Candidate for
Member of Board of Education; Cincinnati City School District

Ericka Copeland-Dansby Candidate for Cincinnati Public School Board

I am a proven big picture-focused performer who embodies professional integrity. I am skilled in using strategic, long-term solutions to create viable community resources to delivery quality youth development initiatives and other social services to diverse, low-income populations. I am a compassionate, solution-driven professional who is not afraid of the change agent role; I understand the critical need for innovative relationship building, public relations, and communications planning, fundraising, and grant procurement.

I currently serve as the Director of Resource Development for the Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Cincinnati. In this role, I am responsible for 1.) Fundraising to sustain youth development programming, 2.) Marketing and advancement of youth development programs and services, and 3.) Community relations and expansion of partnerships to further the mission of the organization.

During the past decade, I served as Executive Director of Mercy Health St. John in Over the Rhine. With a staff of 20 and nearly 350 volunteers, I was responsible for providing vital services to the underserved throughout Greater Cincinnati + with an emphasis on the residents of Greater Cincinnati's most disadvantaged communities. For 75 years, St. John has provided successful youth development programs designed to assist vulnerable children Kindergarten through 12th grade, temporary housing units for homeless families and children, employment readiness/skill training for adults, daily meals, and emergency utility and mortgage/rental assistance to prevent homelessness.

I have worked with the Urban League of Greater Cincinnati as the Director of Community and Health Initiatives and as Manager of Community Infrastructure where I launched one of the most comprehensive parent and youth programs to include educators, students, parents, community leaders, elected officials, and other stakeholders in the history of the Greater Cincinnati area. The Education Summit 2000 reached more than 2,500 youth, parents, administrators and public officials. Additionally, I forged new relationships to launch the agency's inaugural community health programs.

As evidenced by serving more than 25 years in the field of Non-Profit Social Services, I have a true passion for assisting those who are in need and ensuring support services to the poor and underserved. Past involvement with organizations such as Head Start, Cincinnati's Adoption Awareness Alliance, Department of Jobs and Family Services, SUMA, Community Action Agency, Freestore Food Bank, Goodwill, Riverfront Classic Corporation, and others, has fulfilled my desire to be a helping hand to others + especially youth.

I announced my candidacy for Cincinnati Public School Board in June 2013. Throughout my professional career, I have been led by my core values of education, equality, and family and community engagement. These values have shaped how I work with others and provide direction in my decision making.

Equity in education should be a primary commitment of our public school system and we have both a moral and legal obligation to education all children equitably. Engaging parents/families and communities in decision making and school accountability has to be a top priority. Parents and communities that are fully engaged in the processes of education, its success at the local level and its sustained efforts to prepare our children for their futures is imperative to our success.