#148 - The Power of Authenticity With Morris Ervin Jr

My guest today, Morris Ervin Jr, has changed the lives of countless students and teachers through the work he does as an educator, entertainer and motivational speaker. Morris' authenticity shines through in this conversation as does the devotion and commitment he has for making the world a better place. In this episode, we dive into the work he does as a consultant, his experiences teaching in South Central Los Angeles, and the childhood trauma he had to overcome to be able to begin his own process of healing. Morris also shares how he and his family are dealing with recently testing positive for COVID and the impact that this has had on their lives. Morris is an inspiration and a shining light in a world that needs people like him to do the work that they are doing. Thank you to Morris for your time and energy.

About Morris
Morris H Ervin, Jr. is an educator, entertainer, motivational speaker, and Youth Development Professional committed to helping the youth, families, communities, and institutions “turn fear into strength, and pain into passion.” Morris is the founder of Mansa Consulting and he has provided assemblies, workshops, mentoring programs, and leadership camps/retreats to 1,000s of students in over a dozen school districts across the country. For more than a decade, Morris’s programs, trainings, and retreats have helped the youth:

• Develop critical thinking skills
• Learn and apply character strengths
• Build solid interpersonal communication skills
• Become confident and assertive in how they live
• Embrace the peace and harmony inside themselves
• Become reflective and purposeful about shaping their own future

Morris has spread his excitement, optimism, and passion to schools, churches,community centers, juvenile detention camps, colleges, and universities from the east to the west coast. He has developed curriculum and provided coaching to programs in districts from Compton to Ventura, California. Mansa Consulting has partnered with organizations such as FAMLI INC, Peace Over Violence, Making A Difference Consulting, and The California Conference for Equality and Justice providing Teen Summits that shape and empower our future leaders of tomorrow. Morris writes children’s songs to teach healthy habits and promote literacy development. Morris also writes and performs hip-hop music and performs on stages across the country using his humor and storytelling abilities. Morris is the Education Director for Open Doors Academy a non-profit that serves low income youth and families through extended learning opportunities, summer programming, and a college ready curriculum that challenges students to reach their full potential. Morris has a Bachelor’s Degree in secondary education from Kent State University and he is currently pursuing his master’s degree in Community Counseling. Morris believes that the ultimate measure of a man is seen through the eyes of his family. He has a beautiful wife, two teenage children, and two dogs. His ultimate, inspiration, motivation, and drive are fueled by his family’s love and unconditional support.

Connect With Morris:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/morris.ervin.1
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/therealmansa/?hl=en

Special thanks to Bronx based band Conversing with Oceans and Alex Bondarev for creating the podcast music.
https://www.conversingwithoceans.com/