Meet Zerlina
Board Member
Meet Zerlina A. Smith
Zerlina A.Smith is a seasoned community leader, advocate for equitable mental health access, and influential voice in violence prevention and trauma-informed policy. She holds a degree in Political Science from Northeastern University, grounding her work in thoughtful analysis and strategic engagement across community and policy spaces.
With deep roots in Chicago’s West Side, Zerlina has dedicated her career to advancing community wellbeing, uplifting lived experience, and shaping systems that prioritize healing, resilience, and safety. She has served on multiple community leadership boards and education committees, including as Chair of the Chicago Public Schools Head Start Policy Committee (2014–2015), where she championed early childhood support and family-centered services. Her leadership has also been recognized through multiple community awards for advocacy, civic engagement, and public service.
Zerlina’s work as an organizer and policy advocate bridges grassroots experience with meaningful influence in public policy and cross-sector collaboration. She has been a visible and vocal leader on issues ranging from community safety and behavioral health resources to educational equity and public systems reform. Her commitment to trauma-informed approaches and equitable access shapes her contributions to strategic decision-making at every level.
As a board member, Zerlina brings strategic vision, lived experience insight, and a deep commitment to justice, dignity, and opportunity. Her leadership continues to strengthen pathways for healing, empower community voice, and expand impactful solutions that support mental health, safety, and shared prosperity.
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