Ernest D. Levert Jr.

Family will receive friends on Saturday January 25, 2025 at 9:00 a.m. until time of service at 12:00 p.m. at Maroon Culture Lab, 867 Mt. Vernon Avenue, Columbus, OH 43203
Ernest David Levert, Jr. Obituary
One breath at a time," he would say. And from his first, on December 10, 1990, to his last on January 8, 2025, Ernest David Levert, Jr. lived a life that was absolutely breath-taking. We who remain must somehow catch our own and collective breath, as we go on without him. One breath at a time.
A first-generation Texan from Highland Village outside of Dallas, Ernest Jr., was a proud Buckeye through and through. His father, Ernest, Sr., a welding and material science engineer from Cleveland, met his mother, Rhonda Hagey Levert, MD, a chemist turned medical internist from Columbus, during their studies at The Ohio State University. While his father mentored him on leadership, responsibility and patience and his mother emphasized academics, art, athletics, financial acumen and altruism, his older sister and only sibling, Chantale, worked hard to instill a playful spirit and lightheartedness that he never lost. Loaded with love and these lessons, he ventured into the world. He was a nonconformist who was committed to finding his own way. An inspiring leader, Ernest was happiest when he could lead with the values he learned in community, empowering others through his actions to love deeply and generously. He was the type of son and brother one could only hope for.
From the very beginning, Ernest's life was marked with a sense of strength and honor in service to others. The doctor proclaimed upon his birth, "You have a little linebacker on your hands." The doc was right. Ernest found his place on the front line of life, defending those in danger of being overrun by the greed of capitalism, passed over by the politically empowered and privileged, and filling in the gaps of hopelessness that make the community vulnerable to despair and demise.
These gifted qualities were affirmed early in life for Ernest as he journeyed in faith at the Westside Baptist Church in Lewisville, TX where he was baptized. Here, Ernest experienced community life, accountability, and the inherent risks and benefits of loving and living alongside others. Ernests childhood involvement in activities like essay contests commemorating the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., participation in Boy Scouts, world travel with his family, and chess, laid the foundation for the brilliant community builder we came to know.
Ernest began his Scout life as a Tiger Cub, progressing through the ranks of Cub Scouts, proudly receiving the Arrow of Light Honor before bridging into the Boy Scout years with Troop 822. Ernest served as the Senior Patrol Leader, leading troop meetings, directing camping trips, and guiding troop competitions. He embodied the Scout law, "A Scout is Trustworthy, Loyal, Helpful, Friendly, Courteous, Kind, Obedient, Cheerful, Thrifty, Brave, Clean, and Reverent." He also learned that "respect is earned, not given.". These principles were not just words but became a way of life that Ernest embodied. Ernest received several accolades as a Scout, including being named the Honor Man of the National Youth Leadership Training Class and being elected Skipper of his ship by his peers at the Aquatic School. It should come as no surprise that Ernest was an Eagle Scout.
As a student at Marcus High School, Ernest excelled in everything he did. He earned the gold medal in the Texas Academic Decathlon for Speech, showcasing his exceptional oratory skills, served as Parliamentarian in the Marcus Black History Club, and graduated in the top 20 of his class of over 500 students. Ernest's talents extended beyond academics. He earned a second-degree black belt in taekwondo, served as a student teacher and was part of the demonstration team. And yes, Ernest Jr. did play varsity football as a linebacker.
When it came time for college, Ernest went both far away from home and came home; the proverbial both/and. Like his parents and big sister, he matriculated to The Ohio State University, combining his parents' academic pursuits with his own, earning a B.S. in Biomedical Engineering in 2013.
During his time at OSU, Ernest served as a resident assistant for students in the PREFACE program for incoming minority engineering students, president of Band of Brothers and was a member of the Buckeye Leadership Fellows Program. His academic journey at Ohio State equipped him with technical expertise and deepened his passion for making a difference in the lives of others. Ernest was a master engineer, solving life's problems through design and real-world application for the health of his people.
On Thursday, March 29, 2012, Ernest was joined together forever with Joseph Sawo, Melvin Adeola, ERNEST D. LEVERT, JR. OBITUARY Shlomo Miller, and Michael Barnes, joining Kappa Chapter, the 10th House of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. In his poem, to be an Alphaman, Fred H. Woodruff wrote, "To be an Alphaman means more than just to wear a pin. It requires intrinsic qualities developed deep within." There is no better example of a brother to be found. His line name could not have been more fitting: BlacK Moses.
Following graduation, Ernest served as a Financial Representative at Primerica Financial Services, earning the nickname, ErnMoney. He dedicated himself to helping clients and acquaintances achieve their financial goals. His commitment to financial literacy and stewardship was evident through the numerous community initiatives and workshops he organized for both youth and adults. After several years in the financial services industry, Ernest sensed something calling him further and deeper. He began to focus on youth workforce and community development. This evolution helped him embrace his calling as "The Chess Guy" as he expanded his work as an entrepreneur, educator and thought-provoking community leader. In 2014, Ernest founded The Royal Oak Initiative (ROI), an innovative chess-based social agency that uses the wisdom of chess to protect, heal and build community by cultivating collective wellness, mindfulness and critical thinking. Through his work with ROI, Ernest used chess to transform lives through chess-based community gatherings, leadership development training, enrichment experiences and more. To have known Ernest then, is to remember the joy and satisfaction he had with the anagram of ROI being a play on the financial principle of return on investment. And oh yeah, roi? That is how you say king in French. The explanation was always followed with a larger than life, carefree, belly laugh.
Following graduation, Ernest served as a Financial Representative at Primerica Financial Services, earning the nickname, ErnMoney. He dedicated himself to helping clients and acquaintances achieve their financial goals. His commitment to financial literacy and stewardship was evident through the numerous community initiatives and workshops he organized for both youth and adults. After several years in the financial services industry, Ernest sensed something calling him further and deeper. He began to focus on youth workforce and community development. This evolution helped him embrace his calling as "The Chess Guy" as he expanded his work as an entrepreneur, educator and thought-provoking community leader. In 2014, Ernest founded The Royal Oak Initiative (ROI), an innovative chess-based social agency that uses the wisdom of chess to protect, heal and build community by cultivating collective wellness, mindfulness and critical thinking. Through his work with ROI, Ernest used chess to transform lives through chess-based community gatherings, leadership development training, enrichment experiences and more. To have known Ernest then, is to remember the joy and satisfaction he had with the anagram of ROI being a play on the financial principle of return on investment. And oh yeah, roi? That is how you say king in French. The explanation was always followed with a larger than life, carefree, belly laugh.
In 2015, Ernest helped to launch a new small group Bible Study for young adults at New Salem Baptist Church in Columbus. At the first meeting, Ernest was slated to give a financial wellness presentation. The first person to arrive at the meeting was a young Texas-gal, with a pink and green OSU t-shirt. Her name was Ivory.
Ernest was Ernest, and the inevitable spark between the two of them was undeniable. However, Ernest was Ernest, so while he did get her number that day, he didn't use it for about two weeks. Even then, his first message to Ivory was in a group text. She almost didn't respond. When she did, and they spoke, she found it impossible to remain uninterested.
The two were married on September 1, 2018, got pregnant with their daughter two years after, and yep, their son two years following their daughter's birth. When the couple got pregnant with their son, Ernest confessed that he knew of this two-year cycle the whole time. Ivory recalls laughing to herself thinking, "thanks for letting me know this plan that very much involved me."
The couple thrived together in the very best way as husband and wife, making space for one another. Ivory says that Ernest helped her find her power, not avoid difficult things, and think outside the box more. For Ernest, Ivory was a safe place to be his full self - even when he was unsure of who that exactly was. Together they loved the outdoors, road trips, and watching movies when they could agree on which to watch. As they navigated parenthood and the work of the community, they prioritized and cherished time with each other.
For years, Ernest facilitated community chess meetups at his favorite Upper Cup Coffee Co. on Parsons Avenue in Columbus. Recognizing the need for a more dedicated space and responding to the call to do more of what he believed in and advocated for, he opened the Cooperative Chess Cultural Center in 2022 as the home of ROI. Here members and visitors gather to play chess, build community through the exchange of wisdom and ideas, provide employment opportunities, hold space for artistic expression, and more. For International Chess Day in 2023, ROI hosted Chess Grandmaster Maurice Ashley for a citywide chess-immersive experience. Just before Ernest's health challenges began, he was leading efforts to integrate kinetic mindfulness training with chess. The ROI Board of Directors, along with staff and volunteers, continue this important work.
Outside of his work with ROI, Ernest co-founded Plant the Power with Ivory, an organization aimed at helping people of color explore the holistic benefits of plant-based living. Committed to being healthy in mind, body and spirit, Ernest was not one to keep knowledge and wealth to himself. Ever the leader, educator, and partner, Ernest also worked to help found and co-lead the Columbus hub of Black Men Build (BMB) with Ekundayo Igeleke and Khamall Jahi, along with Co-Op Columbus. Black Men Build was the fruit of Ernest's long-standing work focused on self-awareness and value, his love for Black people and community, and his commitment to intentionality and inclusion. Co-Op is an effort aimed at expanding the cooperative economy of Columbus. Wealth was always a collective action in Ernest's mind. Wealth that is solitary and isolated is inherently flawed and unable to be free.
Among Ernest's many roles, Zamya's Dad was one he relished. Nervous and unsure of parenthood and what any of that meant, Ernest took in as much as he could during their pregnancy. When she came, he was wide-eyed and still thinking about what this all meant. Never wanting to just 'be' what he was 'supposed to be,' Ernest and Zamya found their way together, and what a beautiful way it was. Ernest chose his son's name, Zenith, which means the highest point in the sky. He was so excited to have a son. Caleb, his middle name given by Ivory was always a favorite name of Ernest's. When he and Ivory talked about children, Ernest would say he wanted to name a son Caleb. Caleb, the biblical character, is one of the spies that went to survey the promised land. And while there were giants there, Caleb reminded the people that fear should not override the promise God had given to them. In a tragic bit of fate, Ernest, as a Moses figure, does not get to go into the promised land with Caleb. But his people do. Ernest reached his own zenith, and trailblazed across the sky into eternity
On April 3, 2025, approximately one month before Zenith arrived, the unimaginable happened. Ernest suffered a stroke due to an aneurysm rupture, and a massive brain bleed. The incident severely damaged his brain and left him with an uncertain future. Having survived the initial episode, Ernest showed hopeful signs of recovery over the months that followed. Ernest was flown to Chicago for intense rehabilitation at Shirley Ryan AbilityLabs. While he made steady progress in Chicago, the progress slowed, and the long-term prognosis remained uncertain. At the end of 2024, Ernest was admitted to the hospital for restorative skull surgery to hopefully reignite his recovery and stabilize him to return home to Columbus for the next phase of recovery. Ultimately, the toll of all that Ernest went through, and the unrelenting journey of healing, pushed his body to the brink. A new brain bleed in early January put our time with Ernest on a final countdown. Surrounded by family and friends, Ernest's final days were filled with love, gratitude and the blessing to go on ahead of us all. As in life, in the end, Ernest left this life on his own strength, in his own time, in his own way.
Ernest is welcomed into eternity by grandparents William Sr. and Gertude Levert, and James and Geraldine Hagey, and uncle and aunt, William Jr. and Vivian Levert. Left to reign in power, his life Queen, Ivory Levert who will shepherd his legacy of joy and light through their brilliant children, Zamya and Zenith. His parents, Ernest Levert Sr. and Dr. Rhonda Hagey-Levert, sister, Chantale (Bryant) Hedgeman and nephew Bryant Jr. (LJ), and brother-cousin Walter Levert, will continue to extol the goodness of all that will forever be their EJ. Relatives and loved ones, near and far, those from the beginning to those most recently met, will together continue to be the village Ernest called them to be. Though his time with us was far too short, the impact he made will endure for generations to come. His kindness, wisdom, and tireless dedication to bettering the world will be remembered and celebrated by all who had the privilege of knowing him.
I am because you are. You are because I am. So begins an Ubuntu Prayer that Nana Nketsia V shared with Ernest during a 2015 trip to Ghana. Ernest shared this prayer, as a call and response, everywhere he led. The prayer ends, I love you, because I am you. And so, it is with us. We love him because he is us. And because we still are, he is too.
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