The alumni’s essay on Russell Westbrook was the top story link on the ESPN app during the Denver Nuggets-Minnesota Timberwolves game on Jan. 25.
With his Substack newsletter “Feels Like Home” and extensive experience in freelance writing, Alex Lewis ’16 is no stranger to creativity. As a graduate of Elon University’s School of Communications, Lewis leans into the culture of Columbus, Ohio, by writing about up-and-coming individuals, new restaurants, activities in the city and more.
The newsletter is an opportunity for creative exploration outside of his already creative “day job” leading social media art direction for Hollister at Abercrombie & Fitch Co. It eventually led to his essay in ESPN’s Andscape, “a Black-led media platform dedicated to creating, highlighting, and uplifting the diverse stories of Black identity.”
The article, “Russell Westbrook has found a gentle landing his rollercoaster career” was the top story on the ESPN App during the Denver Nuggets Minesota Timberwolves game on Jan. 25. Lewis lived in Colorado after graduating Elon, so the piece was special for him.
“I’ve been a Denver Nuggets fan for more than 20 years,” Lewis explained in his essay. “While I fell in love with basketball watching early 2000s hoops in my Grandma Gwen’s basement, I never had a team to call my own until the Nuggets drafted Carmelo Anthony and graced the streets with their powder blue and gold jerseys, which are still my favorite to this day.”
Lewis’ time at Elon was formative for both his Hollister work and writing, allowing him to find his niche.
“As I think back on my time at Elon, that’s really one of the places where I started to get comfortable getting outside of my comfort zone, being able to start growing as a writer, as a storyteller,” said Lewis. “The fact I still get to practice my creativity now as an art director in the retail industry, but also as a writer outside of my nine to five, I definitely owe all of that to my time at Elon.”
At Elon, Lewis earned a bachelor’s degree in strategic communication with a minor in leadership studies. He and his wife, Elizabeth Zimmerman ’17, regularly visit Elon and stay in touch with alumni – most recently with Columbus’ Alumni Chapter for Elon Day 2025.
“This place really just gave me a playground to try new things and open myself up to new perspectives,” said Lewis.
Lewis was in pursuit of publishing work outside of his newsletter when a supporter of the newsletter, and writer for Andscape, presented him with the opportunity to write a piece for the publication.
“I spent some time on the essay, I didn’t want it to be something that I rushed,” Lewis said. “Any opportunity where I get to write, I want to create something I’m proud of, and my people are going to be proud of.”
With the help of writers at Andscape, along with family and friends, Lewis edited the essay to ensure authenticity in his writing style.
“It’s a story I’m really proud of, and one I’m really glad was able to be my debut on Andscape,” he said.
As advice for young writers, Lewis urges students to follow their curiosities, even if their post-grad job doesn’t fit the mold they initially planned for.
“Ask yourself, can I do the things outside of work that I’m passionate about, can I do the things that make me, me?” Lewis explained. “It’s important to make time for the things you care about outside of your work because at the end of the day, I’m more than my nine to five.”