The discussion was enlightening, with panelists sharing diverse perspectives on how Black youth at HBCUs confront the 43-year-long HIV epidemic. The session highlighted the role of educational institutions in shaping the narrative and providing critical resources for students, with each campus tackling the issue in different ways, but all working towards the same goal — reducing the spread of HIV and providing support for affected students.
Another essential session, Threats and Opportunities: Combatting HIV in the Black U.S. South, examined the various systemic challenges and promising innovations in the fight against HIV. Moderated by Dafina Ward, JD, of the Southern AIDS Coalition, this discussion tackled a wide range of issues, from voting rights restrictions and poverty to harmful legislation, funding cuts, and HIV criminalization. The panel included thoughtful leaders such as Tori Cooper from the Human Rights Campaign Foundation, S. Mandisa Moore O’Neal of the Center for HIV Law and Policy, Alex Santiago of Destination Tomorrow, Reggie Smith of The Reggie and Donna Smith Foundation, and A. Toni Young from the Community Education Group.