Purpose in Power: Erica Reid on Mentorship, Community, and Leading with Love
About the Episode
In this episode of Queen Me, Ashley Lynn Priore is joined by Erica Reid, Senior Director of Chapter Success at Friends of the Children - a national nonprofit pioneering long-term mentorship. Erica shares her inspiring journey through education and community work, reflecting on how a deeply rooted mission of serving youth, supporting families, and strengthening communities has guided her career and life. From her early days in the classroom to her work shaping systems that empower families, Erica emphasizes that true change begins with relationships, trust, and community. She also reflects on her roles as an adjunct instructor and her work with PBS Kids North Carolina, where she expands access to free educational resources for children, families, and teachers.
This conversation is a reminder that mentorship is not just guidance - it’s a commitment to walking alongside someone for the long haul, nurturing resilience, and creating cycles of empowerment that ripple across generations.
Key Takeways
A Mission Rooted in Family Values: Erica’s personal mission of serving youth, supporting families, and strengthening communities began early, shaped by the example of love, faith, and selflessness she saw at home. What started as passion has become a calling - her compass for every professional and personal choice.
Early Lessons in Education: Erica’s work in preschool classrooms and as a parent educator showed her the transformative power of early learning and caregiver involvement. Modeling parent-child interactions reinforced her belief that meaningful change begins with small, intentional moments of connection at home.
Families Need Support, Not Saving: Erica stresses that families are not broken - they are powerful and resilient. Communities thrive when systems believe in families, amplify their strengths, and provide resources that empower rather than diminish.
The Power of Long-Term Mentorship: Friends of the Children’s unique model offers over 12 years of paid, professional mentorship. This consistent, trusted presence often becomes an extension of family, offering stability to youth who have faced uncertainty and guiding them through critical life stages.
Educating Beyond the Classroom: As an adjunct instructor, Erica invests in future educators, while her work with PBS Kids North Carolina extends her reach to families nationwide. She sees education as multi-faceted - spanning classrooms, mentorship, media, and community resources.
The Reciprocity of Community: For Erica, giving back isn’t optional - it’s essential. Communities are living systems of give and take; when you contribute, you strengthen the bonds that ultimately hold and uplift everyone.
Grounded in Faith and Self-Care: To remain centered, Erica leans on prayer, her guiding mission, and the discipline of self-care. These practices keep her aligned, authentic, and able to fully show up for the people she serves.
Empowering Youth to Believe: Erica hopes every young person knows they are not defined by their beginnings. She urges them to believe in their present power, use their voices, and trust that their futures hold promise, not uncertainty.
Unleashing Her Inner Queen: For Erica, unleashing her inner queen means walking in purpose with power, self-trust, and authenticity. Even without the loudest voice, she believes in speaking boldly, advocating fearlessly, and embodying the truth that power and purpose belong to everyone.
To learn more about Friends of the Children, please visit here.
