Comments and Testimonies

Reverend Ervin:

We, the members of the Caleb and Deana Chenault Family Reunion 2009 [Dayton, OH], thank you for your stirring presentation on this past Saturday, July 10, 2009,

The consideration of faith as the powerful construct that undergirds the press toward freedom of oppressed peoples everywhere, continues to be an extreme challenge, especially as it applies to the struggles of African American people here in this country and around the world.  Thank you for opening our eyes, expanding our base of knowledge and taxing each of us to reflect on the duties and responsibilities related to our own learning and sharing of the facts and concepts relating to our inherited experiences that will surely come our way.

Thank you so much. 

[Rev] Jerrie L. Bascome McGill _______________________________________________________________________________________

ABSOLUTELY OUTSTANDING! I hope the students [College of Mt. St. Joseph] appreciated the presentation.

Mr. Ervin, I am 35 years old and I have experienced several presentations and lectures throughout my personal life, student life and professional life. The two times I have experienced your presentations, it has brought me to chills. A listener can truly feel your passion for the subject.

Robert Pierce III - Feb. 07
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Dear Rev. Ervin:

We were privy to have had the opportunity to follow you around to listen to your dynamic and motivational chronicles of slavery when we brought a group of students from Voorhees College (VC) – Denmark, SC to the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center on Saturday, November 4, 2006.

You delivered the most heart-wrenching depictions of the slavery era so realistically that I just wanted to holler, scream and cry until I could cry no more and I know others wanted to follow in my footsteps!!!  I still get the shivers whenever I think of how you fully illustrated the frustrations, fears and anxieties of what our African-Americans must have felt and gone through at that time. We truly enjoyed you…

I have shared the aforementioned thoughts with my supervisor who is responsible for spear-heading our Black History Month Programs at VC as all of us who heard you believe that you would be the ideal individual to use. And we would very much like for you to come and share your knowledge with our student body.

Lynda Daniel Jefferson - Nov. 06

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Rev. Ervin:

I am a 36-year old white male with one disappointment about the center today,and that is the fact that most of my classmates from Miami University didn't or couldn't make it. My heart raced as I stood by in awe of the passion you use in your presentation. I just sent e-mails to some of my classmates to tell them of my experience at the center and how you contributed to it. I specifically told them that if presented with an opportunity to take in the center, by all means do so and if possible, look for a tour given by you.

I appreciate what you and the center bring to the area.... The center and your presentation of the slave pen begs emotion.

Michael Conley - Dec. 06

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Doug,

Our family (my daughter, niece and I) truly enjoyed your presentation on the "quilt", mural and slave pen. It was very informative. Although I have now visited the Freedom Center on six occasions, I learn more and more things on each visit.  Much of my continued learning experience has to do with your presentations. 

Doug, you have a wonderful way of bringing history to "life".  Your presentation approach makes history a part of "today’s" environment; today's stories. As a student of History (M.A. Degree in History from UCLA) and a former instructor in the Pan-African Studies department at California State University, Los Angeles, I have a deep and sincere desire to ensure that our past is not lost or forgotten by keeping it in the forefront of our youth and adult's minds. 

One of the things I continue to emphasize when I talk about history (or historical events) is to link it to current situations in our communities, our country and in our world.  I want people to realize that we have connections to events and people of the past. Doug, I find you doing the same thing and I applaud you for that. Take care, my brother and keep up your good work.

Thomas [Meade] - Dec. 06

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As I read [Step by Step], I felt like I was there, with Reverend Shuttlesworth.  It was such a detailed and honest description of his life and experiences that I felt like I actually knew the Reverend.  And I felt myself wanting to jump in and both support and defend Reverend Shuttlesworth.  I am truly amazed and disappointed that this story was not a part of my education growing up and still remains left out of most curricula today.  As I read, I knew I had to make sure that my students knew Shuttlesworth's story and what an integral part he played in the movement.  After reading his story, I saw Shuttlesworth at the center of the movement and though he claims he does not need fame, I want to tell everyone his story because of the immense credit I think he deserves and never received.

Molly Bortz, Walnut Hills High School (Cincinnati)