Erika Hawthorne
(she/her)
Executive Director
Erika Hawthorne is an equity-centered arts leader with over 12 years of experience advancing strategy, grantmaking, and community-centered initiatives across the arts, philanthropy, and public sectors. She has stewarded more than $2.5M in grant portfolios, designed collaborative learning spaces, and built national networks that strengthen organizations while deepening belonging across the arts ecosystem for administrators and cultural workers of the global majority.
Raised in community arts education programs and supported by strong in-school arts opportunities, Erika began her career as a teaching artist and remains deeply grounded in the lived experiences of people working across the creative sector. Her professional background includes roles with the Bainum Family Foundation, the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities, and Leading Changemakers. She also led engagement and network strategy for the Arts Education Partnership, supporting a cross-sector network of arts, education, and policy organizations, and later served as Director of Membership and Communications for Emerging Practitioners in Philanthropy, where she guided engagement strategy for a growing community of philanthropic leaders.
Erika has been part of the Arts Administrators of Color Network (AAC) since its founding years, first as a participant in the inaugural mentorship program (2017), then as a volunteer, board member, staff member, and now Executive Director. Her leadership focuses on strengthening the relationships, systems, and partnerships that sustain arts administrators of the global majority.
“Since my first engagement with AAC, being in community with leaders who share values around racial equity and human-centered leadership affirmed the kind of sector I want to help cultivate. In our spaces, we create room to exhale, exchange real strategy, and celebrate each other’s brilliance. That culture of care and collective growth is what makes AAC powerful and what continues to guide my leadership.”
As Executive Director, Erika leads AAC’s strategy, partnerships, and organizational growth. She works closely with the board, partners, and peer organizations to strengthen governance, expand sustainable funding, and deepen engagement across AAC’s growing network. As the organization celebrates its 10-year anniversary, she is focused on positioning AAC for its next chapter while continuing to center care, cultural equity, and collective power.
Connect with Erika to explore strategic partnerships, speaking engagements, or collaborative efforts that advance cultural equity nationwide.