Check-in & breakfast.

HIV in the South Poster Session

Discussion and posters on HIV in the South by state.

Hot buffet-style breakfast will be available.

Room: Main Reception Hall

This foundational session will set the stage for the Academy by providing an overview of HIV in the South today. Following a brief welcome from the Southern AIDS Coalition, an expert provider will walk through the latest data on HIV trends, disparities, and health outcomes across Southern states. The discussion will highlight where progress has been made, where gaps persist, and what these realities mean for policymakers tasked with shaping effective, equitable responses. Participants will leave with a clear baseline understanding of the epidemic’s scope and the opportunities for state leadership moving forward.

Welcome:

• Will Ramirez, MPA, Director of Public Policy & Advocacy, Southern AIDS Coalition

By the Data:

• Dr. Christa Nevin, Assistant Professor, Pediatrics, University of Alabama Birmingham

Room: Main Reception Hall

This plenary will highlight how strategic investments at both the federal and state levels strengthen communities and improve the HIV and STI response across the South. A diverse panel of leaders will share best practices and success stories from across the country. Together, they will explore how states can leverage resources, foster bipartisan collaboration, and apply proven strategies to build healthier, more resilient communities. Participants will gain insights into practical approaches that can inform state action and advance effective, sustainable responses to HIV and other pressing public health challenges.

Moderator:

• Darnell Barrington, MPH Senior Program Analyst, NACCHO

Panelists:

• Elizabeth Torrance, MPH, Director of Policy & Advocacy, AIDS Alabama
• Diane Duke, CEO and President, Friends for All
• Rep. Venton Jones, MS, Texas House of Representatives, District 100

Room: Main Reception Hall

Refreshments will be available.

Room: Lounge Bar

Breakout: Strengthening HIV Prevention and Access Across the South

This breakout session will provide an in-depth look at HIV prevention efforts in the South with a focus on expanding access to PrEP. The discussion will cover the fundamentals of PrEP access and funding, explore data such as the PrEP-to-Need ratio, and highlight key policy developments shaping prevention in the region. Case studies will include recent legislative efforts such as Mississippi’s prior authorization bill and Louisiana’s successful pharmacist prescribing law. Featuring perspectives from policy experts, advocates, and pharmacy leadership, this session will equip participants with practical knowledge and strategies to strengthen prevention and reduce barriers across Southern states.

Moderator:

• Dr. Adrienne Simmons, Director, Government Affairs, Policy Advocacy, and Alliances, Gilead Sciences

Speakers:

• Aisha Laws, Chief Strategist, A LawStrategy (Virtual Attendance)
• John Meade Jr., MPH, Senior Program Manager: Policy, AVAC
• Dr. Anthony Pudlo CEO, Tennessee Pharmacists Association

Room: Boardroom

Breakout: Equipping Youth for Healthy Futures

This session will examine how states can strengthen opportunities for young people to lead healthier, more successful lives through practical approaches to sexual health education and HIV prevention. With a focus on ensuring resources reach those who need them most, including young women of color, the discussion will center on how tools like PrEP and age-appropriate education can help reduce health risks, support family well-being, and build stronger communities. Panelists will share effective strategies and policy approaches that promote personal responsibility, expand access to prevention, and equip the next generation with knowledge to make informed choices for their futures. 

Moderator:

• Judith Montenegro, Latinos in the South, Latino Commission on AIDS

Speakers:

• Christina Clark-Okarmus, MPP Executive Director, Alabama Campaign for Adolescent Sexual Health
• Grabriela Hernandez, JD, Lead Movement Lawyer, Sister Love
• Dr. Jasper Kennedy, Medical Director, West Alabama Women’s Center

Room: Classroom

Breakout: Crafting the Message: Communications That Move Policy

This session is designed specifically for advocates seeking to enhance their communications strategies to effectively engage bipartisan audiences. Participants will learn techniques for crafting clear, respectful, and compelling messages that resonate across the political spectrum. The discussion will focus on how to frame HIV-related policy issues in ways that align with shared values such as personal responsibility, fiscal prudence, and community well-being, ultimately building broader support for impactful and sustainable policy change.

Speakers:

• Christina Adeleke, JD, Senior Policy Manager, AIDS United
• Maxx Boykin, Campaign Manager, PrEP4All

Room: Classroom

Breakout: Policymaker Breakout: Solutions for the Statehouse: Policy Conversations for Legislators

This session is designed for lawmakers seeking effective strategies to advance HIV-related policies that garner bipartisan support in their home states. Participants will explore practical approaches to building coalitions across party lines, communicating shared priorities, and navigating local and federal policymaking dynamics. The discussion will emphasize how to craft inclusive, results-driven policy initiatives that reflect community needs while appealing to a broad spectrum of stakeholders, ultimately driving meaningful progress on HIV prevention and care.

Moderator:

• Rep. Venton Jones, MS, Texas House of Representatives, District 100

Room: Boardroom

This plenary brings together legislative and advocacy leaders working to strengthen the HIV response through collaboration and shared purpose. A local legislator joins national public health and policy experts to discuss practical strategies for advancing prevention, care, and equitable access. Panelists will highlight how bipartisan partnerships, data-driven policymaking, and community engagement can translate ideas into achievable outcomes. Attendees will leave with insight into how cooperation across various levels of government can drive sustained progress against HIV and strengthen public health efforts nationwide.

Moderator:

• Will Ramirez, MPA, Director of Policy and Advocacy, Southern AIDS Coalition

Speakers:

• Dorcas Young Griffin, Deputy Chief Administrative Officer, Shelby County Government
• Michael Elizabeth, Director of Public Health Policy, Equality Federation
• Maxx Boykin, Campaign Manager, PrEP4All 

Room: Main Reception Hall

Refreshments will be available.

This session will focus on the intersection of the justice system and HIV, highlighting the urgent need to modernize and reform HIV-related laws. Panelists will explore the history and impact of HIV criminalization statutes, share lived experiences and expert perspectives and discuss actionable strategies for lawmakers and advocates to update or repeal outdated policies. The conversation will emphasize bipartisan approaches to promote justice, reduce stigma, and ensure that laws reflect current science and public health best practices, helping to build safer and more equitable communities across the South.

Moderator:

• Will Ramirez, MPA Director, Public Policy & Advocacy, SAC

Speakers:

Opening remarks from Delegate Kristopher Fair, Maryland House of Delegates, District 3A

• Jada Hicks, JD, Senior PJP Attorney, Center for HIV Law and Policy
• Michael Elizabeth, Director of Public Health Policy, Equality Federation
• Phillip Westry, JD, Executive Director, Free State Justice

Room: Main Reception Hall

Supporting Communities Through Housing, Transportation, and Public Safety

This session will explore how access to essential wraparound services – such as stable housing, reliable transportation, and public safety – plays a critical role in improving health outcomes and well-being for people affected by HIV. Panelists will discuss the importance of integrating these support systems into local and state responses, highlight successful funding strategies, and share practical approaches to strengthening service delivery. Participants will leave with a deeper understanding of how investing in these foundational supports not only benefits individuals but also builds stronger, healthier communities across the South.

Moderator:

• Will Ramirez, MPA, Director, Public Policy & Advocacy, SAC

Speakers:

• Matt Martin, Associate Director, NC AIDS Action Network
• Rita Harcrow, Director of Home TA, National HIV/AIDS Housing Coalition
• Liz Kaplan, JD, Director of Health Care Access, Harvard Health Law & Policy Clinic

Room: Classroom

Breakout: How We Will End the HIV Epidemic: Innovations in Testing, Telehealth, and Long-Acting Treatments

This session will spotlight groundbreaking advancements that are shaping the next phase of the HIV response in the South. Panelists will discuss innovations in rapid and community-based testing, the expansion of telehealth to increase access to care, and the latest developments in long-acting treatments. The discussion will highlight successes, challenges, and opportunities for integrating these tools, with a focus on practical strategies to help states accelerate progress toward ending the HIV epidemic. Attendees will gain insight into how embracing innovation can help break down barriers, reach more people, and support healthier communities statewide.

Moderator:

• Dr. DeAnn Gruber Former Director, Bureau of Infectious Disease, Louisiana Office of Public Health

Speakers:

• Dr. Alftan Dyson, Head, US Strategic Medical Partnerships for ViiV Healthcare
• Danny Harris, ThM, Former Executive Director of Engaging Arkansas Communities

Room: Boardroom

Refreshments will be available.

Room: Lounge Bar

This final session will celebrate the power of faith and community leadership in advancing the response to HIV across the South. A distinguished faith leader will share experiences and strategies for building bridges, reducing stigma, and mobilizing faith communities for meaningful advocacy and support. The session will also include closing remarks from the host organization, highlighting key takeaways and next steps for collective action. Attendees will leave inspired by the critical role that values-driven leadership and community engagement play in creating lasting change.

Opening & Closing Remarks

Faith Speaker:

• Rev. Carmarion Anderson-Harvey, Minister for Congregational Leadership, United Church of Christ

Room: Main Reception Hall