Last Wednesday, I had the privilege of attending a powerful press briefing titled “The Time Is Now: Let’s End HIV in Our Communities” during the National Medical Association’s 2025 Annual Convention and Scientific Assembly at the Hilton Chicago.
This event wasn’t just any briefing, it was a historic convening during the premier gathering for Black physicians and healthcare professionals in the United States. I attended via invitation from the National Black Justice Coalition (NBJC), a civil rights organization dedicated to empowering Black LGBTQ+ and same-gender-loving folks, including those living with HIV.
Who Was in the Room
In attendance were representatives from historically Black organizations and institutions that continue to shape our communities:
- NAACP
- National Council of Negro Women
- The Divine Nine
- Win With Black Women
- National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ)
The panel featured a dynamic lineup of leaders, advocates, and cultural influencers, including:
- Jotaka Eaddy, CEO of Full Circle Strategies & founder of Win With Black Women
- Debra Wafer, Executive Director of U.S. Public Affairs at Gilead Sciences
- Dr. Keith Green, Executive Director of the Chicago Black Gay Men’s Caucus
- Dr. Toya N’Pha, Executive Director of U.S. Medical Affairs at Gilead Sciences
- Raheem DeVaughn, Grammy-nominated singer & founder of the Love Life Foundation
Why This Matters
Family, here’s the truth: Black women continue to be disproportionately impacted by HIV. Despite major advances in prevention, the data is sobering as Black women make up more than 50% of new HIV diagnoses among women.
The presser’s mission was clear: educate doctors and trusted messengers about prevention tools like PrEP, tackle stigma, and push for people-centered solutions.
One of the most memorable moments came from Raheem DeVaughn. He shared his personal journey of being on PrEP for years, taking at-home HIV tests, and how transparency about sexual health can help normalize these conversations. His playful yet powerful line, “you swab me, I’ll swab you”, might just inspire a future campaign.
A Black Woman’s Why
At the end of the briefing, I asked Jotaka Eaddy why this work mattered so deeply to her. Her answer struck me:
“It’s important as a Black woman who cares about Black people, and particularly Black women, to understand information that is not readily known in our community. Black women account for nearly 50% of the new diagnoses of HIV amongst women.”
Her why is my why. If you’ve been following the Queer News Podcast, you may remember our World AIDS Day special, “Shine a Light on It: Black Women, HIV and Its Impact.” In that episode, we broke down systemic inequalities, cultural stigma, and the resilience of Black women living with HIV.
Where Do We Go From Here?
I also asked Jotaka what the next steps should be. Her response was clear:
- Meet Black women where they are.
- Ensure trusted messengers carry this information.
- Normalize knowing our HIV status.
- Engage cultural leaders and influencers like Raheem DeVaughn to amplify the message.
I couldn’t agree more. This is a collective effort—one that requires awareness, honesty, and action. Too many people still don’t know the numbers. They don’t know the facts. They don’t know about PrEP.
That’s why I’ll continue to use my platform to shine a light, ask the questions, and spread the word. Because ending HIV in our communities is possible—but only if we do it together.
