Lisa Quarles

Position/Title: Community Engagement Specialist
Years at TraCS: 3 years in June
Years at UNC: 7 years in April

Background

I'm originally from... Rocky Mount, better known as 'The Rock'. It's in eastern North Carolina.

My first job ever was... with Congressman Scott-VA. I was an intern, and my professor told me that I was taking an internship in Congressman Scott's office. My professor was a member of the NAACP and he knew the Chief of Staff. During this era, people really looked out for the well-being of young people & said, "You're doing this!"

I worked with the Congressman my entire senior year which led to additional political work. After graduation, I went to work for Governor Hunt-NC, Senator Harry Reid-NV, lobbied for the American Cancer Society National Office, and then led the policy agenda and grassroots efforts for the San Francisco AIDS Foundation, as the Director for Community Organizing and Mobilization for Northern California.

When I was little I dreamed of being... a ballerina. Unfortunately, as a child, there were no dance schools in Rocky Mount due to my race. I took advantage of the dance opportunities in college and post-graduation. For example, I attended Master classes for Alvin Alley's Dance Company.

The best advice that I ever received was... regardless of your position in life, always treat people with kindness. My dad always told me to treat the janitor and the front desk person better than the CEO because those are the people who could open doors for me.

Work

What is your elevator pitch about what you do at TraCS? I provide a liaison between the research community and the community-at-large. I make sure that it's an equitable relationship — meaning that the community has as much impact on the research and advances that are being done here at our institution. I give guidance in terms of the best strategies and I make sure that engagement is on the forethought of all researchers, not an afterthought.

What part of your work has you the most excited? Tell us about it! The potential of my work to make an impact in all communities in North Carolina. Also, developing the future leaders and health research and health equity energizes me daily.

I got into this field because...my dad died from cancer right after I graduated from college. I felt it was too soon to lose my father because I needed him even more at that point as a young adult. So I got into this field because I didn't want another little girl to lose her dad too soon. After that I realized that health disparities do not affect just the poor and minorities. My parents had money. They had health insurance. They were educated, but they still died prematurely. I felt that something needed to be done because health is a human right. At one time I would say that health was a civil right, because my mom was a civil rights activist. She was part of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee. Just because we're breathing we should have access to good healthcare and we're recognizing that health disparities are more than just not having insurance, it's also the treatment received based on your color, ethnicity, religion, language or gender. I wanted to level the playing field for health in all communities.

Personal

To get me talking, ask about... Buddy, my puppy.

Describe yourself in 4-6 words. She made a difference.

Outside the office, I... am the same person as I am inside the office.

One thing on my bucket list is... to travel to India.

I'm currently reading... I finished reading a compilation of essays from different authors describing how Michelle Obama's role as the first African-American First Lady impacted them. I'm currently reading Life Entrepreneurs, which is a book about how your leadership should be impactful.

My biggest inspiration is... my ancestors. I come from rural Nash County sharecroppers. So my family wasn't affluent. For them to have suffered through slavery, Jim Crow, sharecropping, and constant discrimination inspires me to take on each day. My mom being the first one in our family to graduate from high school and then college. And I'm the second. I recognize that I come from a group of people who were very strong, and they made a difference in their community. And it always takes me back to the basic principle of human kindness because whatever they had, even though it may have been very little, they shared with others. They are my inspiration, not only for my work, but for how I walk as a person.

If I could know the whole truth about one thing, I'd want to know... why we hate others because of differences? Why we put people in categories? When did we stop loving and treating people fairly, regardless? Why do we build up walls and magnify differences instead of accepting people for who they are? I'd love to know that whole truth.

If I could have tea with anyone in the world, it would be... outside of my mom, it would be Mary McLeod Bethune who is an African American historian. She helped promote the agenda, particularly of women of color, through her friendship with Eleanor Roosevelt. At a time when African-Americans were afraid to speak up, she spoke out. She started a school in Florida and the Klu Klux Klan came to her house. She dared them to cross her yard. I would love to sit at her feet and ask her during those times when you're the only one — you're all by yourself — how do you have the strength to push on? And why did you care so much about your community that you'd give your life? I would love to know as someone who cares, how can I do better? She started the National Council of Negro Women. She started a college in Florida. She advised Presidents. How do you use your access for good during times of trouble? I'd love to sit at her feet for that.

What is your favorite meal? Anything Asian. My favorite, favorite is Thai. A nice beef basil or drunken noodle is my everything.

What is your favorite place on earth? New Orleans and San Francisco.

What is your favorite movie? I love Bollywood movies — all Bollywood love stories! I saw a Bollywood movie on my birthday. You get intermission — who does that? I like how they talk about love, show respect to elders, and bring out the human principles that we sometimes forget — stay true to your heart, be respectful, treat this world as you want to be treated, be kind.

Who is your favorite singer? Nina Simone. She is an amazing singer from North Carolina. She developed her voice through experiences. Not only did she develop her voice, she used her voice to alleviate the pain and suffering of her community, and to uplift.

Who is your favorite author? J. California Cooper. She's an amazing short story author who is deceased. Part of her appeal to me was the California in her name, but her storytelling is phenomenal. She wove lives and stories together into a beautiful tapestry.