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Revision as of 21:43, 29 August 2019 by Spicy (talk | contribs) (Reverted 2 pending edits by 128.112.173.171 to revision 912468810 by El C: Unsourced, WP:BLP violation.)(diff) ← Previous revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff) American politician
| Erica Thomas | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Member of the Georgia House of Representatives from the 39th district | |
| Incumbent | |
| Assumed office January 12, 2015 | |
| Preceded by | Alisha Thomas Morgan |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1987-08-12) August 12, 1987 (age 37) Fayetteville, North Carolina |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Opeyemi Adeyemi |
| Residence | Austell, Georgia |
| Alma mater | Oakwood University |
Erica Renee Thomas (born August 12, 1987) is an American politician and youth leader. Thomas is the Georgia State Representative of District 39. She is also the founder of Speak Out Loud, a local nonprofit dedicated to giving a voice to foster children.
Thomas received the 2013 Ambassador for Peace Award from the Global Peace Foundation. She was recognized by the Georgia Center for Nonprofits (GCN), as a Nonprofit Leader and given the 30 under 30 Award for 2016.
Early life and education
Thomas was born in Fayetteville, North Carolina, and she grew up in Knoxville, Tennessee. She studied at Carter High School, Cocke County High School, and Oakwood University.
Career
Legislative service
Thomas first gained experience with the General Assembly serving as Legislative Aide to the previous representative from House District 39, she ran for the same office and won in 2014 when her predecessor went ahead to seek a higher office. She is currently serving her second term in office. She is currently serving on the Retirement, Budget and Fiscal Policy, Juvenile Justice and Science and Technology Committees.
In 2015, Thomas was a guest speaker at the Black Business Empowerment Convention of Georgia.
International development leadership and non-profit work
Thomas sits on the board of nonprofits. She runs Speak Out Loud, a local nonprofit she founded that is dedicated to providing a voice to foster children. The organization has expanded across the country and has chapters in Nigeria. Thomas has worked to establish libraries in various locations in Africa.
Incident at Publix
On July 19, 2019, Thomas was in a Publix supermarket express lane when she alleges a man "degraded and berated" her. Thomas later contacted police requesting the man be charged. Upon completion of their investigation, the Cobb County police announced no charges would be filed.
Awards and honors
- 2013 Ambassador of Peace Award
- 100 Black Men of America's Image Award
- Atlanta Leading Ladies
- National Action Network Action and Authority award
References
- ^ "Rep. Erica Thomas (D-39)" (PDF). Georgia House of Representatives. Retrieved January 25, 2017.
- "30 Under 30 Award Recipients for 2016". YNPN Atlanta. November 1, 2016. Retrieved January 25, 2017.
- "Black Business Empowerment Convention of Georgia". ATL Event Listings. Retrieved January 25, 2017.
- "White man denies saying 'Go back where you came from'". The Washington Post. Associated Press. July 20, 2019. Retrieved July 21, 2019.
- Wu, Nicholas; Cummings, William (July 20, 2019). "Georgia state lawmaker Erica Thomas now uncertain man told her to 'go back to where you came from'". USA Today. Retrieved July 21, 2019.
{{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - Elliot, Richard (July 22, 2019). "State representative says she was 'scared for her life' during Publix incident". WSB-TV Atlanta. Retrieved July 23, 2019.
- Johnson, Larry Felton (July 23, 2019). "Cobb Police: No Charges In Publix Incident Involving Erica Thomas". Retrieved July 28, 2019.
- "2015 Annual Youth Achievement Luncheon" (PDF). 100 Black Men of North Metro, Inc. April 11, 2015. Retrieved January 25, 2017.
- Caslin, Yvette (March 22, 2016). "Atlanta's Leading Ladies at Walker's Legacy Women's Leadership Brunch". Rolling Out. Retrieved January 25, 2017.
- "NAN Honors Women Who Answered The Call To Action". National Action Network. September 17, 2015. Retrieved January 25, 2017.
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded byAlisha Thomas Morgan | Georgia State Representative 2014–present |
Succeeded byIncumbent |
- 1987 births
- Living people
- Politicians from Fayetteville, North Carolina
- Women state legislators in Georgia (U.S. state)
- Members of the Georgia House of Representatives
- Georgia (U.S. state) Democrats
- American women company founders
- American nonprofit chief executives
- African-American politicians
- African-American state legislators in Georgia (U.S. state)
- African-American women in politics
- Oakwood University alumni
- 21st-century American politicians
- 21st-century American women politicians