Dr. Orisha “Dr. O.” Bowers led the charge for many people in the Memphis area to become involved in HIV advocacy and is a spiritual mother to many. Now, she’s focused on harm reduction and teaches us how to focus this work on humanity and meet people where they are. 

Dr. O. is the executive director of the National Harm Reduction Coalition. When Dr. O. stepped into HIV and harm reduction work, she didn’t know much about the virus. But as she walked alongside people in the community, she learned how to meet people heart-to-heart. Dr. O. shares how she now fights for young people and the people who don’t have a voice. Marvell and Dr. O. talk about what it takes to do true harm reduction work, how to coach people to help them find answers, and bring them with you on the path to liberation. 

For more harm reduction resources, visit the NHRC Resource page. 

For more information and resources, visit our website. 

Fighting HIV has been the life work of Jesse Milan Jr. Now, Jesse’s making sure that every organization has the resources they need to address the epidemic. Host Marvell Terry III talks with Jesse Milan Jr., president and CEO of AIDS United, to get insight on how AIDS activists in the South can be involved in making an impact in their local communities. 

When it comes to HIV work, localized decisions are often the most important decisions made, as is helping the decision makers to understand AIDS on a personal level. Jesse tells us about current policy initiatives in the South we need to be aware of, how we can get younger activists more involved in policy decisions, and how organizations can navigate policy and grantmaking. 

For more information and resources, visit our website. 

Presented by the Southern HIV Impact Fund at AIDS United, Reimagine the Response is a new conversational podcast centered on the response to the HIV epidemic in the U.S. South. The podcast is hosted by Marvell Terry II, senior program manager of the Southern HIV Impact Fund. 

Terry engages in insightful conversations with activists, community leaders, stakeholders and elected government officials about their response to the HIV epidemic in their communities across the South. Our listeners will hear from leaders what informs and sustains their work, and how they have responded to the HIV epidemic.