Michael E. Crutcher, Sr.
Ironically, Michael E. Crutcher, Sr.  was born on September 3—the same day that Frederick Douglass escaped slavery and started a new life.

A retiree from the United States Army, and former assistant professor at University of Kentucky’s Lexington Community College, Crutcher began his acting career with Images Modeling and Acting Agency in Lexington, Kentucky. Since then, he has been in several television commercials and training videos. He was a stand-in actor in the movie Seabiscuit and can be seen in the movie Dreamer, with actors Dakota Fanning and Kurt Russell.

Crutcher’s current role was inspired after research revealed his great-great grandfather, Daniel Gilchrist, was a member of the 13th United States Colored Troops Heavy Artillery out of Camp Nelson, Kentucky.

He also discovered that Daniel’s father was from Virginia, where Douglass’ lineage was traced to before his family moved to Maryland where Daniel's mother was from.

Crutcher is a devout scholar of Frederick Douglass and believes his calling is to share Douglass’ principle of freedom, equality, religion, and self-esteem.