The Texas Freedom Network announced today (Tuesday, Jan. 7) that Felicia M. Martin has been chosen as the next president and executive director for TFN, “leading the organization during a critical time for civil rights, education and social justice across Texas,” according to a TFN press release.
Martin, who has more than two decades of experience working toward equity and access for traditionally underrepresented communities, comes to TFN from The Jed Foundation (JED), where she served as regional director of academic programs for Texas. At JED, she led initiatives to improve mental health support for students across the state, particularly focusing on LGBTQ youth and BIPOC students.
TFN Board Chair Emma Brockway said, “Our search committee engaged with many exceptional candidates who share TFN’s values and vision for Texas. Felicia Martin’s powerful combination of strategic leadership experience and demonstrated success in advancing civil rights in Texas makes her the right leader for TFN at this critical moment.
“Her proven ability to build strong teams, secure resources and create lasting change across our state will be invaluable as we celebrate our 30th anniversary and plan our organization’s next chapter of impact across the state,” Brockway added.
Martin is a queer, third-generation Tejana whose roots in Texas “inform her passionate advocacy for equity and justice. She will be instrumental in advancing TFN’s mission to protect the freedoms of all Texans,” the press release noted.
Martin said she is “honored to join the Texas Freedom Network at this pivotal moment for civil rights in our state. TFN’s commitment to upholding and promoting the freedoms of every Texan resonates deeply with my values, both as a leader and as a native Texan raising my daughter here.”
She continued, “I am energized by the opportunity to work alongside TFN’s dedicated team and partners to articulate a bold vision for our future — one that prioritizes civil rights protections and creates lasting, positive change for all Texas communities.”
Prior to her work at JED, Martin served in various leadership roles at EMERGE Fellowship, where she was instrumental in developing programs to empower high-performing students from underserved communities to attend and graduate from selective colleges. Her work with EMERGE earned national recognition, including the 2022 National Association of College Admission Counseling Inclusion, Access and Student Success award.
Martin’s experience includes developing and implementing infrastructure to secure philanthropic funds exceeding $10 million annually, leading strategic initiatives and fostering inclusive organizational cultures. Throughout her career, she has trained more than 1,000 educators and youth leaders and has “consistently demonstrated success in building partnerships to advance civil rights and equity initiatives.”
Martin is an alumna of Rice University alumna and holds master’s degree in organization development from St. Edward’s University. She has extensive experience in organizational leadership and “a deep understanding of the challenges facing Texas communities,” according to the press release. She has served on several boards, currently advising the education committee for Connect Community, and is an alumna of the 2023 Latinos for Education Board Fellowship program.
The Texas Freedom Network is a grassroots organization of religious and community leaders and young Texans building an informed and effective movement for equality and social justice.
— Tammye Nash