On April 3rd, 2024, our worst nightmare occurred. Ernest Levert Jr., a loving husband, father, son, brother, friend and community leader suffered from a sudden ruptured brain aneurysm resulting in debilitating physical immobility, cognitive and speech impairment.
This all occurred 4 weeks prior to the birth of his second child and first born son. After several procedures, surgeries and hospital/rehab stays, Ernest is finally preparing to come home. Learn more about how you can support Ernest and his family on the road to recovery.
March 23rd
Emergency Room hospital visit for intense headache described as “one of the worst headaches of his life”. We didn’t recognize at the time that this was the first sign of a potential aneurysm rupture.
April 3rd
Ruptured aneurysm with severe brain bleed. Ernest is rushed to Grant Hospital. Doctors are unsure of what has occurred but recognizes that severe damage has been sustained.
April 4th
Doctors confirm that a ruptured brain aneurysm has taken place through several CT scans and angiogram tests. Ernest is transferred to Riverside Memorial Hospital.
April 5th to 8th
Doctors discuss a plan to treat aneurysm to prevent future ruptures and brain bleeds. Procedure is stalled due to Ernest’s instability with blood pressure and other complications.
April 9th
An emergency craniotomy surgery takes place to remove a portion of Ernests skull and release pressure in the brain.
April 10th to 26th
Ernest stays in ICU for ongoing CT scans and angiogram procedures to watch for additional bleeds or vasal spasms. Ernest has a procedure to insert a trach and peg to continue with supported breathing and tube feeding. During this hospital stay, Ernest also forms a blood clot in his right leg. An IVC filter is placed to prevent future blood clots traveling to the brain.
April 26th
Ernest is released from Riverside ICU and transferred to LTAC (long term acute care) Select Specialty Hospital. Here Ernest begins more intentional rehab including occupational therapy, physical therapy and speech therapy.
May 6th
Ivory safely births their son, Zenith, in the comfort of their home. She is supported by an amazing birth team including her Mom Linda, her midwife Eliza Kay and doula Kelli Blinn.
May 26th
Ernest is discharged from Select Specialty Hospital and is transferred to Shirley Ryan Ability Lab in Chicago, IL for intensive rehab. Shirley Ryan Ability Lab is one of the top rehab facilities in the country for traumatic brain injury. He is flown to Chicago through Angel MedFlight with the support of his mom, Dr. Rhonda Hagey-Levert.
May 28th to June 28th
2 days into rehab, doctors notice an infection in Ernest’s incision where his surgery took place. Ernest is sent to Northwestern Memorial Hospital to treat infection. While there, doctors also notice large blood clots in Ernest’s legs and lungs. Ernest undergoes a procedure to remove the majority of blood clots and is placed on blood thinners to prevent future blood clots.
June 28th
Ernest is transferred back to Shirley Ryan Ability Lab inpatient care for intensive rehab. Ernest participates in intensive rehab consisting of occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech therapy and more. Ernest’s family (Wife, Mom, Dad and Sister) are all trained on how to support his ongoing care through use of medical equipment (hoyer lift, hospital bed, breathing treatments, trach care, administering medications etc.) once discharged.
July 23rd
Ernest is discharged from inpatient care to outpatient care in Chicago through the Shirley Ryan Ability Lab Day Rehab program. Ernest’s family move to temporary housing in a nearby hotel. Ernests parents become primary caregivers while Ivory (and children), and Ernest’s sister Chantale travel back and forth to and from Chicago to support.
August 20th
Outpatient rehab is put on pause while Ernest prepares for cranioplasty surgery. During this time, his parents continue serving as primary caregivers in Chicago while Ivory works with the Columbus community to coordinate home renovations, fundraising efforts, care for the children and more.
GOFUNDME
MEALTRAIN
HOMECARE
Join Ernest’s Care team
TIER 1
Drop in to visit whenever works best for your schedule to bring good vibes!
TIER 2
Commit to regular frequency (weekly, bi-weekly or monthly) to provide unskilled care support for Ernest
TIER 3
Commit to regular frequency (weekly, bi-weekly or monthly) to provide intentional healing care to Ernest and family with offerings such as prayer, meditation, yoga, sound therapy etc.
TIER 4
Commit to regular frequency (weekly, bi-weekly or monthly) to provide skilled nursing care support for Ernest
ABOUT
ERNEST
Husband, father, son, friend and community leader are just a few of the many titles that Ernest proudly wears. As an advocate for peace, collective well-being, equity and justice, Ernest has dedicated his young life and early adulthood to service and a belief in radical positive change.
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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, serving as a Achieve More & Prosper (AMP) Program Manager with IMPACT Community Action and Quality Assurance Manager with Lead The Way Learning Academy. In these roles, he supported and enhanced programming that provided career coaching services, post-secondary preparation activities, and leadership development for high school students.
Ernest also serves as the Founding Director of The Royal Oak Initiative (ROI), an innovative chess-based social change 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 hosts chess-based community gatherings at local businesses, supports and launches chess clubs in partnership with youth-serving organizations, and facilitates intensive and engaging chess-inspired leadership development training for youth and the young at heart. Ernest strives to provide culturally-responsive chess enrichment experiences for all, with a specific focus on creating a welcoming and affirming environment for Black and Brown people.
Ernest enjoys spending his time learning and serving with New Salem Missionary Baptist Church, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. Alpha Rho Lambda Chapter and the Columbus Urban League Young Professionals.. Ernest also serves as the Lead Organizer for the Columbus Hub of Black Men Build, a political organization focused on organizing and activating Black men to build socio-political power for the Black Community. Ernest currently resides in Columbus, OH with his partner, Ivory and children, Zamya and Zenith.
VIDEOS
PODCASTS
Community Fundraising & Support
The power of community care has been a consistent theme through this tragic event.
The outpour of love from the community has held up Ernest and his family, giving them the life-giving strength and support to endure this challenging journey full of highs, lows and uncertainty. From babysitting the kids, to researching resources, to dropping off meals, to assisting with home care, to visiting and caring for Ernest, to donating… whatever the family has needed, the community has shown up with sincerity, empathy and kindness. The Levert Family sends immense gratitude to each individual and organizational gesture.
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Whitehall Nutritional Lounge - Chess Day, April 12, 2024
Nelson Design Co - Custom 3D printed Chess board to raffle, April 26, 2024
Makers Social - Donated 10% of sales, April 19th, 2024
The Healing Garden Cafe - Tea and Cakes Fundraiser, May 4th, 2024
Vibes Open Mic Hai Way - April 24th, 2024
Columbus Chess Club and The Royal Oak Initiative - Chess Tournament - June 1st, 2024
Deez Cookies - The Levert Family Box - July 1st, 2024
Stride Nation and The Royal Oak Initiative - August 16th, 2024
Ani Mwalimu Birthday Fundraiser - September 6th, 2024
One Breath At A Time, One Bead At A Time w/Tifani Kendrick - September 15th, 2024
Willowbeez SoulVeg Pop-Up at Upper Cup Chess Sundays - September 22nd, 2024
Louis Berry - Offering a percentage of business to GoFundMe
Daryl Griffith - Offering a percentage of business sales from food catering business, InJoyMeals to GoFundMe
Birthday Fundraisers - Briana Robinson, LaTanya Thornton, Janeen Holmes