09/18/2026
Today I had the honor of standing with Phill Wilson, a man whose work has shaped my life and the lives of countless people across this country.Thank you, Phill, for being in this world and for encouraging me to complete your program at The Black Premier Training Program in 2004. That experience changed me. It strengthened my voice, sharpened my purpose, and prepared me to serve my community with truth, courage, and compassion.
Seeing you today
not just on TV, not just in articles, but in person reminded me of the power of leadership rooted in love and accountability. You supported me through one of the most extensive and transformative trainings of my life, and I carry those lessons with me every day.Phill Wilson is a genius, an icon, an activist, and a trailblazer in public health. He is a nationally recognized HIV/AIDS educator, advocate, and policy leader whose work has transformed how HIV prevention, treatment, and awareness reach Black communities across the United States.Diagnosed with HIV in the early 1980s, he turned personal experience into powerful advocacy. As founder and former CEO of the Black AIDS Institute, he built the nation’s only think tank dedicated solely to ending the HIV epidemic in Black America. His leadership pushed forward culturally relevant education, community mobilization, and policy change that still shapes the field today.He has trained thousands of educators, clinicians, and community leaders including me. His work centers on science, truth, stigma reduction, and empowering the communities most affected. His clarity, has gave me strength for the journey.
