Ericka Bates

Ericka L. Bates is a free-spirited and ambitious writer from Richmond, VA. She grew up always very passionate about writing and always making a statement. Her mother always told her, she’d be a lawyer or do radio, because she could always TALK. Well, radio came to fruition at a period of time after high school jumping into an internship under ‘The Radio Renegades,’ Sean Anthony and Big Keith of Power 92.1 in Richmond. Ericka mentored under Sean and Keith for a few years then entering into a Promotions Assistant position for Cox Media Group’s four sister stations in Richmond. During that time, Ericka was also acknowledged in Sean Anthony's book, "Conversations With Hip Hop," for helping with the project. However, Ericka had another plan; while radio was good to her, it wasn’t her real passion and dream. Ericka was inspired by another popular radio personality, TT Torrez, whom now works for Hot 97 in NY, to start her very own blog in 2008. At that time, blogging had become a “thang!” Ericka started covering content for her own platform and then took a hiatus from it for a while, due to personal reasons. She never stopped writing in the meantime. She wrote and interned for 'The Jasmine Brand,' for a few months in 2013. Then, she picked back up in 2016 building a portfolio with outlets, like RESPECT. Magazine. She helped to build their online presence, as well as write for ThinkPynk online currently. Ericka took a class during the summer of 2016, with award-winning Journalist, Aliya S. King and since mentoring, has continuously embarked on her Freelance career in hopes of pursuing full-time. She continues to have love for the industry and life itself, just enjoying the journey.

Ericka also studied Liberal Arts at J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College.