Today we’d like to introduce you to Ericka English.
Ericka, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I’m a proud Beaumont, Texas native — a city about 80 miles east of Houston — and my career has always been rooted in a love for storytelling. After earning my Bachelor of Arts degree from Sam Houston State University, I began my television career as a production assistant at KTRK-13 in Houston. I worked my way up quickly, but I felt drawn to being in front of the camera and telling stories that connected people. That passion led me back home to Beaumont, where I became a news reporter, producer, and eventually the weekend anchor. Within months, I was entrusted to anchor the station’s three-hour morning newscast — an experience that shaped my voice, confidence, and resilience.
As my career grew, so did my family, and I made the decision to transition out of television and into mission-driven work. I joined the Area Agency on Aging in Southeast Texas, focusing on community outreach, and later became a Communications Specialist at Entergy Texas, Inc., where I earned several Press Club awards and completed my Master of Arts in Managerial Communications.
In 2014, I took a leap of faith and relocated to the Dallas–Fort Worth area to continue raising my family. That move opened the door to my work with Volunteers of America Texas — a place that has truly become home. Over the last 11 years, I’ve had the privilege of growing within the organization, and today I serve as the Vice President of External Relations, overseeing communications, fundraising, corporate engagement, volunteers, grants, foundation relations, and the visibility of programs that impact thousands of Texans every year. It has been the most meaningful and purpose-driven chapter of my professional life.
In addition to my work in nonprofit leadership, I’m also a children’s book author. My book, The Priceless Pact, encourages children to stand up for one another when they witness bullying. It’s a project that is incredibly close to my heart because I believe deeply in teaching kids empathy, courage, and kindness at an early age.
My path hasn’t always been linear, but it has always been rooted in my desire to tell stories, uplift communities, and use my voice to create positive change. Every experience — from the newsroom to nonprofit leadership — has shaped the woman, leader, and mother I am today.
My work has been recognized with several distinguished honors, reflecting my impact as a communicator and community leader. Awards include the Storytelling Award from the Press Club of Southeast Texas, the Brand Ambassador Innovator Award from VOA National, the Collaboration Award from VOA Texas, the Difference Maker Award from VOA Texas, and the U.S. Presidents’ Volunteer Service Award from Points of Light. Each acknowledgment highlights my dedication to meaningful storytelling, mission-driven leadership, and service to others.
I am a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.® and a charter member of the Alpha Alpha Omicron Omega Chapter where I have served on the executive committee leading public relations and membership engagement as well as public policy efforts for the organization. Most recently, I accepted the esteemed honor of membership into the Junior League of Dallas where I am currently a provisional member.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The road has definitely not been smooth, but every challenge has shaped who I am today. Working in television early in my career meant long hours, tight deadlines, and constantly proving myself in a fast-paced environment — and those very instincts became the foundation of my resilience. The ability to think quickly, adapt on the fly, and deliver under pressure prepared me more than I realized for the next chapters of my life. So when I transitioned out of news and into nonprofit and corporate communications, I leaned heavily on those skills. I had to reimagine my professional identity and trust that I could succeed outside the newsroom, and while it wasn’t easy, that reinvention is ultimately what led me to my purpose.
One of the biggest themes throughout my journey has been the ability — and the willingness — to adapt to change. Whether it was making major career shifts, navigating the dynamics of corporate America, or adjusting to organizational changes, I’ve learned to approach each transition with openness and determination. Priorities shift, leadership evolves, and strategies must re-align — but rather than resist those changes, I chose to grow through them. Each new turn stretched me, strengthened my confidence, and expanded my understanding of what I’m capable of.
And through it all, I’ve been blessed to build a career that doesn’t feel like work because I genuinely love what I do. Every role along the way — from the newsroom to nonprofit leadership — has allowed me to tell stories, uplift communities, and connect people to missions that matter. I consider it a privilege to wake up every day and pour my energy into work that aligns with my faith, heart and gives me purpose.
Looking back, the bumps in the road didn’t break me — they built me. They taught me to lead with empathy, embrace change with grace, and trust that every transition was preparing me for the next chapter of my calling.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
In my role as the Vice President of External Relations for Volunteers of America Texas, I have the privilege of overseeing communications, fundraising, corporate engagement, and brand visibility for an organization that impacts thousands of lives each year. My work sits at the intersection of storytelling, strategy, and mission — and I specialize in bringing those pieces together in ways that elevate awareness and inspire people to take action.
One of my greatest strengths is developing talent and bringing people together. I love building teams, nurturing potential, and helping individuals see what they’re capable of. I just learned one of the young men I mentored won an Emmy for his photography/videography work.
I’m also known for thinking outside the box — and thinking BIG. Whether it’s creating bold campaigns, cultivating unexpected partnerships, or finding creative angles that make a story shine, I’m always looking for ways to push beyond what’s typical and uncover what’s possible.
Some of the accomplishments I’m most proud of reflect that mindset. A standout moment in my career was branding the Dallas skyline to celebrate Volunteers of America’s national 125th anniversary — a historic, highly visible tribute to the organization’s legacy. I was also able to secure prominent media placement for VOA Texas on the front page of The Dallas Morning News for two consecutive months, an achievement that contributed to more than $150 million in earned media for the organization since I joined in 2014. These moments weren’t just wins for me — they elevated our mission, gave voice to the people we serve, and positioned VOA Texas as a respected leader in the nonprofit space.
Additionally, motherhood has also been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. Not just because I have really smart, successful and talented individuals, but because they are empathetic people that contribute positively to the family and their communities. I am extremely blessed to be their mother.
What sets me apart is the blend of creativity, strategy, and heart that I bring to my work. I’m deeply committed to making sure every story we tell reflects dignity, humanity, and impact. At the end of the day, I’m proud to do work I love, with people I admire, in service of a mission that truly matters.
Alright, so to wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
What I’d love readers to know is that your path doesn’t have to be perfect or predictable to be purposeful. (truth talk: I didn’t always think this way). Now, I’m a firm believer that every chapter — even the challenging ones — prepares you for what’s next. If you stay open to growth, trust your instincts, and allow yourself to evolve, the right opportunities will meet you where you are.
I also want to encourage anyone reading this to use their voice for good. Whether it’s advocating for your community, supporting a cause you care about, or simply showing kindness to someone who needs it, your influence is more powerful than you think. My work in nonprofit leadership and even my children’s book, The Priceless Pact, are rooted in that belief — that each of us has the ability to stand up, speak out, and make life better for someone else.
Most of all, I’m grateful. Grateful for the mentors who poured into me, the teams I’ve led, the communities I’ve served, and the career that has never felt like work because it aligns so deeply with my heart. If my story encourages even one person to dream bigger, lead with purpose, or walk confidently into their next chapter, then sharing it has been worth it.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.voatx.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/voatx/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VOATexas
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericka-english/
- Twitter: https://x.com/VOATexas
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8TOGiF7UxPcKoicd18co5g
Image Credits
Amber Shumake Photography
Johnson & Co. Photography
