A graduate of Hampton University with a B.A. in sociology (1993) and a post-baccalaureate certificate in the nonprofit sector from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, Eric has 20 years of experience in the human services field in the Baltimore metropolitan area. Originally from Virginia, he has served in positions ranging from direct service provider to corporate technical advisor, Eric has worked for the Y of Central Maryland as a Community Resource School Coordinator for Patterson High School, Head Start, and Job Corps. He is currently working for the Shriver Center at the UMBC as the Director of Operations for The Choice Program. Eric oversees the service delivery of 40 AmeriCorps members funded by the Maryland Department of Juvenile Services, Maryland Department of Social Services, Open Society Institute, and the Sherman Foundation.
Under his leadership Patterson High School was identified by Baltimore City Schools as an "an exemplary community school" warranting a visit by the mayor, Honorable Sheila Dixon in May of 2009. Some of the partnerships brokered during Eric’s tenure include University of Maryland Medical School, University of Maryland Extension Office, University of Baltimore, Maryland Food Bank, Maryland Department of Natural Resources, and The Hadassah of Greater Baltimore. Eric was active in Southeast Baltimore serving as a member of the Bayview Business Collaborative, Community Health Action Project (Hopkins—Bayview), Bayview Community Association, Southeast Police Department Community Relations Council, C-Safe, International Rescue Committee, and Youth as Resources. In this capacity, he advocated for and served as a voice for Patterson's more than 1,500 students and their families.
Eric successfully completed the Board Pipeline Project through Associated Black Charities, which led him to serve as board member of Wide Angle Youth Media for one year. Since joining The Choice Program, Eric has overseen a one-year pilot program funded through the Open Society Institute aimed at reducing disproportionate minority contact. Specifically, Choice was charged with reducing in-school arrests, suspensions, and expulsions. The Augusta Fells Savage Institute for the Arts in Baltimore City was the site chosen for this project. Eric also led in the coordination efforts of two community based youth empowerment rallies in partnership with the Marguerite Casey Foundation’s Equal Voices campaign.