By Adyson Saunders
Edited for publication by SPEAKIN’ OUT NEWS
Alabama A&M University alumnus Jesse Lewis IV credits the confidence and individuality he developed on The Hill with sustaining his two-decade acting career.
Lewis portrays Miss Stu, a neighborhood matriarch, in “Route 187,” a four-part Tyler Perry Studios series premiering Sept. 16 on Paramount+. His credits include “Florida Man,” “Sistas,” “Southland,” “Queen America,” “Black Dynamite,” and “Meet the Spartans.”
A Sacramento native, Lewis arrived at AAMU by Greyhound bus and earned an academic scholarship. He served as Stephens Hall president, participated in fashion shows, and graduated in 2005 with degrees in English composition and telecommunications.
His entertainment journey began as a student. Lewis received a film opportunity but returned to AAMU to finish his education. He worked in production accounting on “Constellation,” filmed in Huntsville with Gabrielle Union and Zoe Saldaña.
Now based in Atlanta, Lewis continues acting, works in events and promotions, and is pursuing an MBA at Boston University.
“A&M didn’t give me a cheat code for life,” Lewis said. “It gave me access to the tools I would need to survive it.”