Beloved Chicago actress and comedienne Erica Watson passed away in Montego Bay, Jamaica on February 27 from complications relating to Covid-19. We are raising money to HELP the grieving Watson family bring our beloved Erica home and ease at least some of the financial hardships they are facing due to her untimely passing.  Daughter of Henry Watson and Willie Mae Watson, and sister to Eric Watson, Erica grew up in Chicago's Hyde Park neighborhood and graduated from Kenwood Academy. She completed her bachelor of the arts in film and television production at Columbia College Chicago in 1998 and her master of the arts in media management in 2005.  Through stand-up comedy and her one-woman show Fat Bitch, Erica tackled issues of size acceptance, racial and gender stereotypes, and other poignant topics in a hilarious—yet thought-provoking—manner that was uniquely Erica. She performed in film, theater, and television—with highly regarded performances in television's Empire, The Chi, and Chicago Fire, and  BlacKorea, Chi-Raq, and Precious on the big screen. Notably, Erica starred alongside Dawn Wells in the Off-Broadway production of Love, Loss, and What I Wore, at Chicago's Westside Theatre. Her quick wit, larger-than-life personality, and fearlessness made her a fan favorite on ABC's Windy City LIVE, FOX 32 Chicago's Good Day Chicago, BET, Oxygen, and as a regular contributor for the Huffington Post. Erica was true to her core—never forgetting where she came from or those who helped her along the way. She was the ultimate mentor and connector— constantly identifying and providing opportunities for others, and tirelessly lending her time and talent to advance worthy organizations.  Every little bit helps, no gift is too small! Every cent raised will go directly to Eric Watson for Erica's homecoming and final expenses. It is times like these that we, as a community, need to pick each other up, and help get one of our own through this most difficult time.

Allison Weiss

Caroline Waxler

Yameka Webb

Hadiyah  Robinson

Anonymous

Jerrita Wilder

Danielle Davis

Definition Theatre

Nicole Jordan

Amy Williams

Crystal and Damon Grinter

Sheika Luc

Tiffany Camara

Mark Muhammad

Triumphant Enterprises, LLC

Wanaki Shores-Navata

Brian Bullitt

Erica Watson Memorial Fund

Erica Watson Memorial Fund

Still $6,525 to go. Help us build momentum.