Good afternoon! May love, peace, protection, gratitude, enough, now, grace and mercy reside with you today. Yesterday, history was made at The NC Executive Mansion out of the Office Public Engagement under the vision and leadership of @_allisonmathews & @jeremyjcollins...They also had the support of a dynamic support team, which included the distinguished ladies of Delta Sigma Theta, Inc. (Chapel Hill Alumnae Chapter). It was World AIDS Day 2018 and this convening of diverse voices and some of the brightest minds unified to discuss and re-imagine “NC Beyond HIV” without human manufactured borders. Although this is the 30th year of global observance for WAD and countless advancements have been made to eradicate this “human” infection, there is STILL so much work to do in moving the agenda forward to fully realize this goal. Unfortunately, many manifestations of stigma are STILL pervasive, which inform and impact access to prevention and treatment services. We can do better. Again, this is not an “us” versus “them” problem: it’s a human one. Consequently, if we really want to “get to zero”, we have to be willing to “let go” of ineffective practices and ways of thinking and “make room” to embrace innovative ideas and approaches from new human energy. This can be achieved by veterans and pioneers in the field of HIV/AIDS intentionally working cooperatively with younger practitioners, community members, leaders, etc. via mentoring and co-learning. It was a great day filled with infinite possibilities. It was also a privilege and an honor to gift “the people’s” house with a signed print of my internationally recognized creation, “We Are ALL the Face of HIV/AIDS. It will become a permanent piece in their art collection. This was made possible by @digitallincs...#fctalk #freedomclay #wad2018 #afrofolkartbyfreedomclay #creatingsociallyresponsibleart #weareallthefaceofhivaids #untilthecure #digitallincs #2beathiv #supersoulsunday (at The North Carolina Executive Mansion) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bq5LcMWHh36/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1q7qnez79bn30
