A dysfunctional childhood can significantly impact an adult's life, including their mental and physical health, relationships, and personality traits. Yet a chosen few can sort through the ashes to rise like a phoenix, and that is how Erica Stowers became a leading luxury realtor in South Florida and a pillar of the philanthropic community.

At 7 or 8 years old, she remembers praying to the Higher Power with a simple request: “Show me a better life, and I will forever give back to children.”

At only four years old, her father was murdered, and she was left to spend her life with a drug-addicted mother. Her mother remarried 13 times, and after many moves and numerous schools, she gave birth to four younger brothers. Erica often acted as a parent and guardian to provide some stability for the family. Before long, Erica’s paternal grandmother began sending her airline tickets to visit her in Ohio during the summers, and Erica could start to taste what a normal life could be like.

She finally got her ticket out when she became a flight attendant and moved from Ohio to Florida. As she grew and her career flourished, so did her compassion for children in need. Erica went into real estate, and as her luxury real estate business grew, she began mentoring young agents by teaching them the importance of hard work and tenacity. “Life is never promised. We must learn to work hard for what we have and learn to pivot when situations present themselves. I had four younger brothers, each of whom had a different father. We grew up fast, and we had to be tough.” When asked how she lives her life now, she responds, “I used to experience hurt feelings often, but no more. My life has been elevated to another level, and I am very comfortable in my skin. I pray every day, and I always stay connected to the Higher Power.”

Erica remained true to her word and for the past two decades devoted herself to Big Brothers Big Sisters by becoming a Big Sister to Mollie (now 32 and living in Nashville); happily, Mollie recently secured her real estate license, and the sisters speak daily. Erica is also on the Board of the Boys and Girls Club of Broward County, and is involved with Pace Center for Girls and the Dan Marino Foundation.

When asked how she would write her next chapter, she quickly replied, “You get what you give. Correct your soul in each life.”

What superpower would Erica wish for? “I’d like to experience time travel to understand myself better and bring some clarity to my life. A normal, loving childhood is such an important foundation for humans, and I missed that exposure.”

In addition to a very successful career, Erica has a beautiful eight-year-old daughter, Lily, and spends every available opportunity on mommy-and-me adventure dates, learning, connection, and love. Erica Stowers exudes love, and Lily will always have tremendous clarity about her own childhood and the deep love between a mother and daughter.

Erica Stowers has become a two-time GLAMMY AWARD honoree assisting local women in the community who have been affected by breast cancer and seeking much-needed mental health services to support with their healing journey. We are profoundly grateful and applaud Erica Stowers as a 2024 GLAMMY AWARD honoree.