Leatrice Martin
Meet Leatrice Martin, the dynamic new public health educator with the Community Engagement Core at the RCMI. With over 37 years of experience as a public health educator and practitioner, Leatrice is a powerhouse of knowledge and dedication, making her a truly invaluable addition to the team.
She spent 22 years as the director of community outreach and education at the Duke Heart Center, where she developed impactful educational and volunteer strategies around cardiovascular health. Leatrice then expanded her influence at the Duke Clinical and Translational Science Institute’s Mobile Application Gateway and Community Engaged Research Initiative, coordinating cutting-edge educational programming that bridged digital health innovation, community-engaged research, and health equity. Her early work in local health departments focused on health promotion, addressing breast and cervical cancer, wellness, and senior health in both urban and rural communities across North Carolina.
Leatrice’s commitment to public health was most evident during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, when she organized the African American COVID-19 Taskforce, a groundbreaking "coalition of coalitions" dedicated to reducing the pandemic’s impact on minoritized communities. Through weekly meetings with community members, researchers, and service providers, she connected people across North Carolina to the vital information and resources they needed to navigate the crisis. Her expertise in education, mass communication strategy development, grant writing, and community mobilization has allowed her to build enduring community engagement strategies and partnerships that leave a lasting impact.
Beyond her professional accomplishments, Leatrice is deeply committed to her family and community. She is a proud wife to Merritt Short and the dedicated mother of two accomplished children, Leah and Bryant, as well as a beloved fur baby, Nelson Mandela. Together with her family, Leatrice founded Duplin County Toys for Tots, a heartwarming initiative that has brought educational resources, toys, and health screenings to families in Eastern North Carolina since Hurricane Floyd.
Leatrice also has a passion for mentorship, guiding health education students from North Carolina Central University to enhance their skills in core health education practices. Her dedication to empowering others, whether through professional mentorship or community service, is a testament to her unwavering commitment to making a difference in the lives of others. Leatrice’s dedication to public health and her community shines through in all she does, making her a truly inspiring and invaluable asset to the RCMI team.