April Action Report

Actions From Members

• Welcome New Coalition Member: The Park on Calder (Houston Chapter)
  
• On April 2, B Brands hosted 500 attendees at the 2nd Annual AUC Protect The Culture Sexual Health Summit at Spelman College in honor of National Youth HIV Awareness Day. The Summit was a collaboration between B Holding Group Foundation, Atlanta University Center schools (Spelman College, Morehouse College, Clark Atlanta University, Morehouse CASA, and Morehouse College Residence Hall Association), and local public and private stakeholders to address the disproportionate impact of HIV and sexually transmitted infections on young Black people, particularly HBCU students. Local celebrities and artists as well as community organizations SisterLove, A Vision 4 Hope, Westcare and the Let's Stop HIV campaign were involved, ensuring a comprehensive and impactful event. Sponsors included Coalition members Gilead Sciences and ViiV Healthcare. Check out the video highlights from the events at Spelman and Morehouse.

Action From the Coalition

• Last month, together with OUT Georgia Business Alliance, we hosted the first chapter meeting of Atlanta Business Action to End HIV. The hybrid meeting brought together leaders from Ash Wellness, Avita Care Solutions, B Brand, CVS Health, Gilead Sciences, EMD Serono, Mercer, MISTR, Molecular Testing Labs, ViiV Healthcare, Walgreens and Walmart, as well as our four new Atlanta HIV Community Advisory Council members: Dazon Dixon Diallo, Founder and President of SisterLove; Jeff Graham, Executive Director of Georgia Equality; Princess Jauan Durbin, a ViiV consultant and NMAC fellow (among other roles); and Ja’Mel Ware, Project Manager of ThriveSS. It was an inspiring meeting and we were able to lay the groundwork for more actions and collaboration to come. You can register to attend the Q2 Atlanta Chapter meeting on Wednesday, May 22, 2-3 p.m. ET (virtual only).

• Several members joined the Coalition’s first HIV Testing Cohort meeting on March 27 to examine the barriers to expanding HIV testing and explore ways this cohort can collaborate to overcome some of those barriers. Ash Wellness, Avita Care Solutions, CVS Health, Healthvana, MISTR, Molecular Testing Labs and OraSure Technology, together with our strategic partner the Elton John AIDS Foundation, convened for an enthusiastic discussion. A small planning group has formed and will meet later this month to strategize the cohort’s next steps. More to come soon!

• At the 80th Presidential Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS meeting, Coalition Director Mario Harper provided public comment, sharing the work of the coalition and the vision for how the private sector can be a catalyst for achieving the ambitious goals outlined in the National HIV/AIDS Strategy. Take a look!

Opportunities For Action

• The Health Action Alliance is hosting a National Employers Summit on Thursday, April 25, 2-3 p.m. ET titled Cultivating Health Equity in the Modern Workplace. The virtual event will assemble experts to examine what it means to address health equity in the workplace, why it’s good for business, and how to get started. We will also look at how addressing HIV in the workplace can serve as a model for addressing other health disparities. We hope you can join! Please register and share the event with your network.

• Do you know how your company will recognize National HIV Testing Day on June 27? Register to attend our National HIV Testing Day Workshop on Thursday, May 16 from 2-3 p.m. ET to explore how you can take action leading up to and on June 27. You can get a jumpstart on planning by exploring our National HIV Testing Day Playbook.

HIV in the News

• The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released a Fact Sheet on the Potential National Coverage Determination (NCD) for Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) Using Antiretroviral Drugs to Prevent HIV, CMS.gov (April 15).‍‍‍
• HIV crisis in Atlanta is made worse by racial disparities in treatment, The Atlanta Journal Constitution (April 16).

Leading By Example

“Leading By Example” is a monthly series from U.S. Business Action to End HIV highlighting inspiring business leaders accelerating progress toward an end to the HIV epidemic in the U.S. Read Marcus’s complete profile here.

‍

Marcus Wilson
‍Senior Director Community Engagement and Patient Advocacy, U.S. Virology,
Gilead Sciences

‍

Please share a brief description about you and your current role:

I currently serve as the Senior Director of Community Engagement and Patient Advocacy, U.S. Virology, at Gilead Sciences. I’ve spent more than two decades involved in efforts to end the HIV epidemic and advance health equity globally. I’ve also worked with national advocacy organizations to protect patient and physician choice, promoting equity in healthcare, and expanding access to life-saving therapies. I currently serve on the boards of AIDS United, ONYX National and Deep South, and LLC. Outside of my professional commitments, I enjoy international travel, quality time with family and friends, and volunteering in my community. While a native of Detroit, Michigan, I currently reside in Orlando, Florida, with my partner, Steven.

How do you hope to see the U.S. Business Action to End HIV and coalition members contributing toward an end to HIV in the U.S.?

The coalition members have a unique opportunity of addressing HIV in different ways.

For instance, fostering healthy workforces. U.S. businesses can contribute to ending HIV by implementing comprehensive workplace wellness programs that include HIV education, prevention, testing and support services for employees.

Business can also support health equity by prioritizing initiatives that address disparities in HIV prevention and care and ensuring equitable access to resources and services for all individuals, regardless of socioeconomic status or background.

U.S. businesses can also play a vital role in improving the communities where they operate by supporting local HIV prevention, treatment and support initiatives, investing in healthcare infrastructure and collaborating with community organizations.

And last but not least, businesses should allocate resources and funding toward HIV initiatives as part of their overall commitment to employee wellness, recognizing the importance of addressing HIV as a public health priority.

What personally motivated you to become more involved in working in HIV?

My personal involvement in working in HIV is deeply rooted in various motivating factors.

Firstly, witnessing the devastating impact of HIV/AIDS on friends and loved ones has been a significant driving force. The loss I experienced fueled a strong desire to take action and contribute to ending the epidemic, ensuring that others do not have to endure similar tragedies.

Additionally, the opportunity to make a meaningful difference in the lives of those affected by HIV has been a guiding principle in my career choice. Whether through advocacy, awareness campaigns or direct support services, working in HIV allows me to actively participate in efforts to improve prevention, treatment and support for individuals and communities affected by the virus.

Furthermore, my personal experience as someone living with HIV has amplified my determination to work toward ending the epidemic, not only for my own well-being but also for others facing similar challenges. This combination of personal loss, the desire to make a difference, and firsthand experience drives my dedication to this important cause.

Read Marcus's Complete Profile

Coming Up

• National Employers Summit: Cultivating Health Equity in the Modern Workplace (virtual)‍
  • Thursday, April 25, 2-3 p.m. ET: Register‍
• Asembia Conference Panel (Las Vegas)‍
  • Tuesday, April 30, 2 p.m. PT: Coalition Director Mario Harper is participating in Walmart's panel together with Elton John AIDS Foundation and the Virginia Board of Pharmacy about expanding scope of practice in community pharmacies. Let us know if you will be at the conference - we would love to connect.‍
• National HIV Testing Day Workshop for Employers (virtual)
  • ‍Thursday, May 16, 2-3 p.m. ET: Register‍
• Q2 Atlanta Chapter Meeting (virtual)
  • ‍Wednesday, May 22, 12-1 p.m. ET: Register‍
• National HIV Testing Day
  • ‍Thursday, June 27
• ‍Q2 National Coalition Meeting (virtual)
  • ‍Thursday, June 13, 2-3 p.m. ET: Register

Thank you for your commitment and leadership. Let's keep up the momentum!