Meet Erica

Entrepreneur, Mom, Mentor, Community Programming Whiz 

Erica Marks, a public librarian, owner of Book Marks Live Consulting and Phraseology, is dedicated to community uplift. Within her eighteen years of public library service, Erica has created unique and unconventional programming for youth. Through collaborative partnerships, programs such as Books-n-Beats, Girl Power! and Man Up, CLE (Cleveland) became successful empowerment events, promoting literacy, leadership, and self-respect.

Being exposed to Toastmasters, an organization that teaches public speaking skills in high school provided Erica with the necessary tools to speak publicly and demonstrate leadership early in her career. 

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Erica is a member of the American Library Association. She served on the 2020 Randolph Caldecott Committee, and previously served on the 2017-2018 Coretta Scott King Book Awards Jury.  Erica graduated from Kent State University with a Masters of Information and Library Science and Ashford University, receiving a Masters of Public Administration and Bachelors in Social and Criminal Justice.

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Aside from her professional accolades, Erica is a mother of three young children, Zeke, Zoe & Zélie. She is a long-time cheer coach in her hometown community of East Cleveland, OH, and is an aspiring writer.