The Honorable Erica Thomas is a trailblazer, as one of the youngest members of any state’s legislative body and one of the first orphans to hold political office. She is a versatile young leader serving in many capacities as author, speaker, mentor, philanthropist, political consultant, media personality, nationally renowned foster care advocate, Brand Ambassador and Georgia State Representative, representing Georgia’s 39th house district in Cobb County.
Erica Thomas
Author, Founder, & Mother, Georgia State Representative-District 39
Rep. Thomas has taken a demanding global approach to the economic and environmental development of the world. As an innovative trailblazer and entrepreneur with a passion for inspiring others, she is the founder of Speak Out Loud, a nonprofit which focuses on public speaking, leadership development, training and advocacy. Speak Out Loud is dedicated to giving a voice to foster children who have been silenced by their circumstances and has expanded and organized across the country with chapters in Botswana and Nigeria. In 2013, Rep. Thomas was awarded the Ambassador for Peace Award from the Global Peace Foundation and has worked to establish libraries in various locations on the continent of Africa.
As a media personality and political commentator, Rep. Thomas has appeared on CNN, MSNBC, FOX and other major television networks. Additionally, she can be heard as a political commentator on radio talks shows including The Tom Joyner Morning Show and the Ryan Cameron Show to name a few. She is the recipient of many awards and recognitions such as: 100 Black Men of America’s Image award, Who’s Who of Atlanta’s Most Influential, and TV One’s Triumph Award through the National Action Network founded by The Rev. Al Sharpton. Rep. Thomas has demonstrated leadership at many levels in the Georgia General Assembly: Vice Chair of the House Democratic Caucus, member of the Millennial Caucus, and founder/Co-Chair of the newly formed Georgia Entertainment Caucus. She is the co-founder of the Young Professionals Club of Cobb County and the creator of “Foster Care Day in Georgia”.
Her growing list of achievements include: recipient of a Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award from President Barack H. Obama, Apex Society’s “Power 30 Under 30”, and Atlanta’s Who’s Who “Most Influential” Award.
Rep. Thomas resides in Austell, GA with her husband OJ and their two daughters. She can be found on social media (Facebook, Instagram and Twitter) under the name ItsEricaThomas.