Min. Jerria Martin’s leadership is a driving force behind transformative community initiatives. Her work with organizations like DFCDC and the Opioid Response Network reflects a dedication to building stronger, healthier communities. Through innovative strategies, including youth engagement programs, we are tackling pressing issues like substance use and promoting sustainable growth.
Visionary Leader | National Consultant | Community Advocate
Jerria Martin is the Executive Director of Drug Free Communities of Dallas County and a nationally recognized substance abuse prevention consultant based in historic Selma, Alabama. With a passion for public health and social change, she partners with leading agencies such as the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America (CADCA), and the Opioid Response Network (ORN) to build stronger, healthier communities.
A licensed and ordained minister, Jerria is known for her ability to bridge cultural divides through powerful communication, strategic leadership, and faith-based outreach. She holds a bachelor’s degree in English from Stillman College and a Master of Divinity from Princeton Theological Seminary. Her dynamic presence has led her to speak and preach both nationally and internationally, often alongside globally respected leaders.
Jerria’s commitment to community impact has earned her numerous honors, including Birmingham Magazine’s 30 Women Who Shape Alabama (2017), Top 20 Under 30 (2016), and TIAA’s Difference Maker of the Year (2018), which awarded her coalition $10,000 in support of its mission. She is a proud graduate and trainer of CADCA’s Graduate Coalition Academy.
In 2020, she was nationally recognized by First Lady Melania Trump, President Donald Trump, and the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) as one of the top drug prevention coalition leaders in the country. A true servant leader, Jerria also hosts three community radio shows and serves on multiple boards, including the Board of Directors for Vaughan Regional Medical Center.
In 2022, she was appointed by Alabama Governor Kay Ivey to the Executive Board of the Alabama Public Library Service, representing District 7. Most recently, her coalition was honored with the prestigious Blue Ribbon Coalition Award from the White House, affirming her unwavering dedication to public health, prevention, and empowerment.
