Bronx, New York

Positive since 2007

Back in 2007, I caught my ex cheating on me.

Feeling uneasy and hearing someone telling me to get tested, I got tested the next day via mouth swab. As I suspected, the test came back positive. The person giving the test advised me to take it again because it could be a false positive and that I should not be too alarmed. I took the test two more times, and they both came back positive. I took a moment to breathe and went home.

When I got home, I broke down and cried. I wanted to fight my ex because of the betrayal. I was hurt because in my spirit I knew he introduced something into my body that I did not ask for—before the test results were even a factor. I didn’t want to believe it, but it was true. After all the accusations of me cheating, he was the one doing it.

After crying for three days and asking God why he would he do this to me, why he would give me the mark of death and make me sick, why he would curse me to die, He spoke to me and asked, “Who do you know that has lived forever? Why would you speak death into your life? Stop saying what you are dying with and dwell on what you live for.”

From that moment, I decided to help who I can when I can while I can.

I began to pursue my modeling career despite my health challenge, and I passed on information that I learned as a model to those who were just starting. I then began to do acting work and did the same in that area as well. I was actually living, and my relationship with God was getting stronger as he showed me I am not a curse but a blessing to others.

I was able to turn my positive into a positive-filled life of love. My actions drew attention, and many said I could charge for my advice and information. But I wasn’t driven by money. I just wanted to help everyone who needed it.

As I met others, I decided to turn what I was doing into a nonprofit organization called A Real Desire to help all artists in any way I could. I also decided to write a book to share some of my challenges in life to help inspire those who feel alone. A Real Desire is now a federal nonprofit organization that is growing to help many.

HIV has motivated me to live my life and conquer the challenges ahead. I was diagnosed with AIDS in 2010 but never suffered from a single symptom, and my body is holding strong. I hope that sharing my story will help rekindle the hope in others and show them that HIV is not the end, but it can be a reason to begin.

I’m building my brand to further develop my organization so that I can continue to help others.

What three adjectives best describe you?

Inspiring, encouraging and strong.

What is your greatest achievement?

Breaking stereotypes and opening up with my challenges to really help people gain strength.

What is your greatest regret?

None.

What keeps you up at night?

Working on ways to grow and reach the masses.

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

Working on ways to grow and reach the masses.

What is the best advice you ever received?

Stop saying what you’re dying with and live with it.

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

I admire all those who take a stand despite the backlash they have to face. It takes courage to face people.

What drives you to do what you do?

Love.

What is your motto?

“I will do what I can when I can while I can."

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

My phone.

If you could be any animal, what would you be? And why?

A dragon because they dwell high in the mountains and protect those they love without hesitation.