Choose an activist
Bridget Sibanda
Bridget created and served as president of the Anti AIDS club at her high school. She created this club to raise awareness of HIV and AIDS among teenagers. Her work was mostly aimed at her fellow teenagers because the age range of 13–19 years is the stage at which people may be unaware about HIV and AIDS.
Age: 19 | Location: Zambia, Africa
The club focused on learning about the causes and prevention of HIV, how HIV affects society, and how people can relate to those who are living with HIV. Her goal was to make herself and her fellow teenagers better decision-makers in terms of HIV and AIDS.
Karli
25, Charleston, SC
Karli joined the Advocates for Youth for the first time this year. She loves speaking to the community about how much HIV/AIDS treatment has advanced.
She was diagnosed with HIV in January 2021, which fueled her passion for advocacy work. Karli hopes to end the stigma surrounding living with HIV/AIDS. She was not educated about it before she got it, so she hopes her
story will help those living without it.
(she/her)
Alex Rodriguez
23, Fort Wayne, IN
Before being diagnosed with HIV, Alex did a few events on his campus. Most of his work involved social media campaigns, as well as in-person events that call attention to misconceptions and stigmas surrounding HIV and AIDS.
Not only does he highlight these stigmas, but he sheds light upon how the stigma causes damage to sex education, LGBTQIA+ individuals, and those living with HIV and AIDS.
Bridget Sibanda
19, Zambia, Africa
Bridget
Karli
Alex
Kalob
He found a great opportunity to amplify his voice through Advocates for Youth, and has been working hand in hand
with other motivated, hardworking activists since then. He’ll continue to spread education and facts surrounding HIV.
He’s a living, breathing example that those who are living with HIV are no less than anyone and are fully capable of leading successful, productive, beautiful lives.
Kalob Gossett
23, Fort Wayne, IN
Kalob's mission is to make HIV and other sexual health topics less taboo, because if we can’t easily talk about these things, then we’ll never be able to end the HIV epidemic. Since 2014, Kalob has focused on reducing HIV stigma, engaging historically underserved communities, increasing access to HIV services, and training the healthcare workforce to better address community needs.
He has contributed towards these efforts as an employee of multiple organizations, as well as dedicating his time and resources to community education outside of his positions, including using his personal social media platforms.
He strives to bring awareness and create a passion for HIV as the older, queer generation once did; as well as promote a message of empowering marginalized communities to live healthier, enhanced lives.
Kalob's mission is to make HIV and other sexual health topics less taboo, because if we can’t easily talk about these things, then we’ll never be able to end the HIV epidemic.
(he/him)
Communities of color are facing the brunt of the HIV epidemic because of the inequities they face daily, and if these are not addressed, then we will never end the HIV epidemic.
It’s become a cliché, but knowledge truly is power. Therefore, to empower our communities he believes we need to equip them with information necessary to allow them to make educated decisions on their healthcare.
"HIV is not just a gay man’s issue. If you’re having sex, of any kind, then you need to be aware of HIV and taking the steps necessary to protect yourself," he says.
"The younger generations need to take it upon themselves to seek out information and ask for certain services. This may include asking your doctor for an HIV test, PrEP, or any other sexual health service."
"It can be awkward, but taking control of your health is essential to keep you and your community healthy. We have the tools to end the HIV epidemic in the US, but it is going to take all of us."
created and served as president of the Anti AIDS club at her high school
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Bridget Sibanda
19, Zambia, Africa
hopes to end the stigma surrounding living with HIV/AIDS
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Bridget Sibanda
19, Zambia, Africa
is shedding light upon how the stigma causes damage to sex education
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Bridget Sibanda
19, Zambia, Africa
is on a mission to make HIV and other sexual health topics less taboo
Learn More
Learn More
19
Zambia, Africa
Age: 19 | Location: Zambia, Africa
25
Charleston, SC
Age: 19 | Location: Zambia, Africa
23
Fort Wayne, IN
Age: 19 | Location: Zambia, Africa
29
Chicago, IL
Karli
Age: 19 | Location: Zambia, Africa
25
Charleston, SC
Karli joined the Advocates for Youth for the first time this year. She loves speaking to the community about how much HIV/AIDS treatment has advanced.
She was diagnosed with HIV in January 2021, which fueled her passion for advocacy work. Karli hopes to end the stigma surrounding living with HIV/AIDS. She was not educated about it before she got it, so she hopes her story will help those living without it.
(she/her)
Learn More
Alex Rodriguez
Age: 19 | Location: Zambia, Africa
23
Fort Wayne, IN
Before being diagnosed with HIV, Alex did a few events on his campus. Most of his work involved social media campaigns, as well as in-person
events that call attention to misconceptions
and stigmas surrounding HIV and AIDS.
Not only does he highlight these stigmas, but he sheds light upon how the stigma causes damage to sex education, LGBTQIA+ individuals, and those
living with HIV and AIDS.
He found a great opportunity to amplify his voice through Advocates for Youth, and has been working hand in hand with other motivated, hardworking activists since then. He’ll continue to spread education and facts surrounding HIV.
He’s a living, breathing example that those who are living with HIV are no less than anyone and
are fully capable of leading successful,
productive, beautiful lives.
Learn More
Kalob Gossett
Age: 19 | Location: Zambia, Africa
29
(he/him)
Chicago, IL
Kalob's mission is to make HIV and other sexual health topics less taboo, because if we can’t easily talk about these things, then we’ll never be able to end the HIV epidemic. Since 2014, Kalob has focused on reducing HIV stigma, engaging historically underserved communities, increasing access to HIV services, and training the healthcare workforce to better address community needs.
He has contributed towards these efforts as an employee
of multiple organizations, as well as dedicating his time and resources to community education outside of his positions, including using his personal social media platforms.
He strives to bring awareness and create a passion for HIV as the older, queer generation once did; as well as promote a message of empowering marginalized communities to live healthier, enhanced lives.
Communities of color are facing the brunt of the HIV epidemic because of the inequities they face daily, and
if these are not addressed, then we will never end the
HIV epidemic.
It’s become a cliché, but knowledge truly is power. Therefore, to empower our communities he believes we need to equip them with information necessary to allow them to make educated decisions on their healthcare.
"It can be awkward, but taking control of your health is essential to keep you and your community healthy. We have the tools to end the HIV epidemic in the US, but it is going to take all of us."