During the annual Pre-Grammy Gala in February, BET Networks Chairman and CEO Debra L. Lee will be honored as the Grammy Salute to Industry Icons recipient for her significant contributions to the music industry, Shadow and Act writes.
“It is such a tremendous honor to receive this year’s Grammy Salute To Industry Icons Award. Music is a part of BET’s DNA and it’s always been my goal to touch people by educating, inspiring, providing opportunity, and affecting real change through the powerful medium of entertainment,” said Lee of the announcement. “I am proud and thrilled to be the first woman to join this dynamic group of industry trailblazers.”
Lee was recently inducted into the Broadcasting & Cable Hall of Fame and is one of the industry’s most respected business executives. As Chairman and CEO of BET Networks, she is one of the highest ranking African-American women in the media industry. Lee is a graduate of the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University and Harvard Law School. Her involvement in BET’s rebranding has included hit shows “Being Mary Jane,” “Real Husbands Of Hollywood,” and the upcoming miniseries “The New Edition Story” airing in January.
“Prior to her appointment as CEO in March 1996,” the Grammy’s official announcement details, “Lee served as the network’s executive vice president of strategic business development. In 2003 Lee was given the Distinguished Vanguard Award for Leadership from the NCTA — The Internet & Television Association, making her the first African-American female executive to receive the honor. Under her leadership, BET continues to bring quality programming to an audience of over 90 million households domestically and over 38 million homes internationally.”
“Debra’s many years of wonderful work and dedication to the network, as well as raising the profile of businesswomen in the African-American community, has been remarkable and she truly deserves this great honor,” said Clive Davis.
Neil Portnow, President/CEO of The Recording Academy, called Lee, “a groundbreaking figure whose innovative vision, commitment to entertainment, and philanthropic work have had a profound impact on the industry as well as our broader culture. We look forward to celebrating our first, and definitely not the last, female honoree as our industry continues to recognize the significant contributions of female leaders.”
