Who Am I

I am a woman of color; I am who I am!

I am a woman of color, someone's daughter, sister, mother, and someone's friend. I am a human being that was handed a card in life that made me stronger than I thought I could ever be. I am not ever giving up on my dreams or who I can become because of this card. Working to uplift those in the fight against HIV and their diagnosis. Holding their hands along the way and encouraging their spirits to push past the self-stigma.

I am a woman of color: strong and beautiful - all at one time. I let my diagnosis knock me down but never again. Especially in a society where people think I'm supposed to hide and cry.

I am a woman of color

Today I have given my voice meaning so much more than I thought I could. Especially to get through the unfortunate ignorance of others. I am a woman of color, and living with HIV doesn't change who I am at all. It only makes me better at who I am.

Fighting to change the narrative of HIV by educating and putting a face to HIV to show others that it is not a death sentence. Not letting others tell me what or who I should be. I will keep getting up, keep moving, keep smiling, keep showing up, and walk with my head held high despite any and all backlash.

But I also pray that people are listening to my every word.

"Who are you helping?"

When I hear things like "Who are you helping?" Or "You're not moving forward in this fight to help any change at all. It's a waste of time."

I say it's not about me, it's not about me moving forward - it's about that one person who heard my words and listened to me what I had to say that makes all the difference for me.

I know in my soul that this is my purpose and that it pushes me so hard to continue forward. I can feel it in every part of me.

Elevating each other

HIV is not only about one person. It is about everyone because it affects all of us. It's not about who can advocate harder than someone else. It's about getting the work done, and that's it.

Our communities need us; without us, they will be lost. Be their support to uplift each one who needs it. Show love and compassion as you would like others to treat you. Be their soil to help grow them back to the light of happiness.

Remember that what is for you is for you - no one can ever take that from you. Advocates do what they do because it is their purpose, and they have all turned their purpose into a passion to change the world the best way they know how.