Life & Work with Lewis Frazier

Today we’d like to introduce you to Lewis Frazier.

Hi Lewis, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today. 
As a native, born and raised in South Central Los Angeles – California is my home! A product of a single-parent household, I am closest to my mother & younger Brother. Family is everything. 

Growing up, my mother and grandmother sacrificed to give me the best childhood. As a child, I attended Celeste Scott Christian School (Inglewood,) St. John the Evangelist Middle School (South LA,) and St. Bernards High School (Playa del Rey.) I ultimately graduated from the Los Angeles County High School of the Arts Music Department. 

After graduating high school, I attended Cal State LA & Cal State San Marcos. 

My passion for the arts has continued for the past 20 years throughout my career in Advertising & Marketing. My professional experience culminated in the launch of my own creative agency, Lewis & Lois. 

We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Life has certainly not been a smooth road. Like all of us, my journey is riddled with highs & lows. As a Queer Black Man, life inherently gives you obstacles. 

Growing up in the 80s in South Central Los Angeles, where many of my peers were listening to rap and hip hop, I was very active in my church (First Bethany Missionary Baptist Church, South Los Angeles) and very engaged in my love for music. 

I was raised by a single mother, and we lived with my grandmother for the majority of my young life — so I was definitely loved within my close family unit! 

Despite feeling loved at home, the world sometimes has other plans for your self-esteem. The vilification of gay folks in the 90s, coupled with how homosexuality was portrayed in the media and by some folks in the black community, affected how I saw myself. Also, being dark-skinned in the ’90s light-skinned era’ presented a lot of self-esteem challenges for me as a child. So self-acceptance and trying to find myself – was definitely a struggle. 

Navigating through these challenges as an adolescent and adding to it being silently queer/in the closet AND a Christian was a lot to undertake. I finally officially came out at 17 years old, after heavily contemplating suicide, because in my young mind, there wasn’t a world that existed yet where I could totally be myself. 

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
My work is multi-faceted. I am a ‘Mad Man’ by day, working with the most notable brands and on some of the largest advertising campaigns. By night, I moonlight and own my own think tank Lewis & Lois, and also produce music. 

At 44 years old, I feel like I have finally hit my stride, but I’m not sure if I know what my legacy is just yet. To date, I am most proud of my debut album, “BLESSINGS,” which was always a dream of mine and something that will echo in history long after I am gone. That makes me proud. 

Those closest to me would say I have a knack/gift for bringing people together. I am known for being a ‘Gatsby’ of sorts: somewhat mysterious, eclectic, highly creative, and sometimes highly introverted. 

What sets me apart is my ability to think critically & creatively. I have a track record of coming up with innovative solutions to complex problems! 

Alright, so before we go, can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you, or support you?
Stream, Purchase & Listen to my debut album, “BLESSINGS” by Lewis Frazier. 

Follow me on IG @lewisfraziermusic 

I love collaboration of all kinds. Message me at lewisfraziermusic@gmail.com 

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @lewisfraziermusic
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQNIPNh_IbnaH4lgn-o_v9w

Image Credits
Ian Trujillo Pri
Milena Braz
Zachariah Schmitt
Toms One Hour Photo Lab