Erica Lynette Edwards is an accomplished consultant and public speaker who champions change to advance social justice. With diversity, equity, and inclusion as the core foundation of her work, she transforms visions into reality. After a rewarding 15-year career as a ballerina at The Joffrey Ballet and five years as the Director of Community Engagement, she founded Cultivating Better Tomorrows. Through this consulting company, Erica reshapes the dynamics of performing arts communities to produce environments where all can thrive. Highly skilled in delivering consistent success and effective change, she is passionate about facilitating results-driven conversations and workshops focused on reflection and knowledge-building. Her visionary leadership has earned her many honors and opportunities, including speaking on national panels, giving a TEDx talk, and being selected as a member of Crain’s Chicago Business “40 Under 40.” By developing shared understandings, Erica inspires communities to make the world a more just place.

Topics discussed:

• Cultivating Better Tomorrows Summit
• Butler University
• Salt Creek Ballet
• Ruth Page Nutcracker
• Gerald Arpino’s I/DNA
• Martha Graham’s Appalachian Spring
• Erica interview on some of her favorite roles
• Le Sacre du Printemps (The Rite of Spring): The Chosen One
• Wayne McGregor’s Infra
• William Forsythe’s In the Middle, Somewhat Elevated
• Sir Frederick Ashton’s Cinderella: Fairy Godmother variation
• Forward Momentum, Pierre Lockett
• Joffrey Texas
• MoBBallet
• Tulsa Race Riots
• Watchmen
• Alexandra Elle