DR. RITA D. LEWIS: The Actress, Advocate, and Architect of Change

Her smile is alluring. Her laughter, contagious. Even through the cold computer screen, she radiates a warmth that pulls you in. She is Dr. Rita D. Lewis. A public affairs specialist, digital strategist, award-winning actress, Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award recipient, and Vice President of The Actors’ Center Board in Washington, D.C., Dr. Lewis lives at the intersection of advocacy, artistry, and authenticity.

Often compared to iconic performers like Lucille Ball and Carol Burnett, Dr. Lewis has earned praise for her seamless blend of humor and heartfelt realism. Ironically, she didn’t know she was funny at first. “I didn’t realize I had comedic timing,” she admits, recalling a moment during a stage performance of He Creeps when an unexpected line from a co-star forced her to improvise on the spot. The audience erupted in laughter, and the show’s writer later compared her to Ball in a glowing review.

But her journey didn’t start on a red carpet or behind a podium—it began in the heart of Washington, D.C., in a series of foster homes. “I started out in various foster homes,” she shares, “but around five or six, I landed in the home of a woman who was a pastor. She took me in and raised me in the church. I was there seven days a week—playing the drums, piano, singing in the choir, collecting tithes, ushering.” That home became more than a place of refuge—it was a training ground for leadership, compassion, and service. “I learned about responsibility early. I was very instrumental in negotiating bills for home and church—all utility bills, the mortgage, rents from tenants, eviction notices, filing and following up. Our home also doubled as a rooming house. We took in quite a few people,” she recalls.

During a recent interview with VBD Magazine, Dr. Rita D. Lewis discussed the bold, faith-fueled journey that brought her from foster care to the national stage. With a vibrant mix of humor, heart, and humility, she shared how her early expe- riences shaped her passion for storytelling, service, and systems-level change. “I didn’t just want a seat at the table,” she said. “I wanted to rebuild the table so more people could pull up a chair.”

A Spark Ignited

Dr. Lewis’ spark for performing was kindled in childhood while watching The Cosby Show. “I wanted to be a Cosby kid. Pretending to be someone else helped me escape tough situations. It brought me joy and let me bring joy to others.” She gravitated toward legendary comedians like Carol Burnett and Lucille Ball. “Lucille Ball encouraged me to approach comedy physically—with my face, my body, and my whole self. I didn’t even know I was funny at first, but the timing came naturally.”

Still, the arts weren’t encouraged at home. “My foster mom said acting was of the devil,” Dr. Lewis laughs. “So, I pursued communications at the University of Maryland at College Park instead. I worked three jobs simultaneously to stay there, waking up at 5 AM, working at a coffee bar, and doing maintenance on weekends. I just wanted something more than the six-block radius I grew up in.”

From Foster Care To The Frontlines

While studying, divine connections began to shape her career path. “Someone in class offered me his internship with the Washington Wizards. I didn’t know anything about sports, but my job was to promote the team during the Michael Jordan era. That led to working at BET, Discovery Communications, and Radio One. These opportunities found me. I didn’t even apply for some of them.”

Even as she thrived behind the scenes, acting kept calling. “People kept handing me scripts. I finally said yes at Radio One. Some of those connections led to roles in Hush on AllBlk, Ghosted with Chris Evans, and Bad Moms 2. I even played a detective in Entitled—a recently released thriller that will be on streaming platforms before the end of the year.”