Well, I made it to USCHA in Washington DC... I love coming to these conferences because they are so personally beneficial for me as an advocate.
A sister girl is just tryna survive these +/- 100 years that I got and praying for Jesus to come back like they said, cus these people really down here wilding.
HIV cure work is something that is beginning to fascinate me. Having the opportunity to be in spaces where this is the topic of discussion, I have learned so much about the virus.
Sharing my stories and giving courage to others like me who can relate to some of my struggles and victories is a way I can give back to a community that has literally saved my life.
"You have HIV. HIV3 to be exact." That's what they said—HIV3. I didn't even know what that meant... No one explained it. No one softened it.
To anyone who feels stuck, lost, or overlooked: Keep going. Your breakthrough might just be one bold step away.
It all seemed like talk – until it happened... Words could never do this journey justice. But I will try.
Being part of A Girl Like Me isn't just about telling my story. It's about showing someone else what's possible when we finally decide to stop hiding... We are exactly what someone else needs to see.
Living with HIV for over 20 years, Chanica has transformed her personal journey into a powerful platform rooted in service, storytelling, and systemic change.
Art such as Adriana's couture art contributes to creating safe spaces in our HIV community where dignity is restored and fear of stigma is replaced with connection.