Mi Gente, Mi Corazón: Karla Quezada Torres on Love, Community, and Showing Up

By Cesar A Reyes

Karla Quezada Torres doesn’t see herself as a leader in the traditional sense; she’s not chasing titles or spotlight moments. What she is, though, is someone who has walked alongside her community for more than 20 years as a witness, a supporter, and a passionate ally in the fight against HIV/AIDS.

“I’ve worked with, by, and for my community for decades,” Karla says, “but more than anything, I’ve lived with them through it all—the challenges, the heartbreak, and the resilience.”

Her journey began in 1994 when she volunteered at LA County Hospital as a teenager. It was her first encounter with HIV—not through textbooks or training, but by seeing real people being left behind.

“I saw how people living with HIV were treated, isolated, abandoned,” she remembers. “Even at that young age, I knew something wasn’t right. And that experience never left me.”

After high school, Karla moved to San Diego to attend SDSU and, like many students, juggled different jobs to make ends meet. It wasn’t until she applied for a position in a CDC-funded HIV study at what was then Centros de Salud de la Comunidad de San Ysidro that things clicked.

“During the interview, I met people who were so committed to the community. It was different,” she says. “I felt this energy—the passion, the purpose. I realized this wasn’t just a job. It was where I was meant to be.”

Since then, Karla has spent her life walking beside those impacted by HIV, especially within the Latinx community. She’s worked in prevention, testing, advocacy, and support. But more than anything, she’s been a connector, someone who listens, shows up, and speaks up when it matters.

Her connection to the Dr. A. Brad Truax Awards, which honors individuals making a difference in the local HIV movement, started in 2006. She had just attended her first ceremony and saw her colleague, Rosana Scolari, receive the overall award.

“It was so powerful to see someone from our community—someone I worked with—being recognized,” Karla says. “That moment stuck with me.”

That night also honored others who left their mark: Sergio Flores, a dedicated volunteer; Virginia Sanchez, a nurse and border health hero; Dr. Jeannette Aldous, a trusted medical voice; and eventually, Karla’s husband, Ruben Quezada, known for his years of community service.

“I remember sitting there and thinking, Wow… these are my people. And their stories deserve to be lifted up.”

Since that first experience, Karla has made it a point to nominate others—especially those who don’t always get the recognition they deserve. She’s also helped host workshops to demystify the nomination process, making it more accessible for community members who want to honor their peers but may not know how to start.

“I want mi gente to feel confident telling their stories,” she says. “Sometimes they just need a little guidance or someone to say, ‘You got this.’”

Karla herself has been honored with several Dr. Brad Truax Awards, including in 2013, 2023, and 2024 — a reflection of her deep commitment. But she’s quick to say the awards aren’t about status or prestige.

“They’re about visibility. They’re about making sure our community sees itself in this work. That we’re not forgotten.”

As someone who collaborates closely with Latinx organizations in San Diego, Karla knows the importance of culturally rooted care. The statistics are clear: Latinx individuals make up nearly half of all people living with HIV in the county, and stigma remains a huge barrier.

“People still don’t feel safe talking about HIV,” she says. “And if we’re not talking about it, we’re not testing, we’re not getting treated, and we’re not preventing.”

That’s why offering services in Spanish, through trusted messengers, and in culturally respectful ways is key.

“It’s not just about translation—it’s about connection,” Karla says. “Our people need to feel seen, heard, and respected. When that happens, everything shifts.”

Looking at the future of the Truax Awards, Karla hopes the event continues to evolve through lifting up new voices—especially those working in prevention—youth engagement, and intersectional advocacy.

“To end the epidemic, we need new energy and fresh ideas. We also need to make space for people who’ve been doing the work quietly, without the spotlight.”

She’s seen progress over the years—more inclusive conversations, more recognition of HIV as a chronic condition, and more grassroots involvement. But she knows there’s still work to do.

“There are still providers who feel uncomfortable talking about sex, PrEP, or HIV,” she says. “We need to keep pushing for education and for breaking the silence, especially in our own communities.”

To those just stepping into this work—whether as volunteers, allies, or future leaders—Karla has simple but powerful advice:

“Stand on the shoulders of those who came before you. Learn from them, listen to the community, and show up even when it’s hard. Especially when it’s hard.”

And at the heart of everything Karla does is a deep love for her people. 

For Karla the WORD is Mi Gente. “My community is who I love and appreciate,” she says. “I want mi gente to feel valued, supported, and visible. That they belong. That they matter.”

Karla’s story isn’t about being a hero. It’s about being human—about standing with, not above, the people who’ve shaped her journey.

“I appreciate you. I love you. I love everything we do together for our people,” she says with a smile. “Because when we’re united, nothing is impossible.”