Congresswoman Erica Lee Carter: Honoring Legacy, Embracing Authenticity, and Inspiring Change in Texas' 18th District

What happens when the torch of a powerful legacy is passed from mother to daughter? Congresswoman Erica Lee Carter joins us for an emotionally rich conversation as she steps into the role previously held by her mother, the late Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee. We unravel Erica's personal journey and learn about her decision to embrace this significant role in representing Texas' 18th Congressional District. Erica candidly shares how her background in public service and education serendipitously led her to politics. We hear how she honors her mother's memory by continuing the work of empowering women and advocating for community rights, all while striving to make her own mark in Congress.

Navigating her mother's legacy while forging her path has its own set of challenges and rewards. Erica discusses how she maintains her authenticity amidst the public scrutiny and gender expectations she faces. The lessons she learned from her mother about humanity and dignity resonate as she recounts moments of mentorship and support from her peers in the Congressional Black Caucus. Erica's immediate priorities are both ambitious and urgent, focusing on disaster recovery funding, human trafficking legislation, and addressing the critical issue of Black maternal health in Texas. Her determination to inspire and empower young Black individuals by showcasing the importance of representation is palpable.

Erica's story is not just about political ambition but also about personal growth and community engagement. She offers insights for working moms on balancing career and family life, emphasizing the importance of communicating one's career choices and the resilience of children. 

• Erica discusses the weight and honor of continuing her mother's legacy
• Balancing public service with family life and the challenges it brings
• The importance of authenticity in a politically charged environment
• Engaging communities to promote local involvement and activism
• Reflections on the significance of Black representation in Congress
• Erica's vision for the future of her office, honoring and expanding her mother’s legacy

About Loud & Clear Show with Tashara Parker:
Loud & Clear with Tashara Parker is more than a talk show—it’s a new era of bold storytelling where authenticity, truth, and representation take center stage. Hosted by 5X Emmy-winning journalist Tashara Parker, this groundbreaking show amplifies voices and stories that often go unheard, diving into the real issues that inspire change and drive meaningful conversations.

With her signature warmth and unapologetic approach, Tashara steps into a new role, bringing you raw, unfiltered discussions that challenge norms and elevate perspectives. Whether it's exploring personal triumphs, community advocacy, or pressing societal topics, Loud & Clear creates a space for honest, impactful dialogue.

Tune in each week to join the movement, stay inspired, and celebrate the power of showing up loud and proud.
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Transcript

Congresswoman Erica Lee Cotter Interview

Speaker 2 0:01

All right .

Speaker 1 0:02

Loud and Clear family . Welcome to the show . It is your favorite cousin and your host , tashara Parker . And y'all know how we do it on this show . Our goal it is real , simple , always , and that is to help you own your story , whatever that may be , authentically . And we're doing so with the help of some amazing guests y'all know how we do it who are walking in their power daily . And today we're talking to a woman who has made history yes , history making on this show y'all .

Speaker 1 0:28

As the first daughter to succeed her mother in Congress , marking a historic milestone , I am talking about none other than Congresswoman Erica Lee Cotter . She is the fifth person to serve the 18th Congressional District of Texas . She continues the legacy of her mom , congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee , who served that district for nearly 30 years . Congresswoman Erica Lee Carter serves on the House Judiciary Committee and is an active member of several caucuses Bottom line y'all . She is all about a lot of things that we care about on this show empowering , uplifting and protecting the rights of women and girls , continuing the legacy her mother helped establish . Please help me . Welcome to the loud and clear show , congresswoman Erica Lee Cotter .

Speaker 2 1:12

Welcome , I'm so excited to be here .

Speaker 1 1:16

Thank you , thank you , thank you , thank you . Before we officially get started and dive into all the questions that I have for you , I do want to make sure that I acknowledge and pay respect to your mom , the late Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee , who proudly served Houstonians for the last 30 years , if you know . You know not only for the work that she did , but for the way that she showed up with the facts , class style and so much grace in a position that we know could be very taxing . Now for you . You've taken over that seat and I do want to talk about a phrase that you mentioned and something you stated at the very beginning . You said I want to finish for my mom . What does that mean for you ?

Speaker 2 1:56

It means that initially I was very reluctant . I did have to do a special election , obviously in mourning my family , family , my father and her spouse of 51 years . You know going through a lot and while the 18th congressional district is democratic , you still have to do , you know , campaigning , you know , and also supporting various democrats locally . Um , but she always finished strong for her entire community , for for those issues she was passionate about . And so you know what really propelled me was to finish , you know , for my mom , because if she had been here that's what she would do and it was really the least I could do you know when I really considered the weight of her legacy , you know , is to put myself forward in her memory .

Speaker 2 2:46

I love what you said the weight of her legacy , what has been the most rewarding and challenging part of stepping into a role your mother held for so long . Well , it's clear the most rewarding is meeting and working with her outstanding Democratic colleagues and of course I'm a little biased because I am a Democrat , but they are so smart . Leader Jeffries is amazing , so committed to working people , the diaspora , women , propelling the next generation that's what he's about as well , and just getting to see him in a different dynamic . You know a little bit more behind the scenes . It's been awesome Just working with . You know they were her friends . She was here so many decades . So they , you know , you get to know , they know her . About that I'll say I've heard about you , I've heard about you , you know , they've heard about my children and so just getting to talk to them a little bit more has been very rewarding and seeing their passion for America , I love that Go ahead .

Speaker 2 3:41

Oh , and I was trying to get to challenging . Uh , number one challenge is being away from my kids . You know , I mean it's been a rapid change for them and and just you know , explaining I'm I'm working in their grandmother's memory and for them as well .

Speaker 1 3:55

I love that you mentioned that Cause I was going to ask you , of course , about the challenging part of it , and it's been about a month , um , while we interview , based on when it airs , probably a little over a month and a half , but it's been about a month since you were sworn in . How has life changed for you , like , what is the day to day ? Right , you just mentioned your children . What's the day to day like for you now ?

Speaker 2 4:17

Yes , well , we've gone to . I've had to be in Washington every week other than Thanksgiving week . We've been voting on various key issues and still have critical legislation like to fund the government remaining , and so it's pretty critical .

Speaker 2 4:31

Yes , I'm certainly going to be up here . When I'm here I'm working , usually till eight or nine , maybe out , and then I come home and maybe get on the laptop again . I'm with the new generation , so I do email , sometimes myself . I add some of my own talking points . My staff was looking at me , but I like to get very involved . And then when I'm home , because I am finishing for my mother , she and I now am invited to various community events . I usually spend a lot of my weekend participating , bringing things that I'm requested proclamations , or just witnessing what they're doing , and she liked to be engaged . I'm trying to do that as well .

Speaker 1 5:12

What has life been like for you , also stepping fully into politics ? You know , I know you were a teacher early on in your career , but stepping fully into politics , especially at this level now , what has that been for you , and have you always wanted to eventually get into politics ?

Speaker 2 5:33

So I would say for a long time and not always , but a long time I've been in public service . I worked mainly in nonprofits after I earned my master's and I did work in state government Politics at this level with all the associations and national organizations , the spotlight . It's a little different , but I will say I've always been , for the last 30 years , behind the scenes .

Balancing Legacy and Self in Congress

Speaker 2 5:58

I've heard a lot of calls that my mother would take . You know they wouldn't know . I was in the room or in the car just listening to her side or getting the feedback afterwards . So I've had a good , you know mentor and been able to observe close hand . And they know I'm trustworthy because they never heard it out of me .

Speaker 2 6:18

Never heard it from me on what happened . But it's been an awesome privilege honestly on what happened . But it's been an awesome privilege honestly to be in this role .

Speaker 1 6:31

That's beautiful . How do you balance because I know we've talked a lot about your mom and obviously because of the role that you're stepping into how do you balance honoring your mother's legacy but also kind of carving your own path for the time that you are going to be there ?

Speaker 2 6:43

Yes , and that's been a challenge as well . But I've been excited that Leader Jeffries did put me on judiciary , which was her first committee and the one she served on the longest . But you know I am . There is a newer crop of members of the Congressional Black Caucus closer to my age , been in a little less than five years which I'm in that group , and so they've been kind of taking me under their wing , giving me a lot of feedback and advice , shared their stories , and so I really appreciate them . Pulling me in . Sheila the other Sheila , the second Sheila , as you like to call yourself , in Florida , mccormick Sherpalus really has been a guiding light , and they just told me you have to be you Because , as I've told many , I cannot be as iconic . My mother blazed glass ceilings , so many barriers that she opened the doors that I didn't have to go through , and so I have to pick a slightly different path so that I can speak my truth from my own perspective .

Speaker 1 7:46

What did it feel like for you when you or I don't even know if you have seen , I'm sure you have but when the picture of your mom and the picture of you side by side , when you were being sworn in , what did that feel like for you seeing that image in front of you , seeing that image ?

Speaker 2 8:04

in front of you . I think my first thought is I wish she were here to see it . I think you know my whole . You know not that she asked me to run , but she could tell you know while she was here , that I wasn't really interested in that level of spotlight . You know , obviously her having been doing such an outstanding job her whole career , that always felt like a lot of pressure . You know , for me to even consider Congress , but it almost felt like happy , but a regret that she wasn't here to see it herself , where I could talk to her about it and everyone's saying she'd be so proud and I do feel that but I also feel sad , you know , yeah , yeah .

Speaker 1 8:42

Understandable , understandable , understandable . Do you have any immediate priorities ? I know we talked a little bit before we got on the official call , but any immediate priorities that you're addressing for the 18th district ?

Speaker 2 8:55

Sure , I've been working with . We were working on disaster recovery funding . I know Biden had put out his proposal and we were hoping to get more resources for .

Speaker 1 9:06

Texas .

Speaker 2 9:07

We have one more week to see if we can get it attached to the funding legislation . I was also pleased to be assigned a co-lead on one of my mom's signature bills on stopping human trafficking in school zones act , which was renamed after her Sheila Jackson Lee . After her , sheila Jackson Lee and bipartisan Congressman McCaul from Texas is the co-lead and so he reintroduced that and so I've made inroads with various offices and contacted the Senate side to see to make sure they have a companion bill . I joined caucuses like the Poor Choice Caucus and have gotten on every bill I can to protect our reproductive freedom , to protect IVF , to promote safety for our Black maternal health , which has been really tragic . The numbers in Texas are just disheartening and disturbing . A lot of my friends shout out to the OBGYNs still hanging in there .

Speaker 2 10:00

A lot of my friends that are my age are in that field and they tell me the pressure they face . So that's what I've been engaging with generally .

Speaker 1 10:09

And please make sure your friends know that we wholeheartedly appreciate the work that they're doing , because we know that it is not easy . I had an opportunity to moderate a conversation I don't know if you got a chance to see the piece Zorowski versus Texas and I had a chance to moderate a conversation with some of the women that are part of that documentary and just to hear those stories it's just disheartening what a lot of obviously patients are dealing with , but obviously the OBGYNs who are in just really , really tough positions when you have to turn someone away . Representation matters is a phrase that we hear very often . What does it mean to you to be a Black woman in Congress ?

Speaker 2 10:53

It means to me that people see that they're a part of it , that they're included A lot of times coming from the historical background of being an enslaved . Our ancestors were enslaved persons . We were on the outside and still been on the outside of a lot of fields , a lot of spaces . But the more that we are in Congress or other places , like the C-suite et cetera , that means we are seated at the table . But it is ours and I always want every Black girl and Black boy to think America is yours . When I go to schools , which is one of my favorite things I'm like this is your country and don't let anyone ever tell you otherwise .

Speaker 1 11:33

Come on , come on , especially as they try to take all these books out of schools . But that's a whole other conversation for another day .

Speaker 2 11:40

Yes , yes .

Speaker 1 11:42

I do want to ask you your mom was obviously very committed to service . What's the lesson you mentioned earlier ? You had the greatest mentor right Prior to stepping into this role . What's the greatest lesson that you've learned from your mom that you're carrying with you not only in this position , but just in life ?

Speaker 2 12:04

I think the greatest lesson is that everyone deserves human dignity , and you have to approach them first with humanity and see where there might be common ground .

Speaker 2 12:13

That was one reason she was so successful , because she would approach every colleague . She would always sometimes I'd say , how can you speak to that person ? Like usually of the other party , because you would see them in the media and they're saying things that are interesting . But she said , oh , we have , you know , we did this , or they've traveled here with me and now that I'm here , I'm meeting , you know , people from the other party . Oh , I went to Pakistan with your mother , I went to Azerbaijan with your mother , or they , you know , bonded on you , bonded on soccer or football . She would find something and while she treated her district , the human dignity of every constituent was important to her .

Speaker 1 12:52

I love that she tried to find common ground . Whatever that may be , I absolutely love that .

Gender Expectations and Authenticity

Speaker 1 13:00

How do you handle the expectations of being in a public spotlight and I'm not just saying to follow in your mom's footsteps , but I'm just saying being in the public spotlight as a woman ? How do you handle those expectations for anyone who's at home and they're just like ? I don't know how she did it , especially during such a time where most people will probably be like no , I just need to deal with what I'm dealing with . But how do you handle just being out there in the public and doing interviews and doing all these things that you have to do to be in that role ?

Speaker 2 13:34

Well , I think surviving a very public memorial tribute mourning period that week was one of the hardest of my life . You never won a ticketed funeral , although I was very grateful for our Vice President Harris for coming .

Speaker 2 13:50

It just added even more to the overall tribute , other than the actual emotion Surviving . That made me realize how strong I really am and I've always been adjacent to the spotlight , and that's what I mean by having a mentor . I mean sometimes press conference . I'd be at the very back behind everybody , but my mother would make me stand up , you know , behind doing a radio interview .

Speaker 2 14:12

I'm over to the side just listening and so that part , um , I'm comfortable with and I just try not to think about how many , I just try to think of who I'm talking to in the now and as long as the authenticity , it's easy if you're passionate and you're saying what you really believe .

Speaker 1 14:30

Why is authenticity something that you carry with you in every room ? Because I would say that a lot of these rooms can be a little intimidating and scary to some . You know from you can aim any level , and certainly at the level that you're at . How do you keep authenticity and composure when you're in spaces that aren't always welcoming ?

Speaker 2 14:55

Yeah , I think it helps you sleep at night . It may seem easier to be inauthentic because you're making yourself more like who you're around , but I actually think that's harder to maintain and creates more stress . So when you're authentic , even if it ends up not being liked or appreciated as much , you can sleep at night and you get up the next day and go again because you're staying true , I love that you can sleep at night .

Speaker 1 15:22

I've never heard it put that way . I absolutely love that . One of the things and we kind of alluded to this a little bit earlier you've been vocal about women's health protections . What do you see as the biggest challenges and opportunities in the area ? In that ?

Speaker 2 15:36

area , I should say , I think , the opportunities . I'll try to start with . The positive is that I've never seen women more united , even that may have leaned more conservative , but seeing the dramatic and harsh consequences of the pullback since Roe v Wade , I think of United Women that never planned to have children , you know , et cetera , because abortion is health care and it's not just about children , and so that is the opportunity . And , as long as we keep working locally , pass as many things as we can , because we always want everything to come from Washington , but a lot of things need to start from the ground up . So I encourage women everywhere see whatever you can do right in your neighborhood .

Speaker 2 16:18

It could be a civic club resolution . We just need as many as possible about reproductive freedom . Challenge , of course , is that we now we have a extraordinarily challenging Supreme Court and some of the district courts appellate . I don't want to go into the whole judicial branch , but you file and file and file and you'll get turned away even earlier now because of our federal circuit courts . And then , of course , president elect , who is putting in people who I don't even know if they believe in healthcare period , let alone reproductive freedom . And so federally it is a fight , but let's do what we can on the ground and you're just down the street and help the women there .

Speaker 1 16:59

Can I ask you give us a little bit more on what we can do locally , because I think a lot of people feel defeated . You know , I hear some of the sentiments . They feel like there's nothing more that they can do . Some of the sentiments they feel like there's nothing more that they can do , how can ?

Speaker 2 17:25

folks get involved locally to , whether it's volunteering or showing up at city council , whatever it is how can folks get more involved locally ?

Speaker 2 17:36

Awesome question Number one probably a lot of your listeners vote , but vote in your local elections . I want to say that from school board , which is where they started with the book bands and are attacking sex ed . That's where people learn about all of these things . So get involved , at least by voting or paying attention when you can to local elections , and then you know whatever your issue is . Start at the smallest body possible . It could be your civic club , or it could be the school board and say what's our policy on teaching about reproductive freedom ? Or could then go to city council that we want the public health clinics , because they have health care clinics usually in cities , you know , to make sure they provide contraception , whatever that you can do it at those local bodies .

Speaker 2 18:18

You don't have to start in Washington .

Speaker 1 18:21

As a working mom , I have a lot of moms I'm not a mom yet , but I have a lot of moms that watch this show but as a working mom , how do you , or what advice , I should say , do you have for other working moms ? Obviously , we know everyone's situation is different , but what advice do you have for other working moms who are also trying to juggle and balance demanding careers ?

Speaker 2 18:45

Well , the thing that I've realized is that our children are a little more resilient than we think . Of course , I ended up being a resilient child and now I'm seeing my children they're twins and nine Ellison and Roy Shout out . I don't know overly worried , just concerned , obviously , what the impact would be . But I explained the why and they're supportive

Empowering Future Leaders Through Authenticity

Speaker 2 19:11

. Your children , they're going to vocalize things and you just show the empathy and make the time you have with them count . You know , put the phone down . I mean , we made cookies on Sunday and I just made it count , even though they dropped the egg here and spilled sugar here . My daughter ate too many cookies . But now have that moment and make the time you have when you're able to carve it out count .

Speaker 1 19:36

What's something that one of your twins has said that kind of caught you off guard , like now wait a minute . Now I know you know what's going on , but is there something that one of you said ? They're very vocal , they'll say things , right . Is there something that one of them has said and you were like now wait a minute , right .

Speaker 2 19:52

Is there something that one of them has said ? And you were like no wait a minute . Well , my daughter is certainly my mother's . I thought I birthed my mother . No strong , beautiful black woman coming up here . She was way more tapped into the election presidential and otherwise than even the TikTok . So she was like it's TikTok , she's trying to get the updates on a tick tock is going to be banking and what is happening . She's asking me this every week on the status of tick tock , um and yeah , and so you just never know what they're picking up . And so you have to everyone if you have children , nieces , nephews , talk to them , ask them , because you'll never you'll be surprised of what they have heard about , and you need to give your perspective or philosophy .

Speaker 1 20:38

You know if you're trying to influence on them . That's really , really good . What's one moment that has happened since taking office that has led you to believe or understand that you made the right decision in taking on this position ?

Speaker 2 20:58

There's so many moments , but I think what encapsulates the moments is just I'm getting to hear the stories from members directly on their experience with my mother . And when the congressman from Arizona and I'll get you his name because his last name is escaping me but my mother worked so hard on Brittany Griner , helping her to get out of her improvement situation and she partnered with this congressman and they were constantly working with the State Department and I heard salt from my name and I went to a rally but of course I wasn't there . All the things she did . And when he came and just told me the story one to one , on what he felt she did in that situation , I just that is just priceless . I just can't . There's no other way I could have gotten that story but to be a member of Congress . On the House floor .

Speaker 1 21:55

That's good , that is so good . You spoke about stories , but what do you hope your story inspires when it comes to the next generation of leaders ? In particular , I'm speaking about black women .

Speaker 2 22:08

I hope it inspires us , or black women , to push themselves when things are a little bit scary , because I certainly was scared Even when I decided that I was still like , oh gosh , what have I done ? What have I done for a federal position ? But sometimes scary is good . I mean , you're pushing yourself , you're trying to reach , maybe past what you thought even your potential was , and you know , don't let your , don't , let the world miss out on your light .

Speaker 1 22:42

Oh , that is so good . Don't let the world miss out on your legacy . Did I hear that correctly ?

Speaker 2 22:49

Well , I said light , but I okay . Well , both of them .

Speaker 1 22:52

Yeah , that's really's really , really , really good . I do have to ask you so since you , since you've been in office , has everyone been welcoming ?

Speaker 2 23:06

I yeah , I guess I would say yes because I know maybe after this vote I took today . I just took a semi-controversial vote today but everyone has been welcoming to talk to me and I've been asking about certain bills , sign on letters et cetera . They've been willing to explain things . I think the back and forth you see on speeches or in media is not as present in one-to-one conversations . So I'll talk to someone and then the floor speech they make is like you know what they need to make because that may be their policy or their perspective . But you know , if I go talk to them right now , it's just a pretty normal conversation .

Speaker 1 23:48

Yeah , I testified for the Crown Act multiple times in Texas , down in Austin , and so I would see some of the conversations that were being held behind closed doors , right , those one-to-one conversations . That wasn't necessarily what would happen when we would go into some of those meetings to testify and all those different things . And I do want to ask you about the Crown Act Love your crown , by the way . Do want to ask you about the Crown Act Love your crown , by the way . Is that something that you guys are pushing for , that you are considering while you're in office ?

Speaker 2 24:20

So I 100% support the Crown Act and I had my staff look into it . So it's past the House , so it's the Senate where , unfortunately , some things don't get , some things can't get through . It's a more challenging body . I think we're right now at one Black woman . We'll have two Black women in the next Senate , so I think hopefully that'll increase our odds . So I'm always pushing for the Crown Act . I actually helped it get passed at the local level under Commissioner Rodney Ellis in Harris County .

Speaker 1 24:54

In Harris County .

Speaker 2 24:55

To pass the Crown Act and so I fully support . I haven't done anything specifically with the Senate side on it , but since you mentioned it , I will get a note , a message out .

Speaker 1 25:07

Well , there we go . I love that . So why do you think that that law is important ? Because clearly in Texas it is still being challenged , even though it passed . They're finding loopholes and reasons not to abide by what the rules of it says when it was passed last year , so statewide . So why do you think something like the Crown Act is necessary legislation ? Obviously , you mentioned the local level and the work you did there , state level , but also federally .

Speaker 2 25:38

Yes , it is essential , because we are the only group of people that something that literally grows out of our body we get penalized in the workplace or in education . There is no other group that has that kind of penalty that is allowable , because we don't have laws , and the fact that you have to create a law to protect it shows you how tragic and significant that is . And so you have children that are literally born this way and told in school you can't play this , you can't be on the debate team , you cannot do this , and I think what does that say ? What does that do to their soul , their spirit ? I mean , you are not enough as you are , no matter your qualifications , your intellect , your abilities . As you look is not enough , which is what Black people have been told since we got here , and so it absolutely has to change .

Speaker 1 26:31

While you were in education , did you ever witness or experience any of that with the kids where you had to uplift a child that maybe felt like their hair was too much for ? Said situation was being teased because of their children pick it up from adults .

Speaker 2 26:48

So of course I did . But I think what broke my heart is my own daughter , um , who I keep in , you know , various different braid styles . But one day , now that she hit eight and nine , she asked me about having uh , you know , actually , yes , about having blonde hair , and I said , oh , my word , what has ? I don't even know . And that's what I mean by talking to your children and young family members . You don't know what they're picking up . And so I had to keep talking to her and we have to keep affirming our young Black girls and boys .

Speaker 1 27:19

Wow , how did you handle that with your daughter ?

Speaker 2 27:24

I just told her that children are going to say things . They're always going to say things . You have to know who you are . You're loved , you're valued , and that's what God gave you , and God gave you his best .

Speaker 1 27:38

That's good Outside of your mom . Do you have any other mentors that have , you know , kind of poured into you and helped you get to this point ? If so , who are they and what are some of the things that they've poured into that have gotten you this far ?

Speaker 2 27:53

Well , certainly my father . I spent a lot of time with him while my mother was traveling and he used to drive to school . A lot , a lot of mornings and a lot of gems he's given me . Number one is never make assumptions , which is what I tell my team and every intern I've ever worked with .

Speaker 2 28:12

He has a law background as well , but there were a lot of women around me . My mom developed a great village of women who embraced me , would take me shopping , do different things with me when she was doing what she had to do for the people , and I think they helped me feel valued and appreciated and understand where I could go as a Black teen heading to you know an older person that not just my mom felt I can contribute , but these women felt I could contribute to our community .

Speaker 1 28:45

Oh , that's good . Yeah , that's good . What's something folks wouldn't know about you ? There's a lot we don't know . A lot of people just got introduced to you officially for the first time on a national scale , so what's something that you feel like people wouldn't know from reading your Wikipedia page ?

Speaker 2 29:05

Gosh , that is a good question . I love all the tasty Southern food that we have and I'm blessed that I'm married into a Louisiana family and got my husband makes the gumbo and so I really don't cook .

Speaker 1 29:25

I love that for you .

Speaker 2 29:27

So I bake because I like to bake with my kids and that's not , as I know , the fancy restaurants . You think baking is hard , but actually there are a lot of recipes where it's hard to mess it up . And so I started doing that with my kids when they were like two years old . So that's what we do Muffins , all of those things . But other than that I don't cook too much and I appreciate my husband , Roy , who loves to cook , and he's a blessing .

Speaker 1 29:52

So is gumbo your favorite dish that he makes .

Speaker 2 29:55

He makes favorite . So my husband , he makes all the Louisiana but he makes a lot of Asian flavored . He likes a lot of Asian themed food . He's traveled all over various countries on the continent of Asia and so I would say some of his noodle ramen dishes are my favorite .

Speaker 1 30:15

You know , Wow Interesting . You know there's a place in Houston I don't know if you've heard of it , but I'm going to throw it out there anyway . It's called lotus seafood . I always try to go when I come back and they are .

Speaker 2 30:26

You've heard of it , yeah I've heard of it .

Speaker 1 30:29

Okay , they have like cajun and asian styles kind of merged in together so I might have to check that out . I've never had their ramen there . I never thought about trying it either , so maybe something I need to try . What ? What's something you you want people to know ? You told us something that they wouldn't know about you , but of course , you're following in the footsteps of , I mean , just a legacy that lives on . So what's something that you want people to know about you that we may not know ?

Speaker 2 31:08

about you that we may not know . Well , I think I would want them to know that my mother's iconic career . You know she loved us but she didn't . I guess this is about her , but it's hard for me to talk about me without talking about her at the time . But she had her own energy . I don't have her same energy . I have the same passion , but she had a God-gifted energy to do all of these things . And no matter how far I go , whether it's as elected or just coming back to Houston to serve as a person , I will never have her energy , but I will keep her passion as long as I can .

Speaker 1 31:53

Keep her passion and your passion too . What's next ? You just mentioned you may be coming back to Houston . Can you drop a little hint at what might be next come January ?

Speaker 2 32:07

Well , I'm going to take a short vacation Certainly I'm not taking one this year and work on economic policy , but I'm focused for my mother's legacy , on her archive . We have a lot of universities that have reached out , so my dad , my brother and I will . Finally , I can get focused on finalizing researching and we'll select , you know whatever several places , and one of my goals is an endowed professorship in my mother's name . Wow , you know they can study social justice or Black women leadership , or a plethora of topics that relate to work , what my mother worked on , and so those are things I want to work on . And then the Juneteenth national holiday . We're obviously trying to make it really big in Houston , so we have some plans Stay tuned for next year with Emancipation Park and Galveston and Emancipation Trail , and then , just you know , making it more cohesive nationally and connecting with those in other states on what they're doing .

Speaker 1 33:10

Yeah , that's awesome . Obviously , you know a lot of work here with Dr Opal Lee . I've interviewed her . She and I won an Emmy together on our Juneteenth special . I would love to see nationally where it could get more cohesive , to your point right , because everybody kind of just does their own thing , even though it's a nationally recognized holiday now . So , yeah , great work there , and if you need Dr Opaleed , let me know because I can make that happen too .

Continuing Support for Erica Lee

Speaker 1 33:39

Anything else you think people need to know about the work that you're doing and ways that we can show up and support you from afar .

Speaker 2 33:49

Well , of course you can follow me . I'll be keeping in touch after I leave this role . So at Erica Lee Carter on Instagram .

Speaker 2 33:56

And I'm now on Blue Sky , so I'm encouraging people to join that . I've enjoyed that community . It is the anti-X yeah , very much anti-X the old Twitter , but a little bit slightly more positive . Aoc is on there . Some of your other , you know , progressives , of course , jasmine , my girl Jasmine , so join us over there . But I'm just going to keep working for women and children and the Black diaspora , because Because I need you .

Speaker 1 34:25

Yeah Well , thank you so much , Congresswoman . We certainly appreciate you for joining the Loud and Clear Show .

Speaker 2 34:31

Thank you for having me . It's been wonderful .