LISC Greater Newark Announces Passing of Executive Director Rhonda A. Lewis

Rhonda A. Lewis, our leader, friend and colleague, went home to live with the Lord in peace and love on Monday, September 7, 2020 following a long illness. The entire LISC family mourns the loss of Rhonda and we extend our deepest sympathies to her family and friends.  Her legacy lives on and she will be cherished by all of us.

This is a true loss for the LISC family. Rhonda was Newark’s Community Development Change Agent always pushing us to be more innovative and entrepreneurial.  Her vision and execution raised the capacity level of our local community organizations to seek and accomplish more.  Affordable housing and quality of life issues were a passion for Rhonda.   She also never missed an opportunity to elevate Newark on the national stage and there are too many examples of her broad influence in our community to name.  Throughout her three decades of leadership in community development, she underwrote $100 million in loans and grants to community organizations and developed 2,000 units of affordable housing. 

Originally from Brownsville, Brooklyn, she achieved a BA degree in Environmental Design and Urban Planning from the State University at Buffalo.  She also earned Certificates in Nonprofit Management from Columbia University and Harvard University Schools of Business.  She honed her community development skills at NYC Housing Preservation and Development, and subsequently as a Program Officer for the Local Initiatives Support Corporation in the ‘80s & ‘90s.

From 2001 to 2010, Ms. Lewis served as President and CEO of Bridge Street Development Corporation (BSDC).  Under Ms. Lewis’ leadership, BSDC instituted many “firsts” for the Bedford Stuyvesant Community.  BSDC sponsored the first condominium development built in Bedford Stuyvesant which jumpstarted the neighborhood’s condo market and won an award from the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce in 2005.  Rhonda spearheaded BSDC’s 94 units affordable senior facility for independent living another first for Bedford Stuyvesant.

Under Rhonda stewardship, BSDC implemented the “Anti-Predatory Lending Initiative”, working with homeowners threatened with tax lien sales, to restore their tax status and avoid foreclosure.  During her tenure at BSDC, she created 500 units of mixed-income housing, programs for commercial revitalization, financial literacy, civic engagement, and education.

In 2011, Rhonda A. Lewis returned to the LISC family as Executive Director of Greater Newark LISC (GNL) in charge of the organization’s programmatic and financial investments in Newark, Orange, East Orange, Irvington, and Jersey City.  Under Rhonda leadership, GNL’s program profile was elevated substantially as a result of the growth of its program offerings and financial investments, fueled by her entrepreneurial vision and drive.  She spearheaded the launch of a network of Financial Opportunity Centers in Newark which continue to provide crucial services to hundreds of people.

In addition, she oversaw the development of a new initiative at GNL, the Newark Resident Leadership Academy.  This resident leadership development program focused on enhancing the leadership skills of residents to become more active participants in improving the quality of life in their communities.

Rhonda A. Lewis legacy is that her passionate leadership and love of community have enhanced countless lives; so much so we strain to do her work justice in this space.  Nevertheless, we honor the little girl from Brownsville, who grew up with a committed vision to dedicate her life to “giving back”.