As Black History Month drew to an end, famed author Ernest Hill came to speak to students at ULM about his books and his life.
Hill, a native of Oak Grove, La, has written six novels. This includes his award-winning novel “Satisfied with Nothin,’” which features the story of a young black man thrust into a “white world.”
He also promoted his new book “Family Ties,” which is part of a series about a teenage black boy who is presented with a life-altering event when his younger brother is threatened with murder by a drug dealer.
Hill started the “Ernest Hill Great Read Program” to improve the reading levels of those in poverty and the Louisiana school system.
“My goal and aim is to promote a society of avid readers and inspire students to read good books,” Hill said.
After Hill graduated high school, he was given a scholarship to play football for then-Northeast Louisiana University.
He played for the Indians until an injury forced him out of the game.
After he could no longer play football, he transferred to UC-Berkley where he graduated with a degree in social science.
He went on to receive his Masters Degree from Cornell University, which is where he began his career in writing.
It was there that he met his adviser, Henry Gates, who nudged him toward writing.
“But the final push came from a fellow graduate student, who challenged me to write a novel after hearing my thesis,” Hill said.
Hill wrapped up what had been a month full of inspirational black speakers, educators and authors.
“I am very pleased about the quality of the programming offered at ULM in observance of Black History Month,” said Wayne Brumfield, vice president for student affairs. “The community, our faculty, staff and students will enjoy and learn from the variety of speakers and programs.”
Ernest Hill’s books are available on Amazon, and anyone looking to contact him for speaking events may do so at [email protected].
