WASHINGTON — The Education Trust is pleased to announce Erika McConduit, Esq., as the director of our work in Louisiana. In this newly developed position as Louisiana Director, Erika will support a diverse coalition of Louisiana advocacy organizations and stakeholders working to increase educational opportunity and achievement among historically underserved students.

“We are thrilled that Erika will join us in working alongside advocates, educators, parents, and community members in Louisiana to continue to push for educational equity for students from low-income families and for students who are Black or Latino,” said Daria Hall, vice president of Partnerships and Engagement. “Erika brings a wealth of experience, passion, and a deep understanding of the challenges Louisiana students face. All of this will allow her to be extremely effective in this new role.”

Before joining Ed Trust, Erika served as the President and CEO of the Urban League of Louisiana. In this role, she oversaw the growth, operations, strategic planning, partnership development, and policy initiatives of the agency, whose mission is to “Empower Communities and Change Lives.” During her time at the Urban League of Louisiana, Erika was appointed to the Board of Supervisors for the Louisiana Community and Technical College System, and served on numerous committees, including Mayor Landrieu’s Education Task Force, Louisiana State Superintendent of Education John White’s Student Task Force as co-chair, and the National Urban League’s Education Task Force.

Erika also served as the Chief Operating Officer of the YWCA of White Plains and Central Westchester, New York. Additionally, her current and past service on governing boards includes the New Orleans Regional Leadership Institute, The New Orleans Advocate, New Schools New Orleans, NOCCA Institute, KID smART, the New Orleans Kids Partnership, African American Women of Purpose and Power, Orleans Public Education Network, the New Orleans Crime Coalition, the Opportunity Youth Coalition, United Way’s Women’s Leadership Council, EMPLOY Collaborative, and she is a member of the Crescent City Chapter of Links, Inc.

“The Education Trust has always been a leader in advocating for policies that improve the education opportunities afforded to Black and Brown children –who have, for far too long, gone without the resources needed to reach their full academic potential. It’s exciting to have the chance to focus on that,” said Erika. “I am incredibly passionate about education, so getting to work with such a well respected and effective organization like Ed Trust — and to bring that to Louisiana — is truly an opportunity of a lifetime.”

Erika is a New Orleans native, a Louisiana licensed attorney, and a mother of three children. She graduated summa cum laude from Howard University, and cum laude from Loyola University School of Law.