Erica Davis & Family

Election and Current Role

Erica Davis was first elected to the Harris County Department of Education (HCDE) on November 3, 2020, and sworn into office on January 1, 2021. HCDE is a public entity dedicated to helping meet the needs of uniquely challenged learners and school staff in the state's largest county through innovative programming and support services. Davis was elected Chairwoman of Governmental Affairs, Chairwoman of Special Schools, and a member of the policy committee. She plays a key role in establishing policies governing the operation of HCDE, which had an annual budget of $154,234,536 for the fiscal year 2021-2022.

Professional Background

Davis grew up in the Sunnyside and Acres Homes communities of Houston, experiences that shaped her understanding of local issues and community needs. She was appointed as the first Civilian Chief of Staff for Law Enforcement at the Harris County Precinct One Constable's Office under Alan Rosen. In this role, she focused on building bridges between law enforcement and the community for nearly a decade. As a public servant for 14 years, Davis developed educational safety seminars for all communities, provided resource fairs for low-income areas, and created multiple platforms for youth to engage in dialogue on progressive issues. She believes in collaboration to achieve best practice policies. Prior to her work with the Constable's office, Davis taught Spanish at Mt. Carmel High School and served as interim director for the Acres Homes Chamber for Business & Economic Development.

Family and Early Community Involvement

Davis comes from a family of public servants. She was raised by her mother, who served as Director of Black Catholics for the Catholic Diocese under Bishop Fiorenza, and her father, Dr. Red A. Davis (Dr. Charlette Davis, Aldine), who was pastor of Galilee Missionary Baptist Church in Acres Homes and the first Black Chaplain for the Houston Police Department. As a child, Davis was involved in community organizations including the Knights of Peter Claver at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, where she served as Jr. Dr. Vice President and President. She was presented to society as a Debutante from the Drexel Society.

Education and Ongoing Studies

Davis attended St. Mary's Catholic School in the 3rd Ward, Our Mother of Mercy in the 5th Ward, and Duchesne Academy of the Sacred Heart. She graduated from Law Enforcement & Criminal Justice High School, where she received the principal's scholarship. Davis earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Interpersonal Communication with a minor in Spanish from the University of Houston-Central. She went on to obtain a Master's in Public Affairs from the University of Texas Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs and a Master of Science from Columbia University in New York. Currently, Davis is pursuing a doctoral degree at the University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education, studying how political candidates and elected officials learn their roles.

Civic Engagement and Political Support

Davis has served on the boards of Planned Parenthood and the Harris County Criminal Justice Coordinating Council, further demonstrating her commitment to community service and policy reform. In her first election, Davis was endorsed by the LGBTQ Caucus, Tejano Democrats, Houston Black Area Democrats, Stonewall Democrats, Area 5 Democrats, and more.

Policy Focus and Community Initiatives

Erica Davis is a champion for civil rights for all, women's rights, and criminal justice reform, believing in effecting change from within the system. She is dedicated to ending the school-to-prison pipeline, bringing resources to underserved communities, and advancing women's rights. Her diverse background in education, law enforcement, and public policy uniquely positions her to address complex social issues and promote equitable solutions for all Harris County residents.

Davis has been at the forefront of community resource initiatives. She believes in being resourceful in her role. She has opened warming centers for the homeless, resource centers during hurricanes, and organized mask drives and giveaways in zip codes with high COVID-19 rates. She is a proud Veteran’s wife to David Stribling, devoted mom to Elijah, & native Houstonian.