MEET OUR HIV HERoes
The 20/20 Leading Women's Society
Tranisha Arzah
HIV HERo
Tranisha Arzah (she/they) lives in New Orleans, Louisiana but was born and raised in Seattle, Washington. She currently works part time as an assistant gardener for a community garden that provides food for ‘food-apartheid’ areas.
Robin Barkins
HIV HERo
Robin Barkins is a fearless and outspoken Peer Advocate. Every day, Robin embraces her mission to empower the reentry population and the women and men who suffer from the diseases of trauma, addiction, and HIV.
Gail Brown
HIV HERo
Gail is passionate about the communities she lives and works in.
She is Director of COPE (Coalition on Positive Health Empowerment) focusing on advocacy and health/wellness education and programming.
Ashley Cason
HIV HERo
Ashley was diagnosed with HIV in September 2007. She was born with the virus, but had no knowledge
Dashita Evetta Croom
HIV HERo
Dashita Croom was born in Kinston, North Carolina and grew up with her mother living in the Grifton, Kinston, and Snow Hill areas in North Carolina.
Alicia E. Diggs
HIV HERo
Alicia Diggs has been living with HIV for 20 of her 49 years, and she’s made good use of every year. Not only is she an author, a Ph.D., and a fierce advocate for people living with HIV
Gayle Dorky
HIV HERo
Gayle was diagnosed in the 1990s at the height of the HIV/AIDS pandemic.
Joyce Johnson
HIV HERo
Joyce hails from New Orleans, Louisiana where she graduated from South Terrebonne High School. She relocated to Wesley Chapel, Florida and worked as a school custodian at Wesley Chapel...
Rita R. McDaniel Long
HIV HERo
In 2010, she began her journey of working in the field of HIV as co-chair, and
Nelly Melendez
HIV HERo
In 1996 at the age of 34, Nelly’s husband passed away from cirrhosis of the liver at...
Justina Mercer
HIV HERo
She herself started using drugs and it wasn't long after she found herself not only pregnant but diagnosed with HIV.
Dominique Morgan
HIV HERo
Dominique Morgan (She/Her) is an international award-winning artist, activist, and TEDx speaker. She is the Executive Director of...
Melanie Reese
HIV HERo
Melanie was born in Seattle, Washington, and was considered an...
Esther Ross
HIV HERo
Esther has been thriving with HIV for 28 years. She is originally from New York but now...
Julia Sanchez
HIV HERo
At three months pregnant with her second child, Julia was diagnosed with HIV. Thus, began her journey...
Gwendalyn Valentine
HIV HERo
She struggled with addiction for many years, and was sadly sexually assaulted, beaten, and left for dead...
Derinthia Williams
HIV HERo
Derinthia is an author, musical artist, and HIV activist who uses media as a key way to connect with her peers and community about sexual health and harm reduction....