As we step into the second half of 2024, we are filled with a renewed sense of purpose and excitement, ready to embrace the opportunities and challenges ahead. July is a month of significant celebrations and reflections, and we are thrilled to share some special moments, memories and upcoming events with you.

Our word for the month is liberation. And while America celebrated its liberation at the top of the month, many people in America living with HIV/AIDS fight to feel a sense of liberation because of the stigma that exists. On July 21, we recognized Zero HIV Stigma Day. This day is dedicated to raising awareness and eliminating the stigma associated with HIV, fostering a more inclusive and compassionate society. In this edition, we offer three key statistics highlighting the impact of HIV stigma. Feel free to share on your social or in your friend groups. The more we share the facts, the more we can stamp out the stigma.

Life and liberation were in the air as we welcomed mothers and daughters to the inaugural Mothers & Daughters Walk in Her Shoes event on July 16. The space was reserved to capacity and every woman in the room walked away with a new sense of empowerment and freedom to be her authentic self! We are grateful to everyone who participated and made it a resounding success. Your continued support empowers us to make a meaningful impact in the lives of those we serve and drive our mission forward.

Thank you for being a part of the Morehouse School of Medicine SHLI community. Together, we can achieve greater liberation for all!

Meet S. Mandisa Moore-O'Neal

Executive Director, The Center for HIV Law and Policy

S. Mandisa Moore-O’Neal is a Black feminist civil rights attorney, a trained facilitator and a cultural and political strategist based in New Orleans.

Before joining the Center for HIV Law and Policy (CHLP) as Executive Director, she founded the Moore-O’Neal Law Group, a law and policy practice focused on litigation, education and advocacy on HIV decriminalization, family law, employment and public accommodations discrimination and police accountability issues.

At its core, her legal work is best defined as using a Black feminist and abolitionist framework to craft legal strategies that move us closer to liberation. Moore-O’Neal is a founding member of the Louisiana Coalition on Criminalization and Health.

There was a strong sense of sisterhood in the air that you could feel! Sisters from all walks of life gathered together to share, partake in, learn from and grow with each other at the first-ever “Walk in Her Shoes” event at Morehouse School of Medicine on Tuesday, July 16 from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m.

The evening started with a rousing African dance performance by Djoli Kelen, followed by a warm welcome from SHLI Interim Executive Director Dr. Sandra Harris-Hooker. Spoken word artist Grace Waters encouraged attendees to embrace their beauty as Black women and Georgia State Representative Dr. Jasmine Clark supplied food for thought encouraging attendees to take political action.

The highlight of the evening was the fireside chat. Moderated by Morehouse School of Medicine’s Dr. Rhonda Conerly Holliday, each panelist, including mother-daughter advocate duo, Kayla Quimbley (daughter) and Missy Vicks (mother), Atlanta Premier OB/GYN Dr. Tosha Rogers, Founder and Executive Director of Lady BurgAndy Masonia Traylor and HIV advocate Beautifull Devynne, brought a unique message of hope, inspiration, facts and love from their lived experiences.

During the Q&A, each panelist's response was met with applause and affirmation as the audience fully engaged in their stories.

Dr. Standifer closed the event with a recap and thanks to all who participated. However, the panelists, participants and guests stayed long afterward soaking up the warm spirit and love released freely in the room.

Check out the event highlight video below.

There were thousands of people at the 2024 Essence Festival in New Orleans but we spotted one in particular.

We see you, Dr. Standifer! We also see you carrying the blue GeorgiaThrives gift bag at the Xavier booth filled with GeorgiaThrives branded items including a file, a pocket mirror, snuggly socks, a pill box and an HIV test.

3 Stats on the HIV Stigma To Share on Social Media

Zero HIV Stigma Day was July 21 but the end of the day does not bring an end to the stigma. Please download and share these facts on your social media to help us stamp out the stigma. When you post, tag us and use these hashtags and we will acknowledge your support! #StampouttheStigma #MSMSHLI

An estimated 50% of people living with HIV report experiencing some form of discrimination, including being gossiped about, verbally insulted, or physically assaulted due to their HIV status (Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS). The settings for this discrimination vary from healthcare and employment to social interactions. #StampouttheStigma #MSMSHLI

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report that stigma and discrimination contribute significantly to delays in seeking care.Approximately 20% of people living with HIV avoid seeking medical care due to fear of stigma, which can lead to a worsening of health conditions and increase the risk of HIV transmission.

#StampouttheStigma #MSMSHLI

A study published in the "Journal of Behavioral Medicine" found that individuals living with HIV who experience high levels of stigma are three times more likely to suffer from depression compared to those who do not face such stigma. The psychological impact of stigma can severely affect the mental health and quality of life of those living with HIV.

#StampouttheStigma #MSMSHLI

Want more information? Check out our latest blog post that explores the silent costs many in minoritized communities pay every day with mental healthcare avoidance by clicking this link.

Closer Look With Rose Scott: Georgians encouraged to get tested on National HIV Testing Day

Dr. Maisha Standifer sat down with Rose Scott ahead of National HIV Testing Day to talk about our work at Morehouse School of Medicine Satcher Health Leadership Institute to combat the barriers and stigma and encourage everyone to know their status by getting tested.

Listen to the full interview here

The Satcher Health Leadership Institute encourages everyone to get tested and know their status. Click here (pages 37-38) to view a listing of local area testing sites (Source: NIH-funded Center for AIDS Research at Emory University). Together, we can mark another milestone in the Black community's ever-evolving history of better tomorrows and brighter futures.

﻿Check out the event highlight video below.

3 Stats on the HIV Stigma To Share on Social Media

Check out the event highlight video below.