St. Louis, Missouri
Positive since 1991   

As an African-American male living in St. Louis, Missouri, I feel the challenges relating to HIV are getting worse not better. The bully behavior from others in the African American HIV/AIDS community is very juvenile. 



African Americans face the biggest burdens of the HIV/AIDS epidemic. It would be nice to see St. Louis on the map as a city that provides better services for African American men—regardless of his sexual identity.

A physical safe space is culturally important. Stop sugar coating the issues that African American men face.  A safe place in one’s mind or a safe place within oneself is a far-fetched reality. 



I’m sick of hearing “that sounds like a personal problem” or “that sounds like an isolated issue.” We need sanctuary.

What is your greatest achievement?
Being a 20-year survivor of HIV/AIDS

What is your greatest regret?
Not being honest with myself

What keeps you up at night?
Being in bed alone

If you could change one thing about living with HIV, what would it be?
The daily body pain

What is the best advice you ever received?
HIV is not a death sentence

What person in the HIV/AIDS community do you most admire?
Myself

What drives you to do what you do?
The promises of new medications and POZ.com

What is your motto?
Live your best life

If you had to evacuate your house immediately, what is the one thing you would grab on the way out?
My vital documents

If you could be any animal, what would you be? And why?
A human—because I have more options in life