KUJICHAGULIA CORNER
From the President and CEO’s Desk
Since our last Black AIDS Update at the end of March, so much has changed, and new developments related to the COVID-19 pandemic are happening at a breakneck pace. Since it began, BAI has pivoted so much of our programs and operations to include a robust response to COVID-19 while not straying from our core work: ending the HIV epidemic among Black people. What’s been increasingly clear amidst all this, though, is that there will be no going back to ‘normal.’ “Normal” has resulted in vast health disparities and medical racism for Black people that COVID-19 is exacerbating; “normal” has resulted in a staggering incarceration rate that COVID has taken advantage of; “normal” has resulted in the estimate that if trends continue, soon 1 in 2 Black MSM will have HIV; “normal” has resulted in the threat of HIV for Black women and Black trans folks being completely overlooked. Clearly, we won’t be going back to ‘normal’ – nor do we want to. But how do we ensure the ‘new normal’ works for everyone, and leaves no one behind?
In the past two months, BAI has led a webinar series on Black health during COVID-19 and how we can remake our world and systems to be better for Black people after COVID (and we were blown away by the response for one of our recent ones which had over 1,200 registrants!). Our staff has been working virtually and revising our work plans integrating ending the HIV epidemic among Black folks, organizing & advocating with Black people living with HIV, reducing the spread of COVID-19 among Black people, and envisioning a future without the systemic racism and other oppressions that have exacerbated COVID and HIV’s impact on Black people. What all this will mean for the future of Black social justice movements and the HIV movement is constantly evolving, but BAI has been and will continue to be there at the forefront.
BAI wants to make sure you have the latest, most up-to-date information to stay healthy. In the coming two weeks, watch your email and BAI’s social media for an announcement of a critical, powerful new speakers series. We will additionally be continuing our webinar series on Black health during COVID, and we will post details about that on our website and social media. This week our National team has begunn hosting regional and local BTAN townhalls with our We The People campaign – BAI and BTAN chapters are hosting virtual townhalls for Mississippi, Alabama and Charlotte, and will be hosting virtual townhalls for Detroit, Chicago, Baton Rouge, Indiana, Baltimore and Florida beginning next week. Check the link below to sign up and share the word.
Finally, during this time, our team continues to grow. We are excited to share with you the latest #blackgirlmagic that is joining BAI – get to know our new staff members below. We are still hiring so please check out our careers page if you want to be a part of our rapidly growing team.
COVID-19 has disrupted all of our lives, but we are determined to continue to do what’s best for Black people. We will not leave you hanging. Dig into this newsletter to get a better idea of the work that we’re doing for us and by us. And as always, follow us on social media @blackaids to keep up with our work on a day-to-day basis.
