By Mia Caballero
I started my social media internship at AIDS Foundation Chicago (AFC) in January of 2020, a few months before most staff started working remotely. I am extremely grateful to have had two months to get to know some staff and attend in-person meetings like the Annual Meeting. Because a lot of the work I do is online, it wasn’t too hard to transition to working...
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By Ella Shapiro
For 35-year-old Chicago-based community activist Jo MaMa, attending their doctor appointments used to be a nightmare. At the time, Jo wasn’t comfortable with their HIV status being public. When Jo went to the doctor in-person, they felt they ran the risk of seeing someone they knew and compromising their privacy. As a result, Jo would experience severe anxiety...
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Update: On March 17, 2021, the City of Chicago announced anyone 16 and older who is living with HIV will be eligible for COVID-19 vaccines after Monday, March 29. The supply of vaccines will remain limited, and it may be challenging for people living with HIV to get an appointment. AFC recommends that people who are eligible contact their primary care provider if they have one. Residents can...
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Cecil Dearborne joined AFC's Board in 2020. Since 1992, he has worked in the IT consulting industry, focusing on business transformations and product development. He currently leads operations and strategy within North America for his company's Enterprise Modernization, Platforms, and Cloud service line. Although he is a tech guy at heart, as a...
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By Bailey Williams
Courtney Eshay Key, age 25, was shot and killed Christmas Day , 2020 . Courtney, a Black trans woman, is survived by her mother, brother, and sister , who loved her dearly .
“I know for a fact that Courtney just wanted to thrive,” said longtime friend Beverly Ross. “She just wanted to beat the odds and become...
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By Bailey Williams
Tyianna “Davarea” Alexander, age 28, was shot and killed Saturday, Jan. 6, 2021 in a car with her best friend Brandon Chris, who also died. Tyianna, a Black trans woman, is survived by her sister and mother, who loved her dearly.
Born and raised in Chicago, Tyianna attended Chicago Public Schools (CPS) and graduated from CPS’ Harper High School...
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By Kennedy Brookins
When I agreed to write a post about Dr. Mildred Williamson, who most recently served as the Executive Director of HIV Services at Ruth M. Rothstein's CORE Center, I thought this would center Mildred ’s career — the accomplishments, metrics and awards. And let’s be clear, she’s got all of those. But as I started talking with Mildred and her...
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By Bailey Williams
Shortly after having her son in 2019, Robin Petties found herself without stable housing. Her son stayed with his grandparents, while she couch surfed at friends’ apartments or slept in her car.
Robin’s household was just one of many families with children experiencing homelessness in Chicago. In 2018, the last year for which U.S. Census...
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By Bailey Williams
For those of us who write, it is necessary to scrutinize not only the truth of what we speak, but the truth of that language by which we speak it. - Audre Lorde
A few weeks after George Floyd was killed in Minneapolis and protests galvanized the nation, the Associated Press Stylebook—the language and style guide most news outlets and many others...
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Editor's Note: This piece was originally published in conjunction with the Building Power Through Advocacy media training on January 29, 2020.
By George M. Johnson
Social media has allowed us the space to share important information in the form of a tweet and within minutes reach millions throughout the world. As it continues to grow as the leading force that is driving news...
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