Nelson Hewitt

Nelson Oliver Hewitt, 76, of Columbus, Ohio passed away July 2, 2024.

Nelson was born in Louisville, Kentucky on March 6, 1948 to the late William and Agnes Hewitt.

Nelson was a faithful man of the cloth. At an early age, he took interest in God and religion. He worked hard to be the bridge for youth grappling with Christianity and the church, often supporting his peers to come towards Christ.

Nelson was an anointed minister, theologian, and scholar, and was gifted in making the Bible understandable. He served as a minister in the Pentecostal Church and then became a pastor for the CME (Christian Methodist Episcopal) Church. Through the end of his life, Nelson’s faith was a staple in his day to day activity.

Nelson was an incredibly accomplished man professionally. Often affectionately named, ‘Mr. Diversity’, his days as a social justice pioneer began early as he attended schools in the initial stages of desegregation. Nelson studied Psychology and had an early start with Diversity Management Consulting. This would be the beginning of a beautiful network of peers in Diversity Consulting that were in communication with him through his last days. He worked with the City of Cincinnati and City of Columbus in EEOC work until his retirement from the the latter in 2017. Nelson continued as a consultant until the beginning of 2024. His long term business partner Sophie Bronstein was a fixture in his career. He was known to boast about legacy work and being able to partner with his daughter, Karen Hewitt. He spoke highly and often about the mentorship he received from Antje Mattheus early in his career and the lasting connections he made in the Diversity field with his forever brothers, Keith, Fran, Michael, and Felix. Nelson had an uncanny way of connecting with people quickly and across difference, never meeting a stranger.

Nelson was a family man. His daughters and their children were his pride and joy. He loved time with family laughing, sharing stories, and having intellectual and spiritual discourse. He and his wife Michelle were very fond of travel and great experiences, specifically to their timeshare in St. Pete Beach, Florida. Their week was always the week of July 4th, so it is no surprise that the beach sounds called him home during that week this year. Nelson stayed connected with his cousins (Robert, Sharon, Janice, Judy, Phyliss, Greg, Son) and always spoke fondly of his interactions with them. Nelson also had a knack for finding brotherhood since the time he pledged Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity in college in Louisville. Nelson found a brotherhood in men across race and class status wherever he went.

Nelson lived out his personal dream of seeing the ‘beloved community’, described by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. come to fruition during his life. Nelson was a charismatic force in any room and left his mark wherever he was. He gave that gift to his bloodline and he will prove to be unforgettable.

Nelson was an experience. Time with him generally meant great banter, music, food, and lots of laughter and connection. If you were fortunate enough to work with or be around Nelson for any amount of time, you would understand how words don’t quite do it all justice. Nelson will continue to live on through his legacy of connection across difference, work hard and play hard mentality, and live with great faith moral imperative.

Nelson is preceded in death by: his parents William and Agnes Hewittt, his sister Anna Robinson, his grandson Justin Hewitt.

Surviving immediate family includes: his wife Michelle Burstion, Sr., his Brothers Terry Brown (Virginia) and Glenn Hewitt, his Daughters Kim Hewitt, Christina Day (Joe Day), and Karen Hewitt (Erin Upchurch), his Grandchildren Ryanne Kelly (Douglas Davis Jr.), Jalyn Hewitt, and Jordyn Hewitt, and his Great Grandchildren Roman Lott, Douglas Davis III, Jayelle Hewitt-Kelso, and Wilder Hewitt.

If you would like to connect with the family for further storytelling, reminiscing, and sharing, please contact Karen Hewitt at khewittconsulting@gmail.com.

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