She has reported on local, national, and international news, as well as entertainment, business, and sports. Erica talks and crosses generational divides, from print and broadcast to the Internet, the “Dot Com” period of New Media, and the migrations to Blogs, Apps, and Social Media. Erica is a member of Canada Enterprises' Board of Advisors.
She was a Media and Public Relations Consultant who helped Canada Enterprises create a national media campaign, and Jin+Ja spoke at the Rutgers University Food and Innovation Center in New Jersey. Erica is the President of E.C. and Associates, L.L.C., and she wears several hats, including former Beauty Queen, Plus Size Model, and Actress.
Model and spokesperson for plus-size women At “I Am-Erica” http://I-Am-Erica.com, the Plus Model and Fashionista offers a new online shopping experience emphasizing her favorites with an emphasis on the diversity in size, style, and culture of the American Woman.
Erica has been a plus model for over 20 years, having worked for Macy's, Bloomingdale's, Liz Claiborne (Elisabeth), Boscov's, Fashion Bug, and Cargo Magazine.
She also strutted the runway for the Dangerous Curves Tour on Broadway, supporting Girls; taught classes and spoke at seminars on "Empowering Your Curves" in NYC, and served on the Board of Advisors and Spokesperson for Fashion to Figure. Mrs. Lena H.
Bryant, the visionary seamstress, and businesswoman widely acknowledged for inventing maternity garments and founding the full-fashion or plus-size industry more than 100 years ago via Lane Bryant Clothing Stores, created Fashion To Figure with her great-grandsons. Erica was chosen as a brand ambassador/promotional model for the Sara Lee Corporation's Just My Size Secrets Intimates Apparel Tour.
She was a semi-finalist for a Plus Model Magazine and Model of the Month for Venus Divas, and she authored a workbook called "Getting Started" for Plus Size Models. Erica was named Miss Plus America Ambassador, fmr. Miss Plus America, Miss Plus America Spokes Model, and fmr. Miss Plus NYC.
She was also nominated for Who's Who in American Women 2007. The Insider entertainment news show featured me. For the 60th Diamond Edition of Who's Who in America, I was nominated and selected. Image and Attitude, Inc.
in New Jersey, which is a division/member of one of her platforms, was elected to the Board of Directors by the Board of Advisors.
The Women's Alliance Organization: A Bridge to Opportunity and Independence is a national organization of community-based members that provides professional clothing, job skills training, and associated services to low-income women, men, and disadvantaged teenagers who are looking for work. She gave a talk about Plus Size Modeling jobs to women at their New York office.
Erica gave talks about self-esteem and professions to young girls in Harlem, NY for the New York City Mission Society and the Lady Roc/Team Roc program Set It Off, which was sponsored by Damon Dash and Roc-A-Fella Records. The WHO Foundation Women Helping Others was one of Erica's other platforms.
Its aim is to help grassroots organizations that address the unmet needs of women and children across the country. She thinks that everyone has the ability to make a positive impact on their communities.
On May 15, 2004, the Mayor of Cherry Hill Township in Cherry Hill, NJ, in collaboration with the Cherry Hill Minorities Civic Association, declared “Erica Collins Day.” While working at the US Chamber of Commerce Broadcast Studios, Erica was selected as a speaker by the Board of Directors for the National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts in collaboration with the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce Outreach Program for New Jersey Schools.
She worked at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., where she promoted artistic activities. Erica's work has appeared in three anthologies published by the National Library of Poetry, and she has earned three editor's choice honors, including a special publication. She was nominated for Distinguished Membership in the International Society of Poets and was inducted into the organization.
Erica earned her master's degree in education and is a graduate of George Washington University in Washington, D.C., where she was important in developing a graduate-level course entitled "Jackie Robinson: Race, Sports, and the American Dream" alongside Dr. Richard Zamoff.
Erica organized and sat on an alumni panel to welcome the new course, which included former professional athletes and business backers. The Jackie Robinson Society was founded as a result of the training. The initiative has evolved into a symposium honoring people of the Washington, D.C. community and beyond who exemplify Jackie Robinson's legacy.
