Ernest Lowery, is a native of Chicago, IL and a U.S. Navy veteran. He founded the Chesapeake chapter of Juneteenth, in 2021 because of his belief in the organization and his yearning to educate the Hampton Roads community. In January 2019, he established the Chesapeake Juneteenth Foundation Inc. a 501 (3) (C) organization.

 Ernest retired from Ford Motor Company and prides himself for being on the cutting edge of building the F-150 truck. His employment with Ford Motor Company included teaching Sexual and other Harassment workshops plantwide. He chaired the Civil Rights Committee and Community Action Program, as well as served as a staff writer for UAW local 919/Norfolk Assembly Plant newsletter, local 919 Women Committee and served as a union representative.  Mr. Lowery was Vice-President of Virginia Alliance for Retired Americans. 

Currently, Ernest Lowery is a member of the Board for the New Chesapeake Men for Progress Education Foundation, Inc.  He is Co – Chairman of the Historical committee and a member of the Publicity & Public Relations Committee.  Ernest is proud to be a recipient of the distinguished President’s Award. As an original member of the Chesapeake Men for Progress Inc., he is proud to be designated as the official photographer for both organizations. 

You can find Mr. Lowery always working in the community. He volunteers for the New Journal and Guide newspaper as a writer and photographer, and as a member of the Chesapeake Democratic Women, Inc.  Ernest also serves on the City of Chesapeake Historic Preservation Commission.  As an independent entrepreneur of Lowrey’s Video and Photography he has videotaped/photographed people of interest in politics, music, and organizations throughout the United States, Virgin Islands and West Africa. He has received many awards and worked on several documentaries. As a member of the former Southeastern Virginia Arts Association (SEVAA), he was awarded first place for best photography for three years and has provided lasting memories through his photographic and video work in the Norfolk, VA area, AFR’AM FEST cultural event history, and many other community projects too numerous to name. 

Ernest most recent accomplishment is the local Chesapeake Juneteenth Festival on June 18, 2022.  He believes by celebrating the history and culture of African Americans, young and old will be reminded of the decades of struggles for equality reflecting on issues of racism, police brutality, voting rights, health care, food insecurity, equal education, black on black crime and unemployment, as the struggle continues today.

Ernest is a true believer in Jesus Christ and serves as the lead trustee for The Way, The Truth and The Life ministries in Portsmouth, VA.  Ernest is single and the father of four adult children.