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Stacey Carless, Esq.

she/her/hers

Executive Director

Stacey is the founding Executive Director of NC Counts Coalition. With a remarkable track record of advocacy and community empowerment, Stacey has dedicated her career to advancing equity and opportunity for historically disenfranchised communities.

In her role as Executive Director, Stacey has left an indelible mark on the state’s landscape. She has testified before Congress, passionately advocating for a complete, fair, and accurate count of BIPOC communities in the census. Stacey’s visionary leadership led to impactful partnerships, including collaborations with current CDC Director Mandy Cohen and NC Governor Roy Cooper to launch “Healthier Together.” This public-private partnership successfully closed testing and vaccine equity gaps in Black and Latinx communities during the challenging times of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Through Stacey’s vision and under her leadership, NC Counts Coalition has flourished into a nationally acclaimed nonprofit. In just 2.5 years, the organization provided more than $5.8 million dollars in grant funding to over 75 grassroots and nonprofit organizations. These initiatives, predominantly BIPOC-led and focused, aimed to promote a fair census count, address health inequities, and mobilize for fair maps in the redistricting process.

Born and raised in Raleigh, North Carolina, Stacey is the daughter of Jamaican immigrants and proudly embraces her Jamaican-American identity. Stacey earned her Bachelor of Arts Degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, double majoring in Journalism and Mass Communications and Political Science. She furthered her education by obtaining a juris doctorate degree with a certificate in constitutional law and civil rights from North Carolina Central University School of Law, becoming a licensed attorney and member of the NC State Bar.

Beyond her professional endeavors, Stacey finds fulfillment in various pursuits. She is an avid Zumba enthusiast and cherishes moments spent with her family and friends. Exploring the vibrant cultures of Downtown Raleigh and Downtown Durham also holds a special place in her heart. Additionally, Stacey volunteers as an attorney with Legal Aid of North Carolina, advocating for tenant rights in eviction matters.