National Black Justice Collective Commemorates World AIDS Day
CONTACT: Jordan Wilhelmi | jordan@unbendablemedia.com
WASHINGTON –In commemoration of this year’s World AIDS Day, Dr. David J. Johns, executive director of the National Black Justice Collective (NBJC), a leading Black LGBTQ+ civil rights organization, issued the following statement:
“Today, we pause to honor the lives stolen by the HIV/AIDS epidemic, to celebrate the resilience of those living with HIV, and to recommit ourselves to the fight against stigma, ignorance, and inequality that continue to perpetuate this public health crisis, which disproportionately impacts Black people.
“Since the introduction of the epidemic in the late 1980s, HIV/AIDS has negatively impacted Black communities most. The impact of HIV/AIDS has been especially devastating in our community because of ignorance, fear, systemic racism, healthcare disparities, and lack of access to competent, high-quality, and affordable care, which collectively exacerbate inequities in prevention and treatment. According to the CDC, Black Americans account for 40% of all new HIV diagnoses, with Black gay, bisexual, and SGL men facing exceptionally high rates of infection. That’s nearly half of our community, and statistics concerning our community are often under-reported. High rates of HIV diagnoses are not just a public health issue but a social justice crisis that demands our collective attention and action.
“On this World AIDS Day, we honor the activists, medical professionals, and advocates who have worked tirelessly to advance awareness, research, and treatment. From grassroots organizers to global leaders, their efforts have saved countless lives and moved us closer to a future free from HIV/AIDS. In this spirit, we are thrilled to highlight Black HIV activists working to ensure our community gets the testing, treatment, care, and prevention it needs. Follow @NBJCOnTheMove across digital platforms to learn more about these torchbearers.
“As we reflect, we must also look ahead. NBJC remains committed to advancing culturally competent education, increasing access to preventative measures like PrEP, and demanding equity in healthcare for Black LGBTQ+/SGL communities. The fight to end the HIV/AIDS epidemic must include ending the systems of oppression that make our communities more vulnerable. Learn more about how HIV affects the Black community and how you can have difficult but life-saving conversations by downloading NBJC’s World AIDs Day and Words Matter HIV toolkits.
“Let today serve as a reminder that we all have a role in this fight. Together, we can combat stigma, increase access to life-saving resources, and ensure that those living with HIV are treated with the dignity and respect they deserve.”