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]
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]
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]
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]
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]
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]
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]
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]
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]
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]