Erica Hubbard

Erica Hubbard (born January 2, 1979) is an American actress and model. Hubbard grew up in Chicago. Hubbard is best known for her roles as Kiana Anderson in the 2006 film Akeelah and the Bee, Cassandra "Cassie" Sutton on the ABC Family series Lincoln Heights (2007–09) and Kita Whitmore on Let's Stay Together (2011–14) on the BET network. She is also the voice of Abbey for the TV series The Replacements. She created "The Erica Hubbard Foundation" to help youth in at-risk communities.

Career Hubbard appeared in magazine ads for Noxzema in 1997.

Hubbard started out modeling with Ford. Ford's modeling agency told Hubbard that she needed an agency to assist with television and film.

After graduating college, she landed her first television show entitled Up 'N Running: a teen show that focused on educating kids on a variety of different topics of interest, from education to horseback riding, to playing hockey or learning how to make ice cream. The show aired on WPWR, a UPN affiliate in Chicago. By the time the third season had started airing, she had already won a Regional Emmy award for hosting the show and earned a Service To America Award from the National Association of Broadcasters.

Hubbard has appeared in the films Simon Says, Akeelah and the Bee, The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, Save the Last Dance, A Cinderella Story, as well as numerous television series including Lincoln Heights, CSI: Miami, and Everybody Hates Chris. She also had a voice role in the video game "The Walking Dead"..

Personal life 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 and earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in three years.

Hubbard founded her own nonprofit called the 'Erica Hubbard Foundation'. Hubbard was inspired to create it because of her personal experience growing up on the South Side of Chicago, where she was exposed to a lot of violence. The Erica Hubbard Foundation sees Hubbard visiting community centers, high schools, elementary schools, and churches and talking to children. "I encourage them to stay in school and stay off of the streets" says Hubbard. Hubbard continued her pursuit in giving back by making an appearance on pop soul RnB artist DeAna Fai's podcast DeAna Fai presents Kings and Queens of Entertainment Reunion Recap and Giveback; along with other celebrities supporting the National Breast Cancer Foundation (United States) and the American Heart Association.

Hubbard was married for thirteen years, she divorced around 2019. Hubbard has three children. Her eldest daughter is Olympic hopeful Kyla Robinson Hubbard. Her youngest daughter was born in 2012.

Filmography

Film

Television Year Title RoleNotes 1997 ER Girl on El Episode: "One More for the Road" 1999 Early Edition Groupie Girl Episode: "Number One with a Bullet" 1999–2001 Up'N Running Herself/host 2000 Undressed Jenny Episode: "Code of Sex" 2002 Popstars Herself Episode: "Showtime" Undeclared Gloria Episode: "The Day After" The Zeta Project Lead Bully Voice, episode: "Lost and Found" Boston Public Cindy 2 episodes Do Over Student Body President Episode: "Joel Strikes Back" MADtv Double Dutch Rope Jumper #1 2 episodes 2003 Judging Amy Teresa the Hooker Episode: "Picture of Perfect" 2004 Joan of Arcadia Karen Casper Episode: "Double Dutch" 2005 CSI: Miami Tina Saunders Episode: "Prey" Everybody Hates Chris Yvette Episode: "Everybody Hates the Babysitter" 2006–07 Abbey Willson Voice, recurring role 2007–09 Lincoln Heights Cassandra 'Cassie' Sutton Main Cast 2010 Cold Case Wanda Johnson Episode: "Shattered" 2011–14 Let's Stay Together Kita Whitmore Main Cast 2013 Awkward Black Girl Lucinda 2 episodes 2017 Chicago Med Dina Morris Episode: "Cold Front" 2025 The Family Business: New Orleans Ernestine Series regular

Podcast Year Title RoleNotes 2021 DeAna Fai presents Kings and Queens of Entertainment Reunion Recap & Giveback! Self Episode: 13