Urban League mourns death of Randy Lewis

ST. PETERSBURG – The Pinellas County Urban League (PCUL) sadly announces the death of Randolph B. Lewis, Director of Youth & Family Services, Sat., Oct. 10.

Lewis joined the Urban League in 2014, where his 25 plus years of experience in youth development and criminology was instrumental in the revamping of their youth-specific programs, including the Family Services Wrap-Around Service Pilot Program, the revitalization of the NULITES (National Urban League Incentives To Excel & Succeed), the establishment of the UYEP (Urban Youth Empowerment Program) in St. Petersburg and Tampa and the new TAACCCT (Trade Adjustment Assistance Community College & Career Training) Program, funded through the National Urban League in partnership with St. Petersburg College.

Lewis, an accomplished speaker, author, trainer, community activist and key player on the 2020 Plan Committee, was the president of Lewis Maxwell Training Consultants, Inc., a multidimensional education, business and criminal justice training firm based in St. Pete and was the former Skyway District Chair for the Boy Scouts of America.

Among the affiliations of which he was most proud was his position as a charter member of the Midtown Rotary Club and as a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., (Eta Rho Chapter) where he served as the former Basileus and Regional Representative. He was an integral part of the Omegas’ Pathfinders Mentoring Program, in joint partnership with the Zeta Upsilon Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.

Further supporting his passion for developing the leadership skills of youth, Lewis was a key figure in the Professional Opportunities Program for Students (POPS) at Gibbs High School.

A graduate of Bethune Cookman University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration, he went on to earn a master’s degree in Criminology from the University of South Florida. A highly sought after national and international speaker known for his high-quality, high-energy, down-to-earth delivery, he was the published author of “Xbox, Hip Hop & Dreadlocks: Reconnecting the Generations,” and was the owner of Helping Kids Be Kids.

When reflecting on Lewis’ many accomplishments, PCUL President & CEO, Watson Haynes stated: “He had a compassion for kids that exceeded that of many people in his field. Young people were near and dear to his heart, and he believed in empowering them to succeed and holding them accountable.”

Haynes recalled Lewis’ excitement about establishing the UYEP program, which offered the opportunity for a fresh start for ex-offenders and high school drop-outs. In an interview about UYEP, Lewis stated: “UYEP will eliminate all excuses and barriers to success for disenfranchised young adults and put them in a position to obtain not just jobs, but to establish meaningful careers.”

He leaves to mourn his passing his wife, Janine Lewis, daughter, Britteny Lewis, stepsons Christopher Rucker and Brandon Brown, seven brothers and sisters, a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and extended family; his Pinellas County Urban League family, his beloved Omega Psi Phi Fraternity brothers and a community that will greatly miss his humor, keen insight and dedication to making his community a better place for us all to live, work and play.

Final arrangements have been entrusted to Smith Funeral Home. The wake will be held Fri., Oct. 16 at 5:30 p.m. at New Jerusalem Missionary Baptist Church, 1715 18th Ave. S, St. Petersburg, where Lewis was a faithful member and served as a deacon.

The funeral will be held Sat., Oct. 17 at 11 a.m. at Mt. Moriah Baptist Church, 3500 18th Ave. S.