While in Miami for Super Bowl weekend, I had the chance to sit dow with PepsiCo President, Derek Lewis, to talk about his "She Got Now" initiative for which he's partnered up with ESSENCE .
Derek who oversees the South Division of Pepsi, is the highest ranking African-American within the company, but rest assure that he's still very much in the trenches with the people and making sure he's giving back. Specially to HBCU females students through the Allen McKellar Jr. Internship Program—named in honor of the first Black professional to enter the corporate workforce through a job at PepsiCo.
With "winning with purpose" as his personal mantra, Derek has made a personal commitment to granting twelve lucky HBCU young women the opportunity to join PepsiCo or ESSENCE as Summer interns where they will be mentored, taught the game and celebrated.
This internship program opportunity which was just launched this January 2020, already received over 2,000 applications. Derek: "It's a movement, something that's gonna last...it's my job to push this agenda. There's nothing in it for me just to teach them the game.
The “She Got Now” initiative also comes with the ultimate tailgate celebration in preparation for the annual homecoming football game. Hosted by the one and only Doug E. Fresh, each tailgate celebration features top female DJs and a battle of the bands competition between the marching bands from each of the two competing universities.
While speaking about their 2019 campus visits, Derek says: "I started brining in talent to homecoming...we had students saying this is the best homecoming we've had."
I want to personally thank Derek for staying to grounded, humble and in tune with the needs of women, minorities and our community in general.
For more information, visit www.pepsico.com.
Photo: Getty