Erica Lunsford

Reporter

Erica Lunsford started her career as an intern at Time Warner Cable in Raleigh, NC. and worked her way up to CBS News in New York, telling the stories of the people in the Bronx. Some of those people are schoolchildren who would have otherwise gone hungry during the summer, if not for a group of food truck vendors serving them free meals. Others are Cambodian Refugees who migrated to the Bronx following the Khmer Rouge communist Regime during the Vietnam War some 50 plus years ago. Erica also shares the story of a Holocaust survivor who received her “Golden Wish.” She also talked to Kevin Richardson, one of the “Exonerated Five” who gave a lesson to schoolchildren on knowing their rights when talking to police.

Erica believes her calling is telling “Compassion Stories.”

She came to WCBS from WBTV CBS 3 in Charlotte, North Carolina. Erica says her career as a journalist makes her feel like a “student of the world.” Erica’s curiosity and intrigue in broadcast journalism was formed on a whim when she was in preschool, making her TV debut on ABC 11 WTVD in Durham, NC. When another student froze while introducing someone on air, Erica immediately raised her hand and recited the girl’s lines from memory. When she went back and watched her mom’s recording of her on VHS tape, she knew then she wanted to make this a career. Erica says “From that moment I would stand in front of our Bulky 90s style big screen TV in the living room and mimic the meteorologist giving the forecast. I constantly told my mother "I can do that mommy."

Erica graduated from William Peace University with a B.A. in Communication and Media Studies. After her internship, she was hired as a production assistant for WTVD News while simultaneously working in print as a sports clerk for the News and Observer. Erica landed her first on air job as an MMJ at WCIV/ABC News 4 in Charleston, South Carolina. 2 years later, she was hired as an MMJ at WVLT in Knoxville, TN.

Erica gave a voice to a 7-year-old boy who ran back into his burning home to save his little sister. Her story garnered overwhelming support from the community, enabling the family to quickly find a place to stay. Another person needed and received a transplant after Erica’s compassionate plea to the public to help. She also spends countless hours talking to people about how to combat crime, gaining the attention of community leaders to work on changing the culture of the neighborhoods.

Erica is also a member of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tennessee. In fact, after moving to North Carolina, she has remained a strong mentor to her long-time little sister.

 Erica’s day rarely ends when she leaves the station. On her drive home, she always contemplates whether she gave a voice to those who matter. Maybe that’s why she has been named Employee of the month more than once.

Erica Says “I am constantly learning and gaining different perspectives of people in the community. I feel honored when people trust me to share their voice. That is the most important part of each day for me, making sure I tell their story correctly and help make a positive change within the community. “