National Black HIV Awareness Week
The Afiya Center (TAC) was established in response to the increasing disparities between HIV incidences worldwide and the extraordinary prevalence of HIV among Black women and girls in Texas. TAC is unique in that it is the only Reproductive Justice (RJ) organization in North Texas founded and directed by Black women. Our mission is to serve Black women and girls by transforming their relationship with their sexual and reproductive health through addressing the consequences of reproduction oppression.
As a Black women centered, led, and founded organization, honoring Black women is in our blood. For the week of National Black HIV awareness we want to carve out space for Black women who have done remarkable work for the HIV+ community.
In the 90’s Sheryl Lee Ralph created a fund to help people on Broadway who were living with HIV or dying from AIDS. The fund still exists, which is a testament to her commitment. Her yearly event, Divas Simply Singing, helps to keep that fund alive. Initially created as a memorial, it has become a living breathing testament to the power of art in our lives.
She also created a one act show based on the lives of women living with HIV, and our own Policy Director- Deneen Robinson- was one of those women. A through line of her work is using the power of art to support HIV/AIDS causes. She makes revolution irresistible.
We understand that the church is an indigenous institution in Black communities- but our church homes have harmed some of us- teaching us that sexuality was a sin and that any ills from exploring our sexuality were punishment that we deserved for not adhering to outmoded ideals of respectability.
Bishop Yvette Flunder has spent decades challenging people’s theology around HIV. Bishop Flunder has served her calling through prophetic action in ministry for justice for over 30 years. Bishop Flunder has been a national and international leader in the fight against AIDS since 1986. She developed the first housing program for women in San Francisco and served on the presidential advisory council on HIV/AIDS under president Barack Obama. Her resume is thick with proof of commitment to seeing the end of HIV.
Blending her theological work with her activism effortlessly she says that we have to “understand the heart of God is what we represent. You know, not our own preconceived and pejorative notions of the other.” For her tireless work for folks living with HIV, we honor her.
We believe that we can end HIV/AIDS, together.
The Afiya Center addresses HIV in several ways. We understand that some people with HIV are unaware they have it. We also know that people who don’t know they have HIV can’t get the care and treatment they need and may transmit HIV to others without knowing it. To combat that we host a testing event every year called “Get Tested Grab a Bite” a free event where people can come get tested, eat, and learn about HIV, treatment, and available services in Dallas.
HIV stigma is common among people with HIV and negatively affects their quality of life. Stigma and fear of discrimination may prevent Black folks with HIV from getting the care they need or disclosing their status. To address this, The Afiya Center program Living Out Loud was created.
Living Out Loud: With a Purpose is a trauma-informed peer-driven project targeting Black cisgender and transgender women living with HIV. Participants use their experiences to amplify their voices and create a safe environment for others to do the same. This project aims to end the stigma and equip participants with skills to advocate for policies that ensure inclusionary representation among decision making on how women-centred services are funded, allocated, and delivered. We also host a yearly World AIDS Day event called End With Red to celebrate the lives of women we know who are living with HIV/AIDS.