Erica Hubbard:
MORE THAN JUST AN ACTRESS BY DEJA HARRELL, SOPHOMORE, KING COLLEGE PREP
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rica Hubbard, a successful actress and a Chicago native, has more to offer than just great acting skills. She is a warm-hearted, active humanitarian who cares about the world and the troubled teens in it. Hubbard, 26, grew up on Chicago’s South Side and often goes back to her “hood,” as well as other neighborhoods across the country to speak to kids and tell them what they really need to hear for motivation. This is just one of the ways she gives back through the Erica Hubbard Foundation (EHF). “The Erica Hubbard Foundation was formed because of the community I was raised in. What I do is go to different communities and speak to kids who are under-privileged. [These are kids] who have never seen anybody on television, nor have they had somebody who will sit down and talk to them about what it takes to be successful. The reason why that’s so important is because you have to motivate your community to want more and to do more; just kind of inspire them. You have to be that voice.” The EHF isn’t the only foundation Hubbard whole- heartedly gives her time to. She also has worked with Red Cross, Boys and Girls Club of America, Girl Scouts of America, A Place Called Home, and wherever else she can donate her time. When Hubbard isn’t helping with charities, chances are she can be found reading a script. For two years, Hubbard played the part of Cassie Sutton in the family television drama “Lincoln Heights.” The show, which ran for four years, stopped airing in the beginning of January of 2010 and is now in syndication. The former model has also appeared in the movies “Save the Last Dance,” “A Cinderella Story,” “Akeelah and the Bee” and “The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants.” Hubbard says one of the things she loves most about acting is getting to be someone else. “I like to be different characters and explore the human spirit whether it’s an introvert or an extrovert, and to portray different variations of different personalities.” In Hubbard’s most recent project, she plays Kita in the upcoming relationship comedy “Let’s Stay Together.” The show, executive produced by Queen Latifah, will air on the BET Network on January 11, 2011. For more information on Erica Hubbard, visit www.ericahubbard.com.
30 TRUE STAR MAGAZINE