Meet Ernest Hawkins | Insurance Claims Specialists, Owner EWH Logistics, & Mental Health Advocate

We had the good fortune of connecting with Ernest Hawkins and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Ernest, maybe we can start at the very start – the idea – how did you come up with the idea for your business?
I came up with the idea for RunWithE back in 2016. I was a member of the running group, Movers And Pacers est. 2013, located here in Atlanta, Georgia. As I got more involved with the group, and as the miles that I ran with them added up. I started to notice a positive change within myself mentally.

I noticed how much the sport of running was helping me to deal with my depression and mental health struggles. I also noticed how beneficial the relationships that I made with people in the group were to me, and having that community support proved to be a great outlet for me dealing with my mental setbacks. I decided it was time to spread the word and promote the sport of running as a way to create a positive mental health space. My only motivation and goal with RunWithE as a non profit organization, is to just play my part and help to spread the message and keep the conversation going regarding mental health within the black community.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My career is in the insurance industry, I am a claims specialist with State Farm. I have been in the insurance industry for two years now. Having previously served in the law-enforcement industry, I decided it was time to make a change and to help serve people in a more controlled environment. Having been in law enforcement, you were there to help assist people at the exact moment of tragedy and bad circumstance. I have come to discover in working in the insurance industry that I can also be of service after the fact, to help people put their lives back together after disaster strikes. to give people a sense of comfort and assurance that material things can be replaced, and that all that matters is our physical and mental well-being. I have gotten to where I am today professionally, by constantly seeking for my purpose in life. I am proud of myself for not giving up on pursuing a profession that would allow me to be of service to people. I am also the owner of EWH Logistics. It is a company that provides freight dispatching for independent logistics carriers. I have spent many years working with major logistics, companies such as UPS, Amazon, and the United States Postal Service in the past. One thing I learned from my past professional experiences is that freight transportation will always be in demand.
Being a business owner allows me the freedom to live my life more on my own terms, and to focus on what matters to me the most, such as being a father to my four year-old daughter.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
That is the beauty of Atlanta, you can find great food, unique culture, and an interesting experience regardless of what area of Atlanta you visit. If I had the task of being a tour specific days would be tailored to different areas of the city. For instance Monday would be a visit to Stone Mountain over in East Atlanta. Tuesday could be a visit to the Sweet Auburn District where we could explore and educate ourselves on the rich black history of Atlanta. Wednesday could be Chattahoochee bamboo Forest maybe also a tube ride down the river. Thursday could be a day spent hanging out in Piedmont Park, walking the Beltline, and doing some shopping and eating at the Ponce City Market. Friday could be spent hiking the mountain in Kennesaw, and perhaps catching a Hawks game that evening.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Without a doubt, I have to give a major shout out to my running group here in Atlanta, Georgia, Movers and Pacers. They have undoubtedly been such a blessing to me as a running community, but even more as a family. They are truly an amazing community of people. Over the years, I have created a lot of fond memories with this group as we have ran and served the city of Atlanta. They have been an amazing support system, and ally to my mental health non-profit RunWithE, and I will always be grateful for their support.
Movers and Pacers has been going strong for 10 years now, and I’m looking forward to what the next 10 years will bring. Feel free to follow MoversAndPacers on Instagram for our Run schedule. Your body and your mind will thank you for it.

Website: www.EWHLOGISTICS.com

Instagram: SirHawkins_/RunWithE/EWHLogistics

Linkedin: LinkedIn.com/in/ernestwhawkins0618

Twitter: @SirEHawkins

Yelp: EWHLOGISTICS

Image Credits
DroneJonesMedia Artemus Jenkins WoozWillShoot