I Was Born with HIV, But I Refused to Let It Silence Me
By Nabukeera Doreen
April 10, 2026
I was born into a story I did not choose, but one I have learned to tell with power.
Twenty-six years ago, before I could speak my name, I was already navigating a world shaped by HIV. My mother carried both me and the virus, and in a limited-resource setting in Uganda, survival was [read more]
But I’m Still Here…
The Bravery of Living with HIV for Over 40 Years
March 24, 2026
By Joanna LaBelle
My journey started with a positive diagnosis for HIV in 1983. It left me thinking I was going to die tomorrow.
Stigma said if you were HIV+ that you were going to die. Society was confirming that I was going to die, too, and people were actually dying everywhere from the disease. I was thinking I was next.
I was lost trying to seek solutions, and I chose to get high with [read more]
Not on the Syllabus: STIs on College Campuses
March 23, 2026
By Brielle Collins
In the midst of exams, situationships, and extracurriculars, the last thing a college student wants to hear back from a doctor is: you have a sexually transmitted infection (STI). Alongside the possible physical discomfort and somewhat awkward conversation with your physician to discuss the diagnosis, there is the need to have a conversation with your partner. However, what often also comes along with these responsibilities is carrying the stigma of having an STI, and there really should not be, because most people carrying STIs are [read more]
7 Ways to Practice Safe Sex
May 10, 2025
By: Kamoria Reese
Want to take control of your sexual health? Here are seven simple, effective ways to practice safe sex. Whether you’re in a committed relationship or exploring new experiences, these tips empower you to stay safe without sacrificing pleasure. [read more]
5 things to Do if you Think You Contracted HIV or a STD
May 1, 2025
By: Kamoria Reese
If you’ve ever had a scare about HIV or an STD, you’re not alone. Prevention is the best way to stay confident and clear of your status, but knowing what to do when you have doubts can make all the difference. Acting quickly and responsibly not only protects your health, but also the well-being of others. These [read more]
Reflecting on Another Successful International Conference on Stigma
February 7, 2026
As the new year begins, it is always a good time to reflect on the positive aspects of the last year. For those working to end stigma, the International Conference on Stigma is an integral part of those efforts.
The 16th Annual International Conference on Stigma was a hybrid conference held from November 18-20, 2025. With two days virtual and one day in-person at Howard University Hospital in Washington, D.C., about three hundred people participated [read more]
The Overwhelming Concept of Contraception
By Brielle Collins
January 26, 2026
Entering college, the decision of whether or not to get on birth control loomed over me. There were endless options and, most importantly, pages of seemingly threatening side effects that felt like they would alter my life. Overall, navigating sexual health and wellness as a woman gets unnecessarily complicated, incredibly overwhelming, and completely impossible.
You don’t want to get pregnant, but sometimes you don’t want to rely solely on a condom. You start weighing your options, scrolling through TikTok, Googling late at night, and talking to friends about the potential side [read more]
Dating Life as a College Student – Episode Three
By: Kamoria Reese
July 9, 2025
In my new audio blog series, I sit down with fellow college students to explore how they navigate the complexities of dating. They candidly share their safety strategies, the challenges they encounter, and what they seek in a partner. Each conversation offers practical advice and concludes with participants describing their dating lives in just three words. Together, these stories provide relatable insights and support for anyone navigating the modern dating landscape.
In this interview, I spoke with Tay, a college sophomore [read more]
Why I Chose the Wellness Space: My Journey Through Shame, Stigma, and HIV Advocacy
By Karla Scipio, RN, MPH
May 29, 205
I didn’t just choose wellness. Wellness chose me—through pain, purpose, and powerful moments that shaped my calling. I graduated from nursing school during a time when HIV was still surrounded by fear and ignorance. We learned about gonorrhea and syphilis, but trichomoniasis and chlamydia were barely mentioned. HIV was whispered about, if mentioned at all.
I became a nurse, because I almost died during childbirth. That near-death experience shifted my life’s direction. I didn’t want to diagnose others from afar. I wanted [read more]
Dating Life as a College Student – Episode One
By: Kamoria Reese
May 25, 2025
In this new audio blog series, I interview fellow college students to learn how they stay safe dating and the biggest concerns they face. I hear honest insights into the challenges of dating in college and what they desire in a partner. They also offer practical advice and describe their dating lives in just three words. Together, their experiences and perspectives offer valuable insight, support and relatability for anyone dating in today’s world.
The first interview is with Ashley, a college [read more]
Dating Life as a College Student – Episode Two
By: Kamoria Reese
June 4, 2025
In this newly launched audio blog series, I engage with fellow university students to delve into their approaches to safe dating and the primary concerns they encounter. They share candid reflections on the complexities of college dating and describe the qualities they seek in a partner. Additionally, they provide advice and describe their dating experiences in just three words. Together, their narratives offer meaningful insights, support, and a sense of connection for anyone navigating the modern dating landscape.
The second interview [read more]
My Empowering Experience Working on the Empowerment Grant
By: Kamoria Reese
July 10, 2025
I am a sophomore majoring in Biology on the Pre-Med track, and I want to share my journey working with the Empowerment Grant this spring semester. This opportunity not only gave me professional experience, but also personal growth that I truly value.
While working on this grant, I’ve gained a lot of valuable skills. I learned how to manage my time more effectively, take constructive criticism with an open mind and, most importantly, I learned not to be afraid to speak up. Looking [read more]
When the White Coat Changes: Lessons from a Transition in HIV Care
By Afrekete*
July 3, 2025
Recently, when my trusted doctor retired, it stirred emotions that I was not prepared for. As a Black woman aging with HIV, losing a provider who had become part of my healing journey felt like a gut punch, because I did not always have compassionate care.
After I was first diagnosed, I was under the care of a highly regarded White male doctor. His reputation was stellar, but for more than three years, I never reached undetectable. Every month, my labs T-cell count hovered between 365–400, and [read more]
When A Relationship Ends…Questions and Worries Begin
By Tia Camille
August 20, 2025
I grew up in the 1970s, and my world was surrounded by images, stories, movies, television shows and real-life married women. For me, and most children of that time, the way of the world trained us to think marriage was the pinnacle point of love. Without it, you’d question whether you really ever found it.
The problem? No one ever really talked about the part when marriages don’t work like mine. Facing the final proceedings in my divorce in a few weeks means this relationship that lasted more than [read more]
Understanding the State of Black Women and HIV in the United States
June 4, 2024
Understanding the connections between Black women and HIV remains important today. Despite advances in treatment and medications, continued conversations and education are still needed as Black women continue to face significant disparities in HIV diagnoses and outcomes in the United States.
According to the CDC, in 2023 19% of those diagnosed with HIV were female. A closer look at the statistics shows a different picture for Black women. They accounted for 50% of HIV diagnoses, but are only 13% of the female U.S. population. They also had [read more]
Could PrEP be the key to Reducing Your HIV Exposure?
September 23, 2025
If you’ve ever wondered if there is another way to protect yourself from contracting HIV besides condoms, there is an option. PrEP, or Pre-exposure prophylaxis, is a preventive treatment for individuals at high risk of HIV infection, and it’s an option worth exploring.
Your first question is probably does it work? When PrEP medication is taken consistently, it can not only reduce the risk of contracting HIV from sexual exposure by about 99%, but it can also decrease the likelihood of contracting HIV by [read more]
Understanding the State of Black Women and HIV in the United States
September 11, 2025
Understanding the connections between Black women and HIV remains important today. Despite advances in treatment and medications, continued conversations and education are still needed as Black women continue to face significant disparities in HIV diagnoses and outcomes in the United States.
According to the CDC, in 2023 19% of those diagnosed with HIV were female. A closer look at the statistics shows a different picture for Black women. They accounted for 50% of HIV diagnoses, but are only 13% of the [read more]
When A Relationship Ends…Questions and Worries Begin
By Tia Camille
I grew up in the 1970s, and my world was surrounded by images, stories, movies, television shows and real-life married women. For me, and most children of that time, the way of the world trained us to think marriage was the pinnacle point of love. Without it, you’d question whether you really ever found it.
The problem? No one ever really talked about the part when marriages don’t work like mine. Facing the final proceedings in my divorce in a few weeks means this relationship that lasted more than [read more]
Are you interested in writing for our blog? Send your idea to Patricia Houston at hupeds@howard.edu. If published, you will receive a gift card.