Profile: Dr. Donell Lewis

Dr. H. Donell Lewis, a native of Loris, SC, is currently professor and Chairman of the Graduate Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders at North Carolina Central University where he administers the largest graduate program on the campus. He holds a joint appointment as a senior clinical audiologist in the Department of Pediatrics at Duke University Medical Center. He also developed and administers WNCU, the University’s 50,000 watt public radio station. Dr. Lewis, earned a Bachelors Degree in Speech Pathology from Shaw University, a Masters Degree from Central Michigan University and a doctorate from the University of Illinois. This achievement earned him the distinction of being one of 5 African-Americans to hold a doctorate in Audiology. He is a board certified and licensed audiologist having practiced in North Carolina for the past 18 years. Dr. Lewis is also a distinguished fellow of the American Academy of Audiology and a board member of the American Speech and Hearing Association. In addition to his duties at the University, Dr. Lewis is President and CEO of CCA Rehabilitation, Inc., a health care corporation providing speech pathology, audiology, physical and occupational therapy services to hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, schools, daycare centers and home health services.

CCA has offices in Raleigh, Durham, and Lumberton, North Carolina, and provides services in 19 North Carolina counties, through its 25 therapists. CCA , which was founded in 1984 by Dr. Lewis in an effort to provide employment opportunities for his black graduates. CCA is now the largest black owned rehabilitation company in North Carolina with revenues in excess of two million dollars annually. All three of the Lewis’ adult children, as well as two nieces, work in various capacities with the company. Dr. Lewis says, "the generational transfer of wealth, in my opinion, must become a major goal for black people. We must begin to provide jobs for our own children rather than relying on others to do so. Hopefully, my children will be able to expand and grow this business into a national corporation. That is my goal each and every day." Despite his many duties and responsibilities, he still finds time for civic and outreach activities via his membership in and recent election to the presidency of the Capital City Sertoma Club, an international service club providing advocacy and financial support for the hearing impaired. He also chairs a United Way of Wake County Fund Distribution Panel and serves on the Board of Directors for the SE Raleigh School of the Arts, in addition to many other boards of local, state and national organizations. He was most recently honored in Washington, DC by the Presidents of the 118 historically black colleges and Universities with the Distinguished Alumni Award for his many contributions to Shaw University, Howard University and NCCU. Dr. Lewis is married to Brenda, the only Black female Vice President at Occidental Fire and Casualty Insurance Company. He is a loyal member of Martin Street Baptist Church in Raleigh, and the Phi Beta Sigma International Fraternity. Of all of his many accomplishments achieved throughout his career Dr. Lewis says "becoming a grandfather to three-year old Khaaliq and two-year old Kaylin are his greatest.