Ericka Ellis-Stewart has lived in Charlotte since 1992 and is a long-time advocate for education.  Her professional career and volunteer leadership has touched many facets of the Charlotte community.  Over the past seventeen years, she has lead two non-profit organizations, Right Moves for Youth and the Johnston YMCA.  Prior to these posts, Ericka worked for Hands On Charlotte and NCCJ a national human relations non-profit organization.  Her background as a leader in the non-profit community provides tremendous understanding of the issues impacting Mecklenburg County.

Her work includes creating prevention-based programs for at-risk children, providing advocacy and a framework for supportive services to families living in public housing, and working to improve the physical health and well-being of Charlotte residents.  She has also served on a number of local boards, committees and task forces.

Ericka is an accomplished leader who has been recognized by Essence Magazine, the Charlotte Business Journal, The Charlotte and NC Jaycees and PRIDE Magazine.  She earned a Bachelor of Arts from Queens College (Charlotte) and is a certified Six Sigma Green Belt. 

She is married to Marcus Stewart.  They have two children one in high school and one in college.

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 Long History of CMS Involvement & Leadership

ü   School Leadership Team Chairman – Harding University High School

ü   PTSA Scholarship Committee Chairman - Harding University High School

ü   School Leadership Team Member – Piedmont IB Middle School

ü   PTSA Legislative Affairs Committee Chair – Billingsville Montessori

ü   PTSA Member – Highland Mill Montessori

ü   Mentor – Performance Learning Center (CMS High School)

ü   Title I Mentor – Merry Oaks Elementary School

ü   Inaugural CMS Character Education Task Force

ü   CMS Long-Range Facilities Master Plan Citizen Advisory Committee

ü   Citizen’s Task Force on Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools - Facilitator

Engaged Citizen

ü   Mecklenburg County Crime & Justice Task Force - Member

ü   City of Charlotte Neighborhood Matching Grants Committee – Member

ü   Community Relations Committee (CRC) - City of Charlotte

ü   Women in Public Service – Alumna

ü   “Achieve Together” Community Circle – Participant & Education Advocate

ü   Leadership North Carolina – Alumna

ü   Focus On Leadership – Class X

ü   Former Camp ANYTOWN Director

ü   Catawba Lands Conservancy - Former Board Member

ü   Clean Air Carolinas - Board Member

ü   NC ASA - Board Member

Recognized Community Leader

ü   40 Under 40 Award – Charlotte Business Journal

ü   Pride Magazine - Emerging Leader Award

ü   Ten Outstanding Young Charlotteans Award – Charlotte Jaycees

ü   Leadership NC/Governor Jim Hunt’s Office – Achievement Recognition

ü   Five Outstanding Young North Carolinians – NC Jaycees

Experienced Professional

ü   Experienced Non-Profit Executive / Health & Human Services Leader

ü   Former Executive Director, Right Moves for Youth (Drop-Out Prevention Agency) and the Johnston YMCA in NoDa

ü   Former Community Relations & Development Manager, Hands On Charlotte

Wife & Mother

ü   Married to Marcus Stewart

ü   Mother of two school-age children