Trivia

After her honorable discharge, she returned to school at Full Sail University and earned her Masters in Entertainment and Business. Shortly after graduation, she was hired by the university as a professor for their New Media Journalism master's degree program. She taught there until she decided to move to New York City in 2014.

Erika Barker served in the U.S. Navy as a Combat Photographer from 2004-2009. Her official job title was Mass Communications Specialist, and she excelled at video journalism. She found her voice for narrating by doing Daily News Updates (DNUs) for the Armed Forces Network (AFN).

Outside of Erika's military experience, she trained in both Judo and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu at Renzo Gracie's flagship academy in New York City. Some of her peers she attended class and rolled with included Gordan Ryan and Anthony Bourdain. She earned her Blue Belt under UFC Fighter Rafael Sapo Natal.

Erika has advocated for transgender rights for military service members. She was featured in the Wall Street Journal and on a popular European Broadcast, Quotidien, with Hugo Clement, where she shared her story about transitioning and her struggles while serving in the Navy.