Meet The U=U Ambassadors Who Are Changing the World

The Prevention Access Campaign is the organizational force behind the consensus that undetectable equals untransmittable (U=U). Leading activists, growing voices, and renowned healthcare professionals have joined PAC in educating and empowering HIV communities and health care providers.

The U=U campaign’s current ambassadors (some profiled in this issue and others listed below) have gone through extensive training in the science that proves those who have undetectable viral loads cannot transmit HIV, as well as in strategies for communicating and advocating around that stigma-busting message.

To learn more or to connect with the ambassadors for community events, speaking engagements, and more, visit PreventionAccess.org/ambassadors.

Arianna Lint, Fort Lauderdale, Fla. An outspoken trans activist living with HIV, Lint is the executive director of Arianna’s Center, a South Florida community-based organization providing advocacy, education, and training; case management; and linkage to care for trans people. Originally from Lima, Peru, she is also part of the National Board of PositivelyTrans and The Well Project.

Anselmo Fonseca, San Juan, Puerto Rico A long-term survivor diagnosed nearly 30 years ago, Fonseca is a gay Latino whose work was recognized by the Obama administration as one of the 350 Most Influential National Advocates during the launch of the National HIV/AIDS Strategic Plan 2010. With over 20 years in the field, Fonseca is also a Ryan White Part B Community co-chair where he mentors poz representatives. He is also the cofounder of the Coalition Cero HIV PR.

Deondre Moore, Houston, Texas Since being diagnosed at 19 years old, Moore has dedicated his life to help his community achieve a vital education on HIV and prevention. He has also served as ambassador for Greater Than AIDS as well as the SpeakOut advisory committee. Recently, he became the first out HIV-positive person in Texas to announce his candidacy for state representative.

Luis Mares, New York City As director of community mobilization programs at the Latino Commission on AIDS, Mares plans, develops, and implements national campaigns for National Latino AIDS Awareness Day and National Hispanic Hepatitis Awareness Day. He also plays a vital role for the New York State Department of Health AIDS Institute, the AIDS United Community Mobilization Subcommittee, and the NYC AIDS World Day Event Planning Committee, among many others.

Maria Mejia, Fort Lauderdale, Fla. The current co-chair of the women and minorities outreach for Dab the AIDS BEAR project, Mejia also coauthored the book From a Warrior’s Passion and Pain, a real-life account of her 30-plus year battle with HIV. She sits on the board of directors for CANN and Arianna’s Center, and is currently representing the state of Florida as an advisor and consultant for Gilead’s Compass Initiative.

Roscoe Boyd, New York City, N.Y. As executive vice president of external relations at SLAY Media House, a leading online entertainment destination for queer and trans people of color, Boyd is an expert in leadership, sales, public speaking, and education. A Detroit native, he has worked with various organizations like Callen-Lorde Community Health Center, the HIV Stops With Me Campaign, and New York State Department of Health.

Wanona “Nunu” Thomas, Atlanta, Ga. Thomas has used her HIV diagnosis to inspire people across the country through Live In Your Truth, a Milwaukee-based nonprofit she founded that focuses on empowering and inspiring individuals in recovery from diagnoses of life-changing conditions. A writer for the blog A Girl Like Me with The Well Project, Thomas is also an ambassador for Youth Across Borders and is an HIV expert consultant for Merck.

Yonce Jones, Bronx, New York A vocal trans advocate for nearly 15 years, Jones is part of Harlem United and AIDS United. She began her HIV activism as a teenager while working a summer job in the basement of a community center, and continues her advocacy today. “I am not a disease, I am simply Yonce from the Bronx.”