Erica Hubbard

Erica Hubbard is an American actress and model born on January 2, 1979. She is best known for her roles as Kiana Anderson in the 2006 film Akeelah and the Bee, Cassandra "Cassie" Sutton on the ABC Family television series Lincoln Heights, and Kita Whitmore on the BET network series Let's Stay Together. She is also recognized for voicing the character Abbey on the animated television series The Replacements.

Hubbard was born and raised on the South Side of Chicago. She attended Columbia College in Chicago, where she majored in Broadcast Journalism and minored in Theater. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from the institution in three years.

Her career began in modeling when she signed with Ford Modeling Agency. Following the agency's recommendation to secure representation for television and film, she transitioned into acting. In 1997, she appeared in magazine advertisements for Noxzema.

After graduating from college, Hubbard landed her first television role as the host of Up 'N Running, a teen educational show broadcast on WPWR, a UPN affiliate in Chicago. The program covered various topics of interest for children, ranging from education and horseback riding to playing hockey and ice cream production. By the broadcast of the show's third season, she had earned a Regional Emmy Award for her hosting duties and received a Service To America Award from the National Association of Broadcasters.

Throughout her acting career, Hubbard has appeared in feature films such as Save the Last Dance, A Cinderella Story, The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, Akeelah and the Bee, and Simon Says. Her television credits include roles on series such as CSI: Miami, Everybody Hates Chris, Lincoln Heights from 2007 to 2009, and Let's Stay Together from 2011 to 2014. Additionally, she provided a voice role for The Walking Dead video game.

Beyond her entertainment work, Hubbard established the Erica Hubbard Foundation, a nonprofit organization created to assist youth in at-risk communities. Inspired by her experiences growing up amidst violence on the South Side of Chicago, she visits high schools, elementary schools, community centers, and churches to speak to children about remaining in school and off the streets. She has also supported philanthropic efforts such as the National Breast Cancer Foundation and the American Heart Association, including an appearance on artist DeAna Fai's podcast, DeAna Fai presents Kings and Queens of Entertainment Reunion Recap and Giveback.

In her personal life, Hubbard was married for thirteen years before divorcing around 2019. She is the mother of three children, including her youngest daughter born in 2012 and her eldest daughter, Olympic hopeful Kyla Robinson Hubbard.