Lakeisha Quarles

Community Planning Fellow • 2024

University/College Fordham University

Bio

Lakeisha Quarles is pursuing a Master’s degree in Social Work at Fordham University. She also holds a Master’s degree in Emergency Management, through which she had the opportunity to study abroad in Israel, and a Bachelor’s degree in Finance and Marketing. Lakeisha brings over two decades of experience in human services and community engagement. Her role as an essential worker during the COVID-19 pandemic, working with at-risk and homeless youth, reinforced her passion for advocacy, prompting her to return to school to better serve this population. Currently, she is focused on advocating for youth rights at both micro and mezzo levels within her agency and the broader community. Lakeisha believes that effective change starts at the ground level and builds up to influence macro-level policies and practices. In her free time, she enjoys relaxing by the water, traveling to experience different cultures, and spending time in nature through gardening, hiking, and long walks.