Louisiana Rep. Sam L. Jenkins, Jr. (from left to right) poses with Louisiana First Lady Donna Edwards, Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards (’99), and LSU Executive Vice President & Chief Administrative Officer Kimberly Lewis (’98) at the Third Annual Gov. P.B.S. Pinchback Breakfast on May 31.
A pair of notable LSU Law alumni were honored by the Louisiana Legislative Black Caucus on May 31 at the Third Annual Gov. P.B.S. (Pickney Benton Stewart) Pinchback Breakfast.
Gov. John Bel Edwards (’99) was honored as the first ever recipient of the Gov. Pinchback Trailblazer Award for his dedication to diversity and work to improve life for all Louisianans.
“Helping all Louisianans succeed has always been a priority for me as well as having my administration reflect the diversity of our state,” said Edwards, who added he was especially proud to help recognize Kimberly Lewis (’98), who served in his administration for six years before joining LSU as Executive Vice President & Chief Executive Officer in February 2022.
Edwards appointed Lewis as secretary of the Department of Revenue in 2016 and she served in the role until she joined LSU. She was honored by the caucus with the Governor P.B.S. Pinchback Legacy Award for her dedicated service.
“She was a trusted advisor during some very difficult days, and I’m grateful for the outstanding leadership she provided,” Edwards said of Lewis. “She continues to do great work at LSU, upholding the rich legacy of Gov. Pinchback, who is important to our state and nation.”
Among Lewis’ accomplishments as secretary of the Department of Revenue, Edwards noted the establishment of the Frontline Worker COVID-19 Hazard Pay Rebate Program and the creation of the Louisiana Nonprofit & Small Business Assistance Program, which provided nearly $10 million in grants to nonprofits and small businesses to provide aid to communities impacted by the pandemic.
“I am honored to be this year’s recipient of the Governor P.B.S. Pinchback Legacy Award and humbled to follow two of my mentors, Justice Bernette Johnson (’69) and Rep. Terry Landry, in receiving this award,” Lewis said. “Thank you to Governor Edwards and the Legislative Black Caucus for creating an award honoring the life and legacy of Governor Pinchback. But more importantly, creating an award showcasing leadership and recognizing the importance of representation.”
Before becoming secretary of the Department of Revenue, Lewis was a partner in the Tax & Estates Practice Group at Jones Walker, focusing primarily on state and local tax matters, economic development financing, incentives, and government relations. Prior to joining Jones Walker, she served as special counsel for the Office of the Governor, where she provided legal counsel to Gov. Kathleen Babineaux Blanco and served as senior policy advisor on revenue, economic development, and insurance policy.
“Kimberly is a true public servant who has worked hard to improve the lives of all Louisianans,” said Rep. Vincent Pierre, chairman of the Louisiana Legislative Black Caucus. “From serving in state government to her new role at LSU, she continues to display great leadership and a deep commitment to helping advance future generations, a hallmark of the legacy of Gov. Pinchback. We were also thrilled to award Gov. Edwards the first Gov. Pinchback Trailblazer Award. We appreciate his partnership and all that he has done and continues to do to uplift all communities across our great state.”
Gov. Pinchback was a publisher, politician, and Union Army officer who was only the second African American to serve as governor and lieutenant governor of a U.S. state. Though he served only briefly from Dec. 9, 1872, until Jan. 13, 1873, he signed 10 legislative bills into law during his tenure. As a delegate to the 1879 Louisiana Constitutional Convention, he also helped to establish Southern University and A&M College. He died in December 1921. A bill was recently approved to rename the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development headquarters in his honor.
