Survive and Advance

Lessons on Living a Life Without Compromise

By: Derek Lewis

Narrated by: Derek Lewis

In the face of difficulty, an inspirational leader will overcome.

Survive and Advance shares an intimate family portrait and professional journey, elevating listeners and showing them how to imagine themselves into a new future with optimism, conviction, and confidence.

Grind and single parenthood on one side of his family, mental health and addiction issues on the other, Derek Lewis’s childhood role was to protect himself and his younger brothers from hardship and abuse. Growing up in Washington, DC, in the 1970s, it was enough just to survive.

But Lewis demanded a different future for himself and his family. Growing his 1988 just-out-of-college Pepsi sales management trainee route into multiple C-suite roles, he overcame early adversity to achieve the highest levels of corporate success. Not content with delivering record-breaking financial results, Lewis leveraged his reputation and relationships into building gender and racial equity and justice inside and outside the company.

In this personal growth memoir, Lewis shares his path to Black excellence from Chocolate City to HBCUs to the Divine Nine to Pepsi’s Team Elite to national catalyst for social change.

©2025 Derek Lewis (P)2025 Derek Lewis

Derek’s authenticity stood out the most!

This audiobook was amazing! From telling his life story personally and professionally to inspiring a hard working generation no matter what your profession is, Derek captured my attention throughout the entire book and it was a great listen. Enjoyed every chapter.

This is a must read

I have known Derek for 40 years and I am so happy and proud of the great man he has become. He was a good friend and classmate. And he is an even better man!

Outstanding Read!

I throughly enjoyed reading about the journey of my classmate Derek Lewis. Derek's honesty, transparency, vulnerability and excellence are inspiring! I am motivated and Derek's book provides a toolbox that when exercised can get you to "level up!" I am in, all in! Bravo my friend, thank you for sharing your incredible story!
Debbie Wake

Great story.

Awesome story and perspective as a rising executive in corporate America. Very well done. Bravo

Required reading, no B.S. !

The story of Derek Lewis is the blueprint for young folks striving for success. Buy and gift this book! Mr. Lewis changed the trajectory of his bloodline by staying disciplined, working hard, staying prepared, and pouring into others. This is the way. Bravo Mr. Lewis, bravo! ✊🏾
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