Erika J. Kendrick is an acclaimed writer, a national speaker, and a mental fitness expert. She earned a psychology degree from Stanford University and an MBA in marketing and international business from the University of Illinois at Chicago. Erika was an NBA cheerleader for the Chicago Bulls before writing her novels, Confessions of a Rookie Cheerleader (Random House) and Appetite (Random House). Her debut middle grade novel, Squad Goals, with Little, Brown Publishing is set for release April 6, 2021. Erika recently signed a major deal for the next book in the series, Cookie Monsters, set for a 2022 release.

ERIKA IS A SUICIDE SURVIVOR.

While at Stanford, Erika walked suicide’s tightrope and was diagnosed with acute Clinical Depression and Bipolar Disorder a few years later. While talking to audiences of all ages, Erika shares her story of brain pain and inspires hope by creating safe spaces for life-saving conversations.