I AM BLACK HISTORY | Erica Lee Carter

Erica Lee Carter

Erica Lee Carter is Black History because she represents continuity, courage, and a new chapter of public service rooted in legacy and leadership.

In November 2024, following the passing of her mother, Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, Erica stepped into history. She was elected to complete her mother’s term in the 118th Congress, becoming the first Black daughter in United States history to directly succeed her mother in the U.S. House of Representatives. From November 5, 2024 to January 3, 2025, she served Texas’ 18th Congressional District during a period marked by both mourning and transition.

Her brief congressional tenure was not symbolic. It was steady, intentional, and grounded in public responsibility. After completing the term, she chose not to seek reelection, instead returning her focus to local governance and long term institutional impact.

In February 2026, Erica Lee Carter was appointed Harris County Administrator, becoming the first African American to hold the position. In this executive role, she leads the Office of County Administration, overseeing day to day operations and long term strategic planning for the county’s largest departments. Harris County is the third largest county in the United States, and the position plays a critical role in coordinating policy, managing budgets, and strengthening governance across more than 70 boards and commissions.

Her appointment marked a milestone in professional management and executive leadership within one of the nation’s most complex local governments.

Erica’s preparation for this moment began long before Congress. She previously served as a trustee for the Harris County Department of Education from 2013 to 2019. She worked as a policy advisor in Harris County Precinct 1 under Commissioner Rodney Ellis, developing proposals centered on economic equity and voting rights. She also served as Executive Director of the Harris County Justice Administration Department, gaining hands on experience in justice system operations and cross departmental coordination.

A graduate of Duke University’s Terry Sanford School of Public Policy, Erica brings both academic training and lived understanding of public service to her work. Her focus, as she has stated, is on elevating governance, collaboration, and communication across departments so that government functions more effectively for the people it serves.

Erica Lee Carter is not defined solely by the legacy she carries. She is defined by the systems she helps strengthen.

Black History is not only about those who open doors.It is also about those who walk through them and build new rooms. Erica Lee Carter is building them.