"Love the moment and the energy of that moment will spread beyond all boundaries." — Corita Kent

Meet Kayla Quimbley-Young

HIV Policy Manager, Georgia Equality

Kayla Quimbley-Young is a nationally recognized HIV advocate, educator and poet who has transformed her lived experience into a powerful platform for change.

Born with HIV in rural Georgia, she faced early stigma and misinformation, which fueled her commitment to dismantling barriers and uplifting voices often left out of public health conversations.

Renowned for her captivating performances, she has shared the stage with icons such as Common, Patti LaBelle, B.o.B, Sheryl Lee Ralph and Yolanda Adams. Her poetic brilliance resonates deeply, weaving narratives that transcend boundaries and speak to the soul of the human experience. She uses poetry to challenge stigma, educate communities and inspire resilience. Her work has been featured by organizations such as Gilead Sciences and Advocates for Youth where she served as a National Youth HIV and AIDS Awareness Day ambassador.

Offstage, Kayla is a scholar and public health advocate whose work bridges the gap between lived experience and systemic change. Armed with a Master of Public Health and a Bachelor of Science in psychology, she brings a rare and powerful perspective to her work — one shaped not only by education but by navigating the world through the lens of someone whose earliest chapters were written with resilience.

She currently serves as the HIV policy manager at Georgia Equality where she leads initiatives focused on HIV decriminalization, reproductive justice and equitable access to care. Her advocacy extends nationally as one of the youngest members appointed to the Presidential Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS.

Kayla's voice continues to shape the national conversation on HIV, youth empowerment and health equity.

HIV PrEP Talk Webinar Key Takeaways 

Ahead of the May 15 Music for Life: 2025 PrEP Summit, the Satcher Health Leadership Institute at Morehouse School of Medicine, in partnership with Xavier University of Louisiana, hosted a virtual HIV PrEP Talk webinar on April 28 to spark early conversation.

Thank you to the partners who led the discussion, including Lawrence Bryant, PhD, MPH, BSW, RRT; Dr. Samuel Burgess of the Louisiana Office of Public Health; Kayla Quimbley-Young of Georgia Equality; and Leisha McKinley-Beach of the Black Public Health Library.



Attached is a one-pager summarizing the key takeaways from the webinar. Please take a moment to view and share with your networks.

Dr. Maisha Standifer Leads Panel Discussion at the Metro Atlanta Chapter of the National Coalition of 100 Black Women Annual Community Health Fair

On Saturday, May 10, the Metro Atlanta Chapter of the National Coalition of 100 Black Women Inc. hosted its 2025 Annual Community Health Fair at Greenbriar Mall in Atlanta.

The event, held in the mall’s high-traffic common area, offered free health screenings for high blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes and vitamin D deficiencies. Attendees also had access to STD and HIV testing, blood level checks and prostate and mammogram exams.

Dr. Standifer led a compelling panel discussion on health disparities affecting Black women, particularly in accessing care related to HIV. The conversation explored existing barriers and outlined strategies for advancing health equity in Black communities.

Special thanks to the Health Committee of the Metro Atlanta Chapter of the National Coalition of 100 Black Women Inc., who continue to advocate for Black women and girls while promoting equity and leadership in health, education, public policy and economic empowerment.

May 15 Music for Life: 2025 PrEP Summit Recap

It was a powerful day of beats, breakthroughs and bold conversations, including the latest evidence, patient assessment, prescribing practices, monitoring and supportive care for individuals at higher risk of HIV infection, presented by Morehouse School of Medicine and AETC Southeast.

Healthcare professionals across Georgia participated in the PrEP training designed to advance the fight against HIV by equipping providers with up-to-date knowledge and practical skills.

The interactive virtual training featured a panel of respected experts who emphasized PrEP’s role as a powerful prevention strategy in reducing new HIV infections—particularly in communities most at risk.

Participants explored key topics such as patient assessment, prescribing practices, monitoring and supportive care for individuals at higher risk. Presenters also discussed findings from major clinical studies that demonstrate PrEP’s safety and efficacy, reinforcing its importance in HIV prevention strategies nationwide.

In alignment with the Ending the HIV Epidemic (EHE) initiative in the U.S. and Georgia, the training addressed goals for expanding PrEP access and reducing new diagnoses. Barriers to PrEP uptake—such as stigma, access and provider bias—were also examined, along with practical strategies to help providers overcome those challenges in their daily practice.

The training served as a call to action in the broader effort to end the HIV epidemic through equitable access and informed care.

National HIV Testing Day is June 27. Help us spread the word about the importance of self-care and early detection. We've created a few social media posts you can download and share to raise awareness. Show your support by posting on or before June 27. Thank you for being part of the movement!

Knowing your status is self-care and health care. Getting tested is fast, free or low-cost and confidential.

On June 27, take charge of your health and encourage your loved ones to do the same.

#HIVTestingDay #KnowYourStatus #GeorgiaThrives #InThisTogethertoEndThisTogether 

HIV doesn’t discriminate — and neither should testing.

Everyone ages 13 to 64 should get tested for HIV at least once, no matter who you are. If you have certain risk factors, testing more often is key to staying healthy.

Early testing saves lives — and it’s often free or low cost. Find a location near you at gettested.cdc.gov.

#HIVTestingDay #KnowYourStatus #GeorgiaThrives #InThisTogethertoEndThisTogether  #GetTested 

JUNE

5

HIV Long-Term Survivors Awareness Day #HLTSAD

8

Caribbean American HIV/AIDS Awareness Day #CAHAAD

27

National HIV Testing Day #HIVTestingDay