Men To Watch Awards 2026 honors Alde Lewis

From Broadway stages to underserved classrooms and communities Alde Lewis has dedicated his life to unlocking the potential of Black and Brown youth across America. Alde Lewis began his career as a principal modern dancer with Dianne McIntyre’s acclaimed Sounds in Motion Dance Company. His journey into tap was sparked by legendary Tony Award–winning tap master Charles “Honi” Coles, who, after witnessing Lewis win Amateur Night at the World-Famous Apollo Theater early in his career, took him under his wing as a mentor.

From that foundation, Lewis built an extraordinary career spanning dance, film, television, and theatre—as an actor, dancer, director, choreographer, and now, musical playwright. On Broadway, he originated the role of Otis in Bob Fosse’s final original production, Big Deal, and was an original cast member of My One and Only. His film credits include Francis Ford Coppola’s The Cotton Club, and he will appear as both executive producer and actor in the upcoming Arbiter: Roswell, directed by Wendell B. Harris, Jr. and starring Steven Soderbergh.

Lewis has graced Carnegie Hall as a feature performer in Carnegie Hall’s “Live the Dream! Black Stars of The Great White Way”; Off-Broadway and regional stages, and toured nationally with Sophisticated Ladies and Cab Calloway’s Cotton Club Revisited, he performed as the featured tap dancer and MC alongside the legendary Cab Calloway himself.

As a writer, Lewis has penned the book and lyrics for the original musical Dee’s Days of Tap Dancing in Time and the play WE TWO!, both of which he plans to bring to the stage.

In response to the COVID-19 shutdown of live in-person performances, Lewis founded EMVAD TV, LLC—a Black-owned Video on Demand streaming platform service dedicated to amplifying Black voices, expanding global exposure for underrepresented artists, and returning creative control to those historically excluded from decision-making in the fine and performing arts and the entertainment industry as a whole. A place where Black creative content owners of diverse types have a home. A place where HBCU Communication Departments are welcome to partnership. EMVAD TV... Through Imagery: We Amplify, Educate, Elevate, and Inspire.

As a co-producer Lewis’s two business entities has assisted two theatre creations in performing on NYC stages, Tied (United Solo Theatre Festival and Sharing the Stage Series @The Alpha Omega Theatrical Dance Studio) and Code Feet (Reading).

From Broadway to Your Neighborhood

Alde Lewis having danced under Broadway lights and taught in classrooms where hope felt far away, presently, as founder of A.L. Efficacy Movement, a register 501c3 nonprofit organization,he brings the transformative power of the performing arts to Black and Brown youth while mentoring those who seek guidance in the industry. Supporting the cause can turn a child’s spark into a lifelong flame.

“Every Child Deserves a Stage — and a Champion”

“From Broadway Lights to Community Spotlights”

As a Founder, mentor, and advocate for the next generation...

“Mr. Lewis stops the show cold...” — The New York Times

Press Articles:

Houston Press

BROADWAY WORLD – Houston – Review

Alde Lewis Bio Researched I For Color Archives

Organizational Affiliation: Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Michigan State University Black Alumni Association, St John’s United Methodist - Houston - Downtown, Black Leaders Worldwide, Actors Equity Association, Screen Actors Guild.

Websites and Contact Info:

A.L. Efficacy Movement: https://alefficacymovement.org/

EMVAD TV: https://emvadtv.com/home