Charles Qualls Papers

Dr. Charles E. Qualls(1932- 1984) was an entrepreneur, pharmacist, and civil leader in Washington, D.C. Qualls was born in New Bern, Tennessee to Fred and Ary Watts Qualls, after his birth the family moved to South Bend, Indiana. Charles moved to Washington, D.C. in 1936 to attend Howard University, where he graduated from the School of Pharmacy in 1941. After graduation, he achieved his dream of becoming a business owner when he opened his drug store, the Anacostia Pharmacy. Two years later, Dr. Qualls married Aleneitha Johnson of Conway, South Carolina and the couple had one son, Frederic Qualls. He became "Doc Qualls" to all who knew him, and the Anacostia Pharmacy became a fixture for the community. Throughout his career, Mr. Qualls strived to improve the business in Anacostia and to bring city services to its residents. He was chair and organizer of Anacostia Coordinating Committee of the Anacostia and Vicinity, which represented church, school and civic groups before local government agencies; and he was a charter member and first president of the Anacostia Business and Professional Association. His influence in Anacostia and District of Columbia extended beyond the interests of local businesses to the health of Anacostia's residents. Dr. Qualls founded the Washington Pharmaceutical Association in 1947; he was also instrumental in the establishment of a Southeast Unit of the D.C. Chapter of the National Cancer Society. A trustee of Greater Southeast Community Hospital, Qualls lobbied and fundraised for the hospital in the underserved community. In 1984 at the age of 72, Charles E. Qualls died of cancer at Howard University Hospital.