Meet Larry Starks, MBA/PA | Community Advocate and Educator

We had the good fortune of connecting with Larry Starks, MBA/PA and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Larry, what do you want your legacy to be?
I guess the easy answer is that “he cared” not just about himself, but more about others. When I talk to summer school students at Pueblo High School, I talk about “the Dash”. when we die and people go to our gravesites, they can note the headstone, the day we were born, the day we died, some flowers, and maybe a saying. But the smallest thing on that headstone or obituary is “the Dash”, in between the dates of life and death. Which represents the “totality” of what we were, and what we did while on this side of the sun. I want people to know that he did not take his dash for granted. My father always said, to make sure people are better off after you leave them than when you meet them. I know I try hard to be a “good steward” and good person, but it is hard, and you have to learn, that not everyone wants your help, whether you believe they need it or not. I want my children, and grandchildren to be able to look back at my life and still be able to hold on to the things that I help build in the community, no matter how small, and hold their heads up with pride and dignity, to say they knew me when.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I kind of fell into this career of helping, because I have always volunteered, whether at school or the boys and girls club. When I came back home, I was looking for work, I had spent two years away at college and it didn’t work out for me, so I came back and went to the University of Arizona and began looking for work, I did some hard labor at UPS. and knew that was not for me. I then went to work at Hughes Aircraft on an assembly line, and the monotony of doing things the same day after day killed my soul. So, when I got laid off, a friend of mine told me about a job at a group home in town. So, I applied and got the job. It was life-changing. I worked with some of the most dangerous gang kids in Arizona, but I loved it, I loved the respect, the honesty that I could give, and the reward of helping someone who wanted my help. Unfortunately, due to lack of funding the group home closed a few years later and I was back to looking. I made a very good friend with one of the Parole officers Ed Kelly, who would come by to check on the kids. I loved how we worked with them, and the respect they had for him. He advised me to investigate working with the Department of Juvenile Corrections. There were 2 positions available, a Correction officer, and a Case Manager. Of course, the CM paid more, so that is what I wanted, but I was told that no one ever starts at that position, you must work your way up. Well in my mind since it was posted then why not? I went to the first interview, and surprisingly to everyone, they asked me back for a second interview. I went, and then they asked me back for a third interview. After that they hired me as a Case Manager, the first person ever hired off the street in that position. Well, the reason it took so many interviews, I would later find out is that they had already promised the job to a young white lady. But I impressed the supervisor so much, that he made them hire me, that was in January of 1991. Through the years I still wanted to become a parole officer, and I got the chance in 1994 when a good friend retired. I loved the autonomy of being a Juvenile Parole officer. Fast forward years later, in 2004 there was an opportunity for a supervisor, my mentor and Friend Ed Kelly, asked if I was going to apply, and I told him no, I was content where I was. He then told me in no mixed words “It is not about YOU” it is about those that came before you, to even allow you to be considered for the position. He was talking about himself, 30 years on the job, a master’s degree, never considered a supervisor. I then applied and became the first Black Supervisor in Tucson Juvenile Parole History. Then it became apparent that my trajectory was moving forward. In 2006, I became a Community Services Administrator, and in 2008 became a Juvenile Parole Administrator in Arizona. I retired from Juvenile Corrections in 2012. Then my education journey began in Eloy, AZ, as a dropout prevention Coordinator. The little town grew on me, and I was only supposed to be there for a year but ended up staying 4 years. I then went back home to Tucson, as my children were getting older and needed me closer, as the last 8 years I spent commuting between Tucson and Phoenix and Eloy. I was eventually employed by the Pima County Accommodation District as a transition Specialist, a brand-new position. Working with students enrolled in school at the juvenile Detention and Pima County Jail, I was now working to save lives from kids going to prison, instead of working with them in prison. This moved me into my safe space in the community and working with students, their families, and community members. As a part of this job, I began proctoring GED exams for students, I thought why we don’t have this for them when they leave, it was difficult to get them enrolled in other GED programs in the community. I worked with my administrator, and we now have a “GED MOBILE LAB” in which I proctor exams weekly for students in the community. While my son was attending Pima College, I went to talk to one of his Administration of justice classes about my career in Juvenile Justice. The Professor was so impressed, that he invited me to become an Adjunct Professor, where I am currently teaching since 2018, I specialize in working with dual-enrolled students. My career path has allowed me to work with thousands of the most vulnerable children in Arizona, I hope that each one feels the desire and concern that I have and hold for each other their lives. Each time a student gets their GED, I write an email saying “ Another life saved” because now they have another option for their life.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Being a native of Tucson (well been here since I was 3 months old). The first thing we are going to do is head to Lucky Wishbone, and get some Steak Fingers, 5 wing chicken order, some jalapenos, and if you’re into Shrimp, they have that too. When I was young, we really did not have much money to go out and eat, so I really did not know many fast-food restaurants until I was in high school, I do not remember ever, eating pizza at my house. But back to the story. Since I am a Wildcat fan, I would take them to the University of Arizona and show them the lovely basketball and football stadium the campus is beautiful, while on campus we will visit the African American Museum of Southern Arizona, some of the best artifacts on Buffaloe Soldiers the crown act, and local historians I Tucson and the Southwest. I love BBQ and eating, so a trip to Mr. K’s BBQ on Park Avenue is a great way to end the day. Being In the southwest the Desert Museum is a best-kept secret here in town. The atmosphere and Animals in their habitats are beautiful. Going on the adventure side, I would let them escape the heat by going to Mount Lemmon and seeing the wonder of being over 6,000 feet, in the mountains, with a nice cool breeze, and a tent or a cabin. Staying on the adventure side, I would take them to 7 Falls, so they could see the side of Tucson no one gets to see, with the wonder of the lake and the waterfalls, that cascade down the mountains. It is a hike, but well worth it when you get there, I would then take them to my favorite local “watering hole” Kon Tiki, and get some Monkey on a stick or beef skewers or grilled Mahi Mahi, and of course the most famous drink “The Scorpion” but we can only do one. Tucson is known for its Mexican food restaurants, there are so many to choose from, most like the popular Double LL or Mi NIdito, I am more a fan of the smaller more intimate restaurants, like Guadalajara, Crossroads, La India, and some food trucks like Jason’s, the Carne asada Tacos are great! Sonoran Hot Dogs, my favorite Hot Dog stand is Danny’s, a small truck that sits on Broadway. Since I am still talking about food, you must try a Tucson staple, which is Eegees, getting a cold Eegees Drink, and a large Italian Grinder, with fries and Ranch Dressing is the key to many nights. Many people come to Tucson to play golf because of the beautiful weather, I am not great, but if I want to trot around a course, I will take them to Rancho Del Lago or Dove Mountain, two of the best courses in Town. As for the weekend, a trip downtown is the best to offer, there are so many restaurants and bars that you could find any type of music your heart desires, and with the eclectic mix of clothing stores, bookstores, tattoo shops, and theaters, there is so much to take in. But the Beaty of Tucson is just taking in the sights and sounds of the desert, The Sunset in Tucson is one of the most spectacular things you will see. Just getting away from the hustle of a large city makes it well worth spending the hot summers here in Pima County.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My first shout-out will be to my parents, Burnes O. Starks Sr., and Theola M. Starks. They were married for over 50 years, and have 10 children. Neither of my parents finished middle school. However, collectively they knew the value of education and embedded that in the raising of their children. With 10 kids growing up in poverty on the southside of Phoenix and later the southside to Tucson, was very tough, especially after my father had to stop working due to health issues. My mother was the first person I saw volunteering, she was at our schools daily as a monitor and teacher’s aid, all free, even though we did not have much money. But I don’t remember ever going without anything, food, shelter, clothes, and even having a few quarters in my pocket, because my father taught us the value of a dollar. Well fast forward, with those 10 children, all graduated from high school, 8 have Bachelors degrees, 2 have Masters degrees, and 1 has Juris Doctorate. My parents instilled in me the will to help others. My mother was always cooking and making sure neighbors had food, my father would buy Ice cream for all my neighborhood friends. My house was the meeting spot because they made it so welcoming for everyone. There was not a time that I can remember growing up that there was not a “bonus” person living in my house. They would extend an olive branch to family and friends who just needed a little help. My second shout-out is to my Brother Maj. Burnes O . Starks II, the eldest in the family. He created such a legacy for us to follow, being 15 years older than me, he was more than a big brother, he had us in singing groups, plays, sports, all, the things that would keep us from the negativity of the neighborhood. He set the stage, and when people ask “Hey I know you a Starks” I can say with pride, Yes I am. If not tried to follow in his footsteps, I would not have been in this story.

Website: tucsonjune19.org

Instagram: @mrstarks07

Facebook: Larry Starks

Youtube: Tucson Juneteenth Commitee

Other: president@tucsonjune19.org larrystarks65@gmail.com larry.starks@pima.gov lstarks2@pima.edu

Image Credits
Joe Jackson Dennis Jordan Christian Meza