Last week, I had the pleasure of interviewing Dr. Keri Revens. She is the Director of Research and Evaluation here at Camino Community Center. Her latest research study was able to evaluate the needs of Charlotte’s Latino community based on the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. In our conversation, we touched upon the importance of this study, the methods used to employ it, and what National Women’s History Month means to her. I also got to learn more about Dr. Revens, her professional journey, and her dedication to community outreach.
To begin, I asked Dr. Revens to describe her role at Camino.
“I am the Director of Research and Evaluation. My role here is to conduct research that helps the needs of the Latino community and helps address different social issues that arise from those needs. Then I will take that data to help inform the development of new programs and services, or potential changes that need to be made to some of our existing programs and services, to continue to provide aid to our community.”
Dr. Revens emphasizes the importance of community-based participatory research when investigating problems in the community. This allows the community to drive the research that is being done on them.
“Technically, I am an outsider to the community. This method allows me to work directly with the community members and give them a voice.”
I asked Dr. Revens about her recent research study.
“In February, we did a survey to better understand the impact of COVID-19 on the Latino community in Charlotte and the surrounding areas. This need arose because we could not find a lot of data regarding the Latino community specific to Charlotte. So we decided to collect it ourselves.”
Alongside Research and Evaluation Assistant Lennin Caro and Health Education Researcher Paulina Martinez, Dr. Revens was able to create, translate, and circulate an electronic survey to the Latino community in Charlotte. There was a ripple effect amongst participants, as people would receive the survey and send it to others. In less than a day, nearly 400 people had taken the survey. Dr. Revens attributes this to the trust Camino has with the Latino community.
“The fact that we were able to target such a specific group of Mecklenburg county residents, which were Latino immigrants, and receive that many responses so quickly was amazing. This really speaks to the trust the Latino community has in Camino. They trusted us enough to tell us their immigration status–20% of participants felt safe sharing they were undocumented. You won’t find that data as easily anywhere else.”
Dr. Revens has found that 70% of the people Camino helps in the clinic and the pantry say they heard about Camino through word of mouth.
“The Latino community is so relational. Once someone trusts you, and they tell a friend or a family member about you, you are building trust with them as well.”
As a woman, I am very inspired by the work that Dr. Revens has been able to accomplish. To honor Women’s History, I asked her what National Women’s History month meant to her.
“To me, National Women’s History month means taking the time to honor the work women have done in the community and the work they do in their households. It is important women feel appreciated. I feel there is a common theme of women not taking care of themselves as much as they take care of everyone else. Especially women who are mothers. It is time to stop and consider women today and women throughout history. We need to highlight these stories for future generations.”
Dr. Revens goes on to explain the impact her mother had on her success.
“My mom did pretty much everything for my sister and me. She was very selfless, always working hard and putting us before herself. Sometimes she worked two jobs to support us. She always showed up for me, and she still does to this day. Because of her hard work, I have all of these opportunities that she didn’t have. I was able to attend college and get my Ph.D. I am the first person in my family to have these opportunities, thanks to her.”
Another inspiration to Dr. Revens is Rosalind Franklin, a chemist who advanced research in genetics during a time where women were underrepresented in science.
Dr. Revens loves out loud through acts of service, which can be seen through her dedication to community outreach.