Erica Byrd

Erica was one of the first teens to participate in the Y.E.S. Program! She was in the program from 1997-2001.  Erica graduated from Gateway High School in 2001.  Since graduating, she has come back to Y.E.S. as a supervisor from 2001-2003.  She has also spent a two summers as a Summer Science Blast Teacher.  Erica was enrolled in Southern Illionios University-Edwardsville in the Fall of 2001 to Summer of 2006.  She was pursuing a double major in Accounting and Business Management, with a minor in Spanish.  Erica recently relocated to New Orleans, where she will be enrolling in Dillard University in the Fall of 2007 to finish her degree. She will soon be starting a new job with the Girls Scouts of Southeast Louisiana as the Membership and Marketing Executive. She will be responsible for extending and retaining membership, facilitating fundraisers, and maintaining program quality and relationships within four counties. Erica plans to obtain her C.P.A. and an M.B.A. in Finance. She hopes to one day open a nonprofit accounting firm to service lower-income communities.  One of Erica's long-term goals is to complete a Ph.D program in finance so that she can teach finance at a Historical Black College or University.