The remaining members of Black Health Alert are mourning the loss of our leader, friend and colleague Earnest Edward Hite, Jr.

Ernie made his transition on Monday evening and as the day set on his final hours here on earth the heavens opened to greet its newest deserving soul. We are in such sorrow and pain today we know that to fulfill his purpose we must move forward on the issues that his leadership has brought us.

He was a radical for change with purpose of community empowerment and education. He is missed so much today, that we will never let him to be forgotten. He would be the claim in the storm. He would save us as he provided clarity to confusion.

He was a gentleman our protector and navigator through various forms of wilderness. It's going to take us a minute to map our next steps and we will do so deliberately and appropriately. Until that time if you pray, pray for us all as you pray for yourself during this time. The Lord is leading on and victory is assured.

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My Letter To My Colleague,

I am still crying after 24 hours of being told of your passing. Every minute I think I'm through I see your face or hear the echo of your voice and another flow of grief and mourning flows.

You are so proud and humble to announce the meaning of your initials E.E.H. and stating your name is Earnest Edward Hite, to me your initials will forever stand for Education and Empowerment. That was the presence that you brought to everything you did.

I feel so selfish to want more from you and not to accept that it is your time to rest. Your resting is not to be my downfall but a message for me to hear everything you said. When we worked together people may see and say I'm like lighting, but what they may have overlooked is that you were the lighting rod. You were no Blue Frog every place you went you were the insistence of purpose and principal.

If we should be honored by your spirit it will be due to our desire to celebrate the full joy of your living. It will never be forgotten that you challenged some mighty dragons slaying them with the beauty of your smile and comforting of your wit and intellect. In your victory there were scores of cheers and apprehension relieved.

It is from the deepest place of sorrow I know you are experiencing a well deserved rest and peace. I will forever remember your last message of "Collective Work and Responsibility, Something We Can Do Together" as a place to launch, and then the time will come that the time will connect with time and then move on. These people will be changed and your words will fulfill their own prophecy and my tears will nourish.