AIDS United mourns the loss of Dr. Stephaun Wallace, who died Saturday. A renaissance man who paved a tremendous path in service of others, he died peacefully from Stage 4 lung cancer in the presence of close family and friends.
Wallace was an internationally recognized public health leader, research epidemiologist, iconic ballroom/house father and social justice advocate. Wallace served in many roles and, at the time of his death, served as the director of external relations for the HIV Vaccine Trials Network at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center.
The organization issued a statement celebrating his dedication public health and social justice, saying “He had extraordinary presence, and while those memories of his advocacy and his voice will always be with us, his death and his absence will be felt by all who knew him.”
Leaders from across the country shared about his intimate role as father, friend and mentor to the generations of Black gay, queer and transgender men and women.
Carl Baloney Jr., AIDS United’s vice president of policy and public affairs shared, “Stephaun was an extraordinary brother that I instantly gravitated toward. The fraternal bond we built during the movement work of United We Rise, a collaborative to engage Black communities in addressing HIV, was constructed through fellowship-filled warmth and welcoming. Reimagining the movement without him present will be difficult, yet ending the HIV epidemic is even more possible because he helped to envision it. While we lose a giant, his knowledge, history and experiences will continue to live beyond the years he walked this earth.”
The AIDS United team and board extend our condolences to Wallace’s team at Fred Hutch, his chosen family members, and his many loved ones.
