In 1981 she was one of the first recipients of the newly organized MacArthur Fellows Grant, in 1981, and in 1983 was awarded a Presidential Medal for the Arts by President Ronald Reagan.

[7] Lewis attended Roxbury Memorial High School for Girls, where she studied voice, piano, and dance.

The teaching program at the school was focused on building character and providing multidisciplinary arts instruction through performance and exhibitions.

[8] Lewis founded the National Center of Afro-American Artists, which served as an umbrella organization for the school, local arts groups, and a museum.

[11] The building complex, which looked over Franklin Park, was previously the site of Temple Mishkan Tefila and its adjoining school.

A total of 750 inmates at Norfolk Prison enrolled in the program; they put on performances and learned skills such as backstage production, acting, and musical composition.

She served as a board member for various organizations, including the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, Congressional Black Caucus, Metropolitan Cultural Alliance, and NAACP.

This grant was part of a five-year program whereby 21 MacArthur Prize Fellows would be awarded a yearly sum for their creative achievements.

[19] Lewis often traveled around the world to speak at conferences and inform on the state of African-American culture, as well as her experiences in running the NCAAA.

She started the Elma Lewis Playhouse in Franklin Park during the summer months, which also boasted such musical artists ranging from jazz composer Duke Ellington to symphony conductor Arthur Fiedler.

[10] In September 1996, Roxbury hosted a salute to the “Grande Dame,” a three-day birthday celebration of Lewis's achievements and life.

For her 76th birthday, she collected papers, photographs, musical notes, and other memorabilia to give to Northeastern University for a living archive.