Currently, Erica serves as the Trustee for the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County. She broke the glass ceiling as the first woman and African American to serve in this role. An experienced manager, and advocate, Erica Gilmore, has worked to make government more accountable, transparent, and accessible. Taking on tough challenges and forging solutions.
Professional Experience
Erica Gilmore has spent her entire career fighting for traditionally marginalized and middle-class communities. She has served as a Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County At-Large Council Member, Speaker Pro Tempore, Minority Caucus President, and District 19 city council member — earning a reputation as a strong, pragmatic legislator who champions bold, and progressive solutions to remedy Nashville’s toughest challenges.
She was first elected to the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County Council in 2007 where she served as the 19th District Councilmember, which had 17,000 to 19,000 constituents and was a mix of the downtown urban core as well as a variety of neighborhoods, and universities. In 2008, she was elected by the council body to the Speaker Pro Tem position, the highest-ranking position in the city.
While serving on the Metropolitan Council she was responsible for the oversight of the 2.5 billion dollar annual budget for the City of Nashville. She served on the board of the Nashville Downtown Partnership.
Erica served as a Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County At-Large Council Member, representing the entire city of Nashville with some 680,000 constituents. She is the former Chair of the Metropolitan Council of Health, Hospitals, and Social Services Committee. Erica also served as a member of the following Metropolitan Council Committees: Budget and Finance, Ad Hoc Affordable Housing, Public Safety-Beer, and Regulated Beverages Committees, and past president of the Metropolitan Council Minority Caucus. Nationally, Erica has served as the Assistant to the President of the National Black Caucus of Local Elected Officials, Vice-Chair of the National Association of Young Black Elected Officials, Vice-Chair of the Universities Council, and National League of Cities.
She previously served as the Assistant Dean of Student Conduct at Tennessee State University. Erica is a frequent speaker and commentator on issues related to women and children, racial justice, public health, civic engagement, and service.
She served on the Central Business District Improvement Board as well as the Gulch Business Improvement Board. Additionally, she served as the past Chair of the Government Awareness Committee for the Hope Gardens Neighborhood Association, past Chair of Women in the NAACP, member of Top Ladies of Distinction.
Erica is a member of a wide array of civic organizations National Black Caucus of Local Elected Officials, National League of Cities, Nashville Emerging Leaders, and Young Leaders Council. In addition, she is the
Founder of the Gilmore Youth Leadership Institute an initiative for young girls ages 12-18 to become more civically and politically engaged. This initiative was housed at Fisk and Vanderbilt University.
Personal Life
Erica is a Certified Public Administrator through the Naifeh Center of Effective Leadership. She is a proud alumna of Tennessee State University, earning a Master of Arts in English, and a graduate of The John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University. She obtained a B.A. degree in English from Howard University, and completed coursework abroad at the American University of Beirut.
Erica is a native Nashvillian who cherishes her community. She is the parent to Anyah Gilmore-Jones who is a graduate of Howard University. She comes from a family with a long commitment to public service. Her mother is Tennessee State Senator Brenda Gilmore, and her father is Mr. Harry Gilmore, a retired Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County Juvenile Court Officer.
Erica’s Recognition
- Women in Business Nashville Lifestyle Magazine (2021)
- Nashville Business Journal’s People to Watch (2018)
- National League of Cities Legislator of the Year (2015)
- 40 Under 40 for Blacks in Nashville (2014)
- Nashville Chamber of Commerce Finalist for Nashville Emerging Leader Award (2013)
- Edward Mullins Legacy Award (2012)
- Forty Under 40 Nashville Business Journal (2012)
- National League of Cities: National Black Caucus Fellow of Local Elected Officials (2011)
- Women in History (2011)
- Women Who Make A Difference (2009)
- NAACP’s Under 45 Leadership Award (2008)
