In 1993, Reginald F. Lewis donated $3 million to Harvard Law School, the largest contribution the school had ever received from an individual. The section of the school devoted to international law was renamed the Reginald F. Lewis International Law Center in his honor. Lewis intended the grant to provide fellowships for minority lawyers who aspired to become law professors.

18 years after the creation of the program, the Reginald F. Lewis Foundation, now run by his wife, Lioda, continues to support these fellowships. On July 17, 2011 it bestowed $1.5 million to Harvard Law School. 

In 2002, the Reginald F. Lewis Foundation contributed $5 million toward the construction of an African American History museum. The institution, named the Reginald F. Lewis Museum of Maryland African American History and Culture, was opened in 2005.

Among his other achievements, Lewis was also the first African American to found and run a multi-billion dollar company, Beatrice Foods. Lewis went on to accomplish much more until brain cancer abruptly ended his life at the age of 50. His legacy goes on.