious to anyone how distorted it was along! Halle Berry winning her award! 💔 Fat Albert, Fresh Prince, The Jefferson’s, Mr. T, Rapoers, Good Times, Bernie Mac - so many that I watched. Motown!

[@noahway13]

Amos and Andy is a funny show. You can still find it on KZbin. It wasn't racist. MOST TV sitcoms make good-humored fun of some segment of people, like the Beverly Hillbillies, or Gomer Pyle, or the Honeymooners, So, then we had the Cosby show and it got ridiculed for showing black people as doctors. And you had Comic View on BET, and they flat out magnified black and white stereotypes to the max and it was funny AF and you had the black audience falling in the floor laughing. NOW, a few sanctimonious influencers get to tell everyone what is not funny and what is not appropriate.

[@rahinc]

Who cares.

[@gwynneshippy430]

I do.

[@gwynneshippy430]

I do.

[@iammidkid9186]

I definitely do!

[@JonBernard41]

Black Americans lack discretion. Perhaps, internal issues could be handled...internally? ...Most affairs have a power imbalance.