Meet Keana Ervin of A Voice Heard in North Dallas

Today we’d like to introduce you to Keana Ervin.

Keana, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
When I was a child, I witnessed my mother going through domestic violence with my youngest brother’s dad. I remember getting my two youngest brothers and stopping their ears up so they wouldn’t hear the yelling and cursing. The hardest part was when my mother was hospitalized from him nearly putting her eye out. I remember my mom crying and saying, she was leaving him because she couldn’t take it anymore and she did. Unfortunately, one summer as we were on vacation in our hometown of Pittsburg, TX, my mother was in Lake Charles Louisiana working and taking some nursing classes to give us a better life but in the process of it, all her life was taking at the age of 36 by a vicious man. I was only 16 at the time and getting that horrible news gave me a nervous breakdown. My siblings and I were separated because my grandmother was disabled and couldn’t care for us all. I remained with my grandmother and my siblings were with another family. It was so hard not having my mom to teach me certain things about life. I soon got out of high school and had my first son. I told myself that I would give my son the best that I could and I would never let anyone hurt us. By the time I was 23, I had my second son. I then moved to Dallas, TX and met this guy whom I thought the world of. He showered me with everything I never had before and I fell in love with him. Soon after, I became pregnant with our son and the nightmare began. He started changing. He would start a fight with me just because I remember telling him about my mom and how she lost her life and I feared the fact that I never wanted to die like that. The fighting continued so I left him with everything we had and started over because I was tired of the fighting and I had to get my babies out of there. He found out where we stayed and broke in my home and was hiding until I went to bed. He came out with a knife in his hand and told me, if he couldn’t have me, no one could and held me down stabbing at me. I managed to get out leaving my babies behind to save my life, so I could still be here for them and not having someone else raise them like we were. At the time, I didn’t know I had been severely injured. After that, he destroyed my home and was later caught by the authorities and did 7 years in prison. Since then, I knew I had to do something to end domestic violence. So, as the years went by, I tried a lot of different jobs but was always led back to my calling from God. I’m always thinking 24/7 on how and what to do to put this horrible disease to a halt. So, I came up with “A VOICE HEARD”, meaning that every voice that’s going through a domestic violence situation will and can be heard and not overlooked. I want to hear every victim one day say, “I AM A SURVIVOR”.

Has it been a smooth road?
Not at all. Being that, I was a single mother raising 3 young boys, I went back to school and worked at the same time. Sometimes, I’d be too tired to eat but had to make sure my kids ate. After a while, I had to take care of my grandmother for almost 12 years whom I loved dearly but lost her at my home in 2011. I couldn’t do a lot because I couldn’t leave her alone too much. So, I put my dreams on hold up until she passed. When I started “A VOICE HEARD” up, I couldn’t get any help with anything. Of course, we all know that it takes money to do anything. In April of this year, God opened those doors. I was driving and my cell started ringing it was this guy name Douglas Elliott from Next Level Internet Radio saying he got my name and number from a friend of mine’s who’s a DJ in the Dallas area name DJ CALIE. He immediately asked if I would be a personality at the station and I could choose my days or nights. He said that what I’m doing is well needed and I started to cry as I told him yes! I was so happy that someone was interested in what I was doing and was willing to give me an opportunity to let my voice be heard. Ever since then, things have been going well and getting better. When people ask me how far I want to take this, I tell them beyond the stars because I feel that there’s no end when it comes to the stars.

We’d love to hear more about your business.
It’s a non-profit set out to stop domestic violence. I speak at events educating and telling others that there is away out and there is life after the pain. I mostly help victims regain self-confidence, I’m known for having a kind heart, being goofy at times and helping others who have been through what I’ve been through overcome the fears of darkness. Also, I’m a family person that loves to see happiness in others. I’ve even opened my home up to people I barely even knew. Everyone that knows me personally knows that I’m a huge football fan and love New Orleans Saints. I’m mostly proud that when I do a show or speak at an event, people reach out and thank me for giving them hope. That really warms my heart and puts a smile on my face. I feel that I’m different because nothing or no one will stop me from getting what I’m set out to do done. I’m on a mission to stop the violence and I will make it to all 50 states and some to let my voice be heard.

Is our city a good place to do what you do?
Yes, Dallas is where it started with me and since then, I’ve seen way too many lose their lives to domestic violence. Yes, because Dallas is a beautiful city.

Contact Info:

• Address: 128 Quail Run Seagoville, TX 75159
• Phone: 972-449-1880
• Email: avoiceheard18@gmail.com
• Facebook: A VOICE HEARD W / LADY K
• Other: NEXT LEVEL INTERNET RADIO

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