By Bailey Williams
When Derrick Kimbrough was growing up on Chicago’s South and West Sides, he loved school so much that he’d often play school in his free time with his cousins. In each skit, Derrick insisted on acting out the role of the teacher by performing a lesson to his eager students. Decades later, Derrick transformed that early love of school into a career.
After...
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AFC is heartbroken to learn that long-time HIV advocate Ben Montgomery passed away. Ben was a campaigner from the West Side of Chicago and fought for health care access, HIV funding and equity and justice. Ben raised hell when he needed to — and got results. He was one of the driving forces behind the first-in-the-nation HIV/AIDS Quality of Life scratch-off lottery ticket, which has raised...
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By Sacha I. Urban
Content warning: This piece includes conversations about depression, sexual assault and suicide.
Tyshon Shepard is a proud father of 3 boys. He spends his days taking care of his 2 younger sons, aged 1 and 2. His sons have given him purpose, leading him to set a goal of starting a business he can one day pass on to his sons.
“My kids...
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By Bill Keller
Our addictions can bankrupt us. I definitely did that to myself and the relationships I had. I kept doing the same things, expecting to get a different result until I finally hit my rock bottom. I’m sharing my story to possibly reach someone who might be struggling and can relate to my journey. Know that things can get better and be different. ...
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By Bailey Williams
Each year, several people living with HIV volunteer to serve on AIDS Foundation Chicago (AFC)’s Ryan White Community Advisory Board. Having received services and case management under the Ryan White Care Act, the Board members bring firsthand experience to their advocacy on the Board. Their feedback and insights on new AFC initiatives, programs and case...
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By Bailey Williams
Darrow Alexander, 57, of Chicago, started having pain in his pancreas, breathing problems and occasional chest pain. He wasn't sure what was going on and knew his options were limited because he was uninsured, but one day, he decided to go to Rush University Medical Center and inquire about his ailments.
While there, a staff member recommended...
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AIDS Foundation Chicago (AFC) is heartened by the dramatic decrease in the number of Chicagoans newly diagnosed with HIV in 2019, as the city’s public health department announced on Dec. 1, World AIDS Day . 652 Chicagoans were diagnosed with HIV in 2019, down from 760 in 2018, a 14% decrease. This year’s numbers build on a 29% decrease in new HIV cases since 2015.
The new data...
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By Bailey Williams
Tim Jackson vividly remembers the first political campaign he worked on at age 12 in Jackson, Mississippi.
Tim was at home with his mother when they both heard a knock on their door. His mother went to answer it, and Tim observed nearby, listening to the conversation taking place. Their alderman was running for re-election and wanted their...
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Update, Dec. 3: An amicus brief was filed by the City of Seattle and 20 other local governments in support of our motion for preliminary injunction, including Chicago, Illinois.
The full list of amici includes Austin, Texas; Boulder, Colorado; Bucks County, Pennsylvania; Chicago, Illinois; Cincinnati, Ohio; Columbus, Ohio; Cook County, Illinois; Dayton, Ohio; Iowa City, Iowa; King County,...
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By Bailey Williams
This month, AIDS Foundation Chicago (AFC)'s Board of Directors voted Craig W. Johnson as the next AFC Board Chair. Craig has served on AFC’s Board since 2017, and most recently worked as Board Vice Chair and Chair of the Policy and Advocacy Committee.
"I have so much respect for AFC as an organization and the team of dedicated individuals...
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