Faith forward to end the HIV epidemic by 2030
“Engaging Faith Communities to End HIV Criminalization: From Data to Policy”
Thursday, February 20, 2025, 3:00-4:00 pm Eastern Time
Via – Microsoft Teams
Join the meeting at 3pm Eastern (U.S.)
Meeting ID: 249 764 264 720
Passcode: Sr2Bp9TH
Dial in by phone
615-601-3460
Meeting/Conference ID: 942 701 068#
Just ahead of HIV is Not a Crime Awareness Day, this online, virtual conversation seeks to engage faith communities on the issue of HIV criminalization now that the new White House administration has taken office. The panel discussion will focus on existing and proposed policies that target people most impacted by HIV as their protections are being stripped away and what faith communities can do to combat harmful policies that don’t align with medical and social science data. The webinar is presented by the U.S. HIV & AIDS Faith Coalition, in partnership with the InterCFAR Faith & Spirituality Research Collaborative.
Panel:
Moderator: Dr. Raja Gopal Bhattar (pronouns: they/them/theirs) is a nationally-recognized higher education leader, advocate, diversity, equity and belonging strategist, organization development facilitator, transformative leadership coach, keynote speaker, consultant and author. Dr. Bhattar comes from a lineage of Hindu spiritual leaders and is a proud queer and gender non-conforming person of color, 1.5 generation immigrant, first-generation college student, and spiritual practitioner. They approach this work with a passion for sustainable organizational impact and a bold vision of equity and access through social change. Raja currently serves as the Program Manager for the Social Justice and Career Advancement Academy for ACCCA.
Jada Hicks, Senior PJP Attorney, (she/her) earned her Juris Doctor from North Carolina Central University School of Law. While at NCCU she was certified in Civil Rights and Constitutional Law. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Criminology from North Carolina State University. Prior to joining CHLP, she served as an inaugural Judicial Fellow for the Administrative Office of the Courts. While there she provided independent and confidential legal research and writing support to the more than 370 judges in North Carolina’s Superior and District Courts. Previously, Jada worked as an Assistant District Attorney for the Pitt County District Attorney’s Office. She prosecuted cases ranging from drug offenses to DWIs.
Jasmine Tasaki is a staunch advocate and community organizer for transgender women and issues affecting trans rights, health, and housing. Through her work, intersectionality has become very important to her. Jasmine has worked as a PrEP navigator, an HIV counselor, Sexual Health Educator, and Cultural Competency Facilitator for the Memphis Police Department. She was also the first leader of trans experience in the Memphis Urban League of Young Professionals (Health Literacy and Advocacy Chairperson), and an ambassador for the Black AIDS Institute. Ms. Tasaki is the founder and executive director of the first trans-led organization, WeCareTN, in Memphis. Ms. Tasaki is also the co-managing executive director at Black and Pink.
Robert Suttle, M.S., is a consultant to advocacy organizations and a thought leader confronting critical issues such as HIV criminalization, stigma, and discrimination, with a focus on equity and social justice. Robert chairs The Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation Council of Justice Leaders and is a Global Advisory Panel (GAP) member of the HIV Justice Network. He is also a co-founder of The Sero Project. Additionally, Robert authored the foreword for Alexander McClelland’s book, “Criminalized Lives: HIV and Legal Violence.”
Lauryn Whitney, In 2020 Lauryn Whitney made a video in the wake of George Floyd’s murder, daring the world to question stigmas on black male bodies. This video “Ask Yourself” went viral, reaching millions of people around the world. In Spring 2021 Lauryn launched Authentic Voices Global Inc. a Platform built on storytelling, Community, and Social Change. She is a proud graduate of Howard University (BFA) and California Institute of the Arts (MFA). “I am a woman, a black woman, I am a mother, a black mother, to a black boy. My life is dedicated to bringing change today to shape a better brighter tomorrow. Our breath depends on it.” – Lauryn Whitney
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