Erica Thompson
@Miss_EThompson
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Features writer for @suntimes. Former features editor for @DispatchAlerts. Award-winning reporter on race and gender. #Prince biographer. Freelance writer.
Chicago, IL
Joined September 2010
Some cool, unexpected news: I won first place in Multicultural Writing and first place in Public Service/Investigative reporting at the Ohio Excellence in Journalism Awards! Many thanks to @PressClubCle! (1/3)
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When I found out JoJo Siwa was performing at Chicago Pride Fest, I knew I had to get video of her doing the signature “Karma” dance.
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Big Brother needs a reorganization, from the producers to the host. The only thing that should remain intact is the commitment to diversity casting. #BB24.
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I wrote about the 50-year history of the @MBApageant for @mic. A new winner will be crowned in Kansas City on Saturday.
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“This is the spot for inclusion for everybody — all the previously neglected craft beer consumers who haven't been supported, hired, tailored to or marketed towards.". Here's my profile on @crafttheculture. #BeertheChange.
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Some professional news: Friday is my last day at The Columbus Dispatch. I am so grateful for the seven years I've spent reporting in the city, beginning with my stint at Columbus Alive. (1/4)
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This is going to be a good entertainment week for me:.- D’Angelo on #verzuz.- Anderson .Paak, Bruno Mars and Bootsy dropping music.- “Coming 2 America” comes out .- Season 4 premiere of “Good Girls”.
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If you could name a flavor, what would it be?.
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Some professional news to start the new year: In November, I was promoted to features editor at @DispatchAlerts. I am overseeing our arts, entertainment and home/garden coverage. (1/2).
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"That day changed our lives forever.”. Months after Keith Lee visited Soul Prime, the once-struggling restaurant is still seeing a steady stream of business from Chicagoans and out-of-towners. Here's my story for the @Suntimes. 📷 Anthony Jackson.
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So I decided to learn #Prince’s song, “Eye Hate U,” on flute. Click here for the full video:
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Terrence actually did something in a challenge. only to throw it away. These players continue to go hard into all the wrong decisions. #BB24.
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@offbeatorbit Women who struggle with fibroids, PCOS and incredibly heavy periods don’t have a choice, unfortunately.
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.@iamjojo has been consistent with her EPs and albums for over a decade. Definitely one of my top artists. And “Dissolve” is so dope. I’ve been playing it over and over today.
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“We are very disappointed in our state that is trying to be this magnet for talent and workforces and new businesses.". I spoke with Ohio organizations, officials and businesses about the potential impact of House Bill 616 on the economy. (1/3).
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Finally framed this beauty! Such an iconic cover of @VibeMagazine. This important moment in @Prince’s career is very inspirational. Thank you, #Prince. Shout out to @darlingnisi for grabbing this for me. 😭
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My mom dressed her wine bottles up by using holiday costumes for dogs. She is truly undefeated during the holiday season.
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I am honored to be in the company of some excellent thinkers creating Twitter threads on #Prince’s "Come" album. Today, we’ll explore the title track. #PrinceTwitterThread
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I've been sitting with an advance copy of #Prince's memoir, #TheBeautifulOnes, for some time now. Put simply, it is an affirmation of his Blackness and humanity. Here's my review for @HuffPost & @blackvoices.
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I couldn’t be prouder of my brother, Bryan, who received his bachelor’s degree this week. Over the past 20 years, he has built a successful life and career without it, but he was determined to accomplish this personal goal he set for himself. He never gave up. 1/2
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I have some other news to share: I got a promotion! . My new role is Ohio regional business reporter for @DispatchAlerts & the @USATODAY network. I'm covering issues of race and inclusion in business and the economy. I'll be working with the new Business Editor, @katywatersmith!
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Current and former staff members of Equitas Health say the organization is plagued by a revolving-door culture in which employees of color don’t last long due to racial discrimination. I spoke with 15 former employees about their experiences.
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Yesterday, I won first place in the Best Digital Project category at the Associated Press Media Editors Awards for my story on the legacy of Black-owned businesses in Driving Park.
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"When we were putting together the Lovesexy tour, I was playing Alphabet St. in rehearsal, and Prince said, 'You’ve got about 70 percent of it. Go to the studio, pull up the multitrack, and really listen to it.' When I soloed the bass and drums, I was like, 'Oh my god!'" -Levi
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This was one of the best concerts I've ever attended! Here's my review of Carrie Underwood's show at Nationwide Arena last night. Photos by @FiveFootPhotog.
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This story is disrespectful to both Andre Hill and the woman who lived at the house. The details about her life should not be exposed in this manner. It’s one thing to report a story about a woman who needs help, but this is exploitive.
ABC 6 On Your Side Investigates digs into the history of the house where Andre Hill was killed nearly one year ago.
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There's too much evidence to deny that #Prince supported Black Lives Matter, so racist fans have moved on to explaining "what he really meant." 🙃. I know I'm wasting my breath by talking to these folks, but sometimes the spirit moves me to reply.
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Looking forward to chatting with @johncusack live at the Palace Theatre Friday, following a screening of “High Fidelity.”
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I am honored to be one of nine contributors creating Twitter threads on #Prince’s “Purple Rain” album. Today, we’ll explore “I Would Die 4 U,” the fourth single, which became another top-ten hit. #PurpleRain9on9
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Britney Spears wrote her memoir with incredible depth and insight. She adeptly lays out the compounding trauma of her conservatorship and years of cruelty and manipulation at the hands of men and media. Here's my review for @HuffPost. #TheWomanInMe.
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"I'm not meant to be understood. I'm meant to be experienced.”. I had a wonderful chat with the great @durandbernarr, who will perform at @SkullysColumbus Monday night.
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Watching "The Ultimate Live Experience" tour and I just love this outfit so much. The back is amazing, too. #Prince
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I wonder if I'm the only #Prince fan who wants "20Ten" on vinyl. I want to sip some wine and listen to the vocal arrangements. Prince, Shelby, Liv and Elisa did their thing.
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No amount of photos will capture the @PrinceTheExp in Chicago. You have to see it for yourself. They did an impressive job capturing some of what made Prince so special. If nothing else, it really underscores the breadth of his talent, drive and hard work while he was with us.
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Ten years ago today, I saw @prince live at Madison Square Garden! Here is a thread of me freaking out on social media lol.
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Later this month, I will be starting a new role as a features writer for the Chicago Sun-Times. More details to come. 💜 (4/4).
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Most journalists I know are going through a lot right now. They are dealing with layoffs and furloughs, writing about their neighborhoods even while on strike, or building their own nonprofit platforms—all in service to the community. If you know a reporter, show them some love.
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"Lights Out." @DawnRichard's pen game is 💯.
Today is the 15th anniversary of Danity Kane's "Welcome to the Dollhouse" album. What's 1️⃣ of your favorite tracks?
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Some news: This is one of the most ambitious projects I've ever tackled. I researched the history of Black-owned businesses in Driving Park from the 1960s to present-day: (Thread)
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"Oh, by the way, I play bass guitar!". I wrote about #Prince's '95-96 tour, "The Ultimate Live Experience":
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I recently received second place for Best Reporter in the state at the 2022 Ohio Society of Professional Journalists Awards. It’s always an honor to be recognized. Many thanks to the judges!
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My #Prince blog is officially 10 years old! I spent some time reflecting on my experiences during the past decade:
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It’s an honor to have won third place in the Best Business Writer category at the #OhioAPME22 Awards. And congrats to my @DispatchAlerts colleagues who were recognized today for some truly outstanding work.
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I was invited on @RollingStone's Music Now podcast to talk about @prince's "Batman" album. So much fun! My segment starts at the 23-minute mark. Many thanks to @hiattb for the opportunity! #Prince .
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The thing I appreciate about @TheMorrisDay's book is the discussion of #Prince's vast knowledge of music prior to becoming a superstar. Here he is talking about their Miles Davis discussions.
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Here's my story on the Black Men Flower Project, a nonprofit that centers the mental health and well-being of Black men. The org is having flowers delivered to Black fathers in Columbus each day in June. 📷 @FiveFootPhotog . #FathersDay .
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An illustration of the endless "build-up, tear-down, build-up" cycle: Rolling Stone's coverage of Britney Spears just months apart in 2008. I remember feeling uncomfortable with this in real time. #FreeBritney
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Attending a #Prince conference and I just got a knock at the door. Another birthday gift has arrived! 😭
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"People that are Prince fans, once they come into contact with other Prince fans, it’s an automatic love.". Here's my blog on the #Prince Batdance Symposium: #Batdance30ATL
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I interviewed social workers, educators and others about their experiences de-escalating fights between young people, as well as their thoughts on the adultification of Black girls. #MaKhiaBryant.
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Great #RecordStoreDay with my dad! He also gave me his 45s, 8-track player and tapes! Scoooooore!
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Thanks to a layover in Minneapolis, good friends and purple fam, I was able to attend the Welcome 2 America party at @PaisleyPark and hang out in the city for a couple days. And I did an important interview for my book. 💜
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What @polishedsolid has accomplished this weekend is extraordinary. She works incredibly hard, and does it all for #Prince, who has given us all so much. Thank you for providing a safe, fun space; elevating purple scholarship; and highlighting Black voices. #DM40GB30
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Excited that journalists are starting to get advance copies of #Prince's "Sign O' the Times (Super Deluxe Edition)." Does anyone know if any Black writers are reviewing? It's critical that we have that perspective. Not asking for a job per se, just want to make sure it's covered.
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Many thanks to the Ohio Society of Professional Journalists for awarding me first place for best minority issues reporting at the 2023 awards. 💜📝
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In honor of #BlackHistoryMonth, I have created a "Prince is colorblind" bingo card. If you see one of these comments on posts, cover your space and rest assured that the person doesn't understand #Prince in the context of American history. Enjoy!
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After hearing "Thug Lovin'" tonight, I had to go watch Bobby and Whitney's cameo in Murder Inc.'s "Down 4 U" video. She was hilarious, bless her! . Also, why do I remember all the words to this? Ja Rule and company were everywhere back then.
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While managing Stax Records, Al Bell endured a lot of systemic racism. Those experiences prepared him for working with #Prince in the '90s. Here is the story behind the release of "The Most Beautiful Girl in the World," told from Bell's perspective:
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Find a record store that loves you! . Thanks, Spoonful Records! . @ooleef, this is your work, right?
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Front page today. It's still so incredibly important for Black folks to see themselves in our paper.
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“You have to understand, we were all frontmen.” - @andrecymone on that beautiful, power trio. 🙌🏾 #Prince #DM40GB30
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I am thrilled to be a contributing author of "Theology and Prince!" The academic collection will be released via Lexington Books in December. My chapter is on "Graffiti Bridge.". Pre-order here (use code LEX30AUTH20 for a 30-percent discount): #Prince
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We've just learned that a Columbus police officer shot and killed someone today on the East Side. There aren't many details yet, but this just sums up our reality. There is no rest. @DispatchAlerts reporters are working to update this article.
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On #ValentinesDay in 1996, #Prince and Mayte got married in Minneapolis. Re-sharing my article for @UltimatePrince_.
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It’s funny when people respond to my stuff with, “But he didn’t celebrate. ” That was the main takeaway? We can celebrate him today, just like we do everyday. 🤷🏽♀️.
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This is really enjoyable. Younger people are able to come to #Prince's more experimental work with an open mind because they didn't grow up w/ the '80s classics. And he has the same reaction I do to the guitar solos. Prince is absolutely shredding on this.
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There is nationwide concern about the impact of dollar stores on low-income, food-insecure neighborhoods. Here's my cover story for @ColumbusAlive on the impact in Linden:
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I finally finished the #Welcome2America series on the official @prince podcast. I cried through the whole thing for many reasons. Many thanks to @SlingshotAnnie and team for centering Black voices. 1/3.
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Too many people are sleeping on the brilliant songwriting that is "And God Created Woman." One of #Prince's strongest compositions.
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Me: I'm interviewing Pam Grier today. What should I ask?. Dad: Tell her to autograph a poster from the '70s for me. So helpful, Dad. So helpful.
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It’s always a pleasure to participate in @DeejayUmb and @EdgarKruize’s #PrinceTwitterThread series. We’re in the midst of tackling the #SOTTDeluxe album. Today, I’ll be talking about “Forever in My Life.”
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