Catreese Qualls is a first-generation scholar and accomplished leader who has taken her own past traumatic lived experiences and used them to fuel her career in social justice activism. A dedicated advocate, educator, and mentor, Catreese is committed to helping advance the lives of marginalized and justice-impaired individuals within the community and society as a whole.

 Catreese is committed to helping improve the lives of those who have been adversely affected by decades of systemic oppression, historically embedded discriminatory policies and practices, through our nation's education system, prisons, health care systems, unfair housing programs, and financial institutions that continue to perpetuate inequalities that have led to decades of poverty, mental health issues, illiteracy, and other social ills.

Catreese has spent over two decades serving as an advocate within the community, helping to organize and promote the development, and sustainability of the neighborhoods and communities across the Metro Detroit area.

As a post-traditional student, Catreese reinvented herself from a small business owner with over a decade of experience as a licensed cosmetologist and Salon owner, to stepping out on faith and answering her calling to become a successful scholar at Schoolcraft College, historically the first DEI Researcher, Program Coordinator for the Office of Equity & Engagement, IDEA Fellowship Program Coordinator and mentor, and successful transfer student into the Irvin Reid Honors College at Wayne State University in Detroit. Catreese’s advanced undergraduate studies include Sociology with an emphasis on Urban Studies and Psychology with a focus on Industrial-organizational psychology at Wayne State University and Organizational Leadership in Diversity, Equity & Inclusion studies through the University of Michigan and currently The New Parsons School.

Catreese has used her critical thinking skills, cultural competency, strategic planning skills, and her ability to navigate among diverse audiences, to lead in roles such as current founding member of the International MLK League of Community Leaders, and Ambassador of Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Societies. Not only did she spearhead the Community College Smart campaign initiative alongside her colleagues, but she is also a former 2022 executive intern serving 321 Chapters across 9 Regional Organizations as the Division III International Vice President of Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, a historic first for African American Women at Schoolcraft College to receive this distinguished honor.

As a Kehrl Excellence in Communication Arts Award recipient, Catreese uses her platform and voice to help empower and encourage those who have been unseen, dehumanized, and abused by a system of oppression.

Catreese actively lectures on DEI initiatives and legislation impacting our communities, and is honored to now serve as the Co-Director of The Change Up.org