Erika Patterson is an accomplished community organizer and policy expert with extensive experience in social justice advocacy. She received her Master of Urban and Regional Planning from UCLA and a BA in Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies from San Francisco State University. Throughout her career, she has held several leadership positions, including Campaigns Director at Bargaining for the Common Good, Campaign Director at Action Center on Race and the Economy (ACRE), and Deputy Director at Jobs to Move America. Erika has also worked as a Senior Policy Analyst/Researcher at the Los Angeles Alliance for a New Economy and as a Policy Associate for California Assemblymember Fiona Ma. Prior to her work in policy and advocacy, Erika gained experience as an ESL 2nd-grade teacher at Girls Incorporated, a Health and Wellness Coordinator/ Youth Advocate at Alameda Associated Community Action Program, a tutor, a Culinary Arts Assistant, and an Art teacher at the Shi Yu-Lang Central YMCA. Her diverse background has allowed her to become adept at working with communities of different backgrounds and needs.