Erica Lynn was born and raised in Lansing, MI, spending most of her childhood on the East side of Lansing before moving to the South side as a teen, proudly graduating from Everett High School. She enjoyed a 17 year career with the American Cancer Society in leadership roles involving project and people management, fundraising, and consulting. She is currently a Senior Project Coordinator in the Center for Culturally Responsive Engagement at MPHI, supporting projects in which the most impacted are at the center of conversations that seek to find solutions to problems affecting them.In 2019 Erica co-founded The Village Lansing; a non-profit dedicated to combating gun violence through prevention efforts, intervention with those at risk, and supporting those affected. She also co-hosts Merica 20 to Life, a vodcast that aims to educate, motivate, spark conversation, and inspire action through conversations about what’s in the news, current events, entertainment, politics, and everyday life.
Previously Erica Co-Chaired the Lansing Branch Women in the NAACP Committee, was a 13 year Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Team Captain for the American Cancer Society, and served as the Lansing Support Group Leader for the Michigan Lupus Foundation. Erica was also instrumental in bringing the Advance Peace initiative to Lansing, serving on the Planning and Stakeholders Group. She also served on the Lansing School District’s Equity Data Team, supporting the District’s systemic equity review by analyzing data, identifying root causes, and developing recommendations to address identified inequities.
She remains heavily involved in the Lansing community, regularly attending neighborhood meetings, city council, and council committee meetings. She is currently running for the Lansing City Council Charter Commission, hoping to contribute her experience and passion for fostering community resilience, to ensure that our city's foundational document reflects the needs of all residents.
Erica is dedicated to building capacity in her community and mission driven work. She is very passionate about addressing the root causes of gun violence, health and racial equity, and social justice. She is excited about her efforts to build the Lansing Empowerment Network and the impact that it will undoubtedly have in our community.