“Leadership and learning are indispensable to each other.”
John F. Kennedy said that both are equally necessary for success.
To who this may concern,
I have dedicated my life to uplifting and empowering others who have been affected and infected with HIV. I always want to look at people as people first. My name is David Wyley Long and I’ve been living and thriving with HIV for over two decades. As a member of AIDS United’s Leadership Development 2025 cohort, I was completely amazed by the abundance of work we still have to do to combat the address the disparities and inequalities of Black and Brown Southerners.
The 2025 cohort represented a unique blend emerging advocates and seasoned champions exploring new ground. Through the 18 month, I was amazed by the fresh perspectives on strategies for funding, data collection, and addressing the current federal divestment of HIV programs and services.
This leadership cohort provided impactful leaders to learn from, and I was especially grateful for the sharp and dedicated leadership styles of Clifford Casteberry and Mark Lockwood. Both shared with me a wealth of newfound wisdom, as well as new ways to connect and engage my community within my state and beyond.
To begin, And I have had plenty of those here in Tennessee.
We are more than our backgrounds or the illnesses that plague our community. We are powerful because of our collective wisdom, knowledge, mindsets, and fearless tenacity, we can overcome all struggles.
Although these opportunities are raw, I’m glad to participate in a program that values me and sees the fullness of who I am. It is my hope—alongside the reflected vision and rich legacy of AIDS United that more leaders will apply in the future and dream even bigger and stronger. I now lead with a more robust mindset, backed by fellow leaders who’ve given me vision and strategy to live my absolute best life.
About the Southern HIV Impact Fund: The Southern HIV Impact Fund is a pooled fund with a coordinated approach to bring a strategic focus on HIV care and prevention services, advocacy and movement-building, and leadership development efforts in the South. The fund provides tailored technical assistance, leadership development, and one-year grants to HIV service, social justice, and civil rights organizations in the South.
Through (SHIF) Leadership Development Cohort program, we aim to build the capacity of emerging leaders in the HIV movement by providing hands-on leadership training, and financial support to support project that address needs of individuals and communities affected by HIV in the South.
To whom it may concern is a series of impact stories and testimonies from grantees and members of the SHIF’s Leadership Development Program, cohort #8.
Click here to support AIDS United work in the Southern region.