Bertha Lewis is the founder and president of The Black Institute (TBI), a nonprofit “action-tank.” Ms. Lewis has been an influential leader, activist, and community organizer for more than 25 years and is the former CEO and chief organizer of ACORN. She has received numerous awards and accolades, including being named among City & State’s top 100 most influential and powerful political leaders in New York City, Essence magazine’s 28 Most Influential Black Women, and Crain’s New York’s 100 Most Influential Women of New York.