Erika Soto Lamb drives change on cultural and political issues via powerful and persuasive campaigns. Erika was the founding head of social impact strategy at Comedy Central and now leads civic engagement campaigns for ViacomCBS brands focused on youth and entertainment including Comedy Central, MTV, VH1, Logo, CMT, TV Land, Paramount Network, Smithsonian Channel and Pop. In this role she is a co-founder of Power the Polls, the first national campaign to recruit a new generation of poll workers and a steering committee member for the inaugural Vote Early Day.
She was previously the founding chief communications officer at Everytown for Gun Safety, where, in the wake of the Sandy Hook shooting, she helped build the country’s largest gun violence prevention organization that includes Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America and Michael Bloomberg-founded Mayors Against Illegal Guns. Erika was previously a vice president at Ketchum, a global PR firm where she provided reputation management counsel to a major foreign government and other international clients. Earlier in her career, Erika focused on media relations and message development for political candidates and issue campaigns, as well as for public and private sector clients.
Erika’s (pro-bono) side hustle is helping elect women and people of color because she believes representation matters. Erika also sits on the board of the Violence Intervention Program, Inc., a direct service and advocacy organization working to end intimate partner violence and empower women – and in particular Latinas – in New York City.
Erika has a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Stanford University and a Master of Science in Strategic Communications from Columbia University. She is a native of border town El Paso, Texas and resides in New York City with her family, including two young sons.
Find her on Twitter @erikasotolamb[SHARE]
Expert DirectLink
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What Does It Mean to Be Latinx? For Some, It's the ‘One Term That Gives Everyone a Home’
Vogue [October 3, 2020] -
“A New Generation of Poll Workers” Steps Up to Ensure Safe, Fair Elections
Ms. Magazine [October 1, 2020] -
How to Become a Poll Worker
The Cut [September 24, 2020] -
Groups urge Latinos, especially youth, to sign up to be bilingual poll workers
Associated Press [September 21, 2020] -
MTV, VH1, Comedy Central unite to pay fees, fines to help formerly incarcerated Floridians vote
The Hill [September 18, 2020] -
A Tale of Two New Yorks: Those Who Left During the Pandemic, and Those Who Stayed
Vanity Fair [June 17, 2020] -
Erika Soto Lamb | Comedy Sparks Change | Comedy Central
Skoll Foundation [May 27, 2020] -
A Year After His Death, Brody Stevens Is Still Making a Difference
Vulture [February 21, 2020] -
The Cast of Younger Wants You to Stand Up for the Violence Against Women Act
Glamour [June 25, 2019] -
Comedy Central Partners With Define American For ‘Yes, And…Laughter Lab’ Social Change Initiative
Deadline [March 14, 2019] -
WOMEN FUEL DEMOCRATS’ 2020 HOPES — WITH MONEY
The Center for Public Integrity [January 15, 2019] -
The story of how Democratic rising stars Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Ayanna Pressley first met at a Manhattan house party and became 'BFFs'
Business Insider [January 7, 2019] -
Comedy Central’s First-Ever Social Impact VP Isn’t Afraid to Take on Divisive Issues
Morning Consult [October 17, 2018] -
Comedy Central mocks get-out-the-vote videos with 'Should We Vote?' campaign
The Hill [November 1, 2018] -
Should We Still Let Children Play With Toy Guns?
Vogue [June 11, 2018] -
Reframing the Gun Debate
Stanford Social Innovation Review [May 29, 2018] -
Shutting Down BS about Gun Safety
Complex Media / Seriously.TV [March 31, 2017] -
NRA chief executive received nearly $4 million retirement payout in 2015
Washington Post [February 9, 2017] -
In Wake of Shootings, a Familiar Call to Arms Drives Latest Jump in Weapon Sales
New York Times [December 5, 2015] -
On MSNBC, Everytown For Gun Safety's Erika Soto Lamb Applauds Amy Schumer For Saying "'Enough' When It Comes To The Issue Of Gun Violence"
MSNBC [August 5, 2015] -
Hillary Clinton's push on gun control marks a shift in presidential politics
Washington Post [July 9, 2015] -
Confederate flag protests spread
MSNBC [June 23, 2015] -
Vegas deaths renew spotlight on gun control
NBC News [June 9, 2014] -
Victim's father blames NRA for shooting
MSNBC [May 25, 2014]
The momentum leading into this weekend's March for Our Lives could signal a shift in the movement against gun violence.