­­For Immediate Release: January 27, 2022

The City of Alexandria will host a National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day Symposium on Saturday, February 4 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Oakland Baptist Church, 3408 King Street, Alexandria, VA 22302. The event will raise awareness of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in Black communities, the efforts to address HIV stigma and ways to prevent new HIV infections.

The event will feature a call to action by Regina Jefferson, Interfaith Community Engagement Coordinator of the Places of Worship Advisory Board (POWAB) of the D.C. Department of Health HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis, STD and TB Administration (DOH HAHSTA).

The event will also feature a “HIV and the Black Community” presentation from Anthony Gutierrez, Community Liaison, Gilead Sciences. Skyler Mackey, Epidemiologist from the Alexandria Health Department, and Deirdre Speaks from The Sero Project, will share additional presentations on HIV stigma, data and prevention.

In addition to speakers, NOVASalud, Inc. will provide confidential HIV testing. Alexandria Health Department staff members will be available to answer questions about HIV infection prevention and testing in Alexandria. Lunch and entertainment will be provided for attendees. 

Alexandria Health Department (AHD) emphasizes the importance of HIV/AIDS awareness in Alexandria. According to data from the Virginia Department of Health, Alexandria’s rate of new HIV diagnoses was about double Virginia’s statewide rate in recent years. Individuals who identify as Black or African American are disproportionately impacted by HIV/AIDS in Alexandria and nationwide.  

National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day is observed annually on February 7 to increase awareness, spark conversations, highlight the work being done to reduce HIV in Black or African American communities in the United States and show support for people with HIV/AIDS in these communities.

Visit alexandriava.gov/Health to register for the virtual symposium and learn more about National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day. Registration is required by February 1.

For inquiries from the news media only, contact Eve Elliott, Alexandria Health Department Communications Officer, at eve.elliott@vdh.virginia.gov or 804.467.5160.

For reasonable disability accommodation, contact nechelle.terrell@vdh.virginia or call 703.746.4934, Virginia Relay 711.

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