The Center for Independent Documentary (CID) | Erika Alexander

Erika Alexander is beloved for her iconic acting roles as Maxine Shaw (LIVING SINGLE, NAACP Image Awards as Outstanding Actress/Comedy Series), Detective Latoya (GET OUT), Cousin Pam (THE COSBY SHOW), Perenna (BLACK LIGHTNING), Linda Diggs (WUTANG: AN AMERICAN SAGA), Barb Ballard (RUN THE WORLD), and Meredith Lockhart (SWIMMING WITH SHARKS).

Erika wears many hats, including actress, trailblazing activist, entrepreneur, creator, producer and director — one of the country’s boldest, most daring, and powerful voices. As a creator, she recognizes that entertaining stories, when socially conscious and carefully constructed, have the capacity to create impact and meaningful change. As co-founder of Color Farm Media, she is on a mission to bring greater equity, inclusion, and diverse representation to both media and electoral politics.

Color Farm Media, self-described as the “Motown of film, TV, and tech,” develops and produces scripted and non-scripted content for film, television, streaming and podcast platforms. Color Farm’s most recent project, about the legendary Congressman and civil rights icon, John Lewis: Good Trouble, won the NAACP Award Best Documentary and was nominated for three Emmy Awards.

Color Farm is also currently producing two podcasts. ON REPARATIONS: THE BIG PAYBACK, they are partnered with The Black Effect Network and iHeartMedia. FINDING TAMIKA, which will premiere in March 2022, is in partnership with Audible and SBH Productions (Kevin Hart / Charlamagne Tha God). Color Farm also has several scripted film and television projects in advanced stages of development. Erika also previously co-wrote the Buffy the Vampire spin-off, GILES, a graphic novel collaboration with Joss Whedon and Dark Horse. And Erika co-created the award-winning, ground-breaking sci-fi series, CONCRETE PARK, which was published by Dark Horse.

Erika has also stepped into the arena of film director. She is currently co-directing a documentary film about the first reparations bill for African Americans entitled THE BIG PAYBACK.

In addition to her entertainment career, Erika is a critical thought leader on racial and gender equity and leadership. She serves as a Board member for One Fair Wage and Exponent, and is highly involved with many other social and racial justice orgs, including The Poor People’s Campaign, Color of Change, NAACP, UNCF, and others. Her work in content reflects the social activism work she does on the ground.

A sought-after speaker, Erika delivers keynotes on topics including leadership, communications & performance, and diversity & inclusion. Born in Winslow, Arizona, Erika grew up in Flagstaff before moving to Philadelphia.