Erica D. Atwood

Erica D. Atwood has nearly two decades of experience in communications, project management, community outreach and advocacy.

Over the years, Erica has been a thought leader within the community and has been involved in a number of non-profit organizations and currently serves as Senior Consultant for Cities United, Board Chair and mentor for the Philadelphia Youth Poetry Movement, Board Member for the Black Male Educators' convening, as well as the Community Outreach Committee for the Opera Company of Philadelphia.

She most recently served as Director of Black Male Engagement for the City of Philadelphia in the Office of Mayor Michael A. Nutter. In this role, Erica worked to align resources and initiatives with a specific goal to reduce disparities of economic and social outcomes for Black men and boys, and the communities in which they live. Within city government Erica has also directed External Affairs for the Mayor’s Office and was Deputy City Representative serving as a protocol officer and overseeing management of special projects.

In 2008, she was named one of the 101 Emerging Connectors by Leadership Philadelphia, is a 2014 Drexel University Leading for Change Fellow, and a member of the Annie E. Casey Foundation Applied Leadership Network for Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative.

Erica is an alum of Howard University and originally hails from Camden, New Jersey.