Chess activist Ernest Levert still healing after aneurysm

Back in April, social chess activist Ernest “Ern” Levert, Jr. of Columbus, Ohio suffered a brain aneurysm and was put in a medically-induced coma. Once he regained consciousness, his life and those of his family members changed forever. The Columbus community was devastated at the news. Local news covered the story.

Video by Columbus NBC 4

Today, I was in a highly trafficked area at Florida A&M University (FAMU) with my chess players and saw a group of teenage boys on a college tour. They stopped by one of our vacated chess boards and started playing. I stopped the adult who was apparently leading them and asked about their C&G group.

I learned the chaperone’s name was Andre Harper, a FAMU alumnus and husband of FAMU board trustee, Kristen Harper. The group had traveled from Columbus, Ohio. In less than a minute, “Ernest Levert” came up in the conversation. Harper mentioned that he had suffered a stroke “months ago.” I pulled up his social media, saw the GoFundMe page, and read he suffered an aneurysm. It was devastating news, even more so months after it occurred.

As one who strives to keep the chess community informed of what is happening in the African Diaspora, it is a surprise that the news had not reached me. I had sent Ernest a message on April 25th, “Missed you at the HBCU Chess Classic.” He did not respond for reasons that are now obvious. The news of Ernest’s health crisis was handled with grace by the Columbus community as they rallied around his wife Ivory, and his two children. His aneurysm came only weeks before the birth of his first son, Zenith Ernest Caleb Levert.

Ernest’s good heart shines through in my interactions with him. Ernest and I shared many conversations, and I participated in his programs. We discussed several initiatives with his Royal Oak Initiative and a chess project involving our college fraternity, Alpha Phi Alpha. He was a selfless person who had many ideas for community empowerment.

Columbus and the chess community (at large) have suffered a tremendous blow. He told me how much The Chess Drum meant to his Royal Oak Initiative and would share its content with his students. His passion shined through, not only in our conversations but also in his actions. He traveled to Atlanta for the 1st HBCU Chess Classic at Morris Brown College.

Ernest Levert Jr. is a passionate, community-oriented and ambitious servant-leader. A native of Dallas, TX and the son of two buckeyes, Ernest received his Bachelors of Science in Biomedical Engineering from The Ohio State University before pursuing his passion for financial health and economic empowerment.

After spending 5 years in the financial services industry as a personal financial coach, Ernest transitioned into youth workforce development. Ernest currently serves as a Youth Advocate and Quality Assurance Associate with Lead The Way Learning Academy. Ernest is also the founder of The Royal Oak Initiative (ROI), an innovative chess-based social change agency that uses the royal game of chess to inspire and empower the leaders of tomorrow to master their own future of personal and economic success through mentoring and coaching. Ernest also spends his energy learning and serving with New Salem Missionary Baptist Church, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc., and the Columbus Urban League Young Professionals Civic Engagement Committee. Ernest currently resides in Columbus, OH with his partner, Ivory.

~Written by Rita Fuller-Yates (20twenty200 Project)

Although Ernest has made significant improvement over the last few months, we anticipate the road to ongoing recovery will be a slow and gradual process. The impact of Ernest’s brain bleed has left him with severe cognitive impairment, nonverbal and physical immobility. While we know and sense his warm spirit within, he is currently unable to consistently communicate with us and requires assistance for all daily living activities. These challenges means Ernest’s return home will require us to make home renovations, hire 24 hour home health aide, and purchase medical equipment and ongoing supplies. While our insurance covers a great deal of these needs, it unfortunately does not cover all expenses.

~Ivory Levert

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Please help the Ernest Levert family!

KudoBoard (well-wishes) Beautiful tributes!!