Davina "Dee" Conner Otalor, at Prevention Access Campaign

February 2022 - Thera Community Champion

I'm nominating Davina "Dee" Conner to be the next Community Champion for the following reasons: Davina "Dee" Conner has committed her life to working for and with people living with HIV. Diagnosed in 1997 as a young mother, she began working as a strong HIV advocate, leader, and speaker seven years ago. In order to reach her community around the U.S. and the world, address internalized stigma, and help end stigma that’s been associated with HIV, in 2015 Dee turned to internet radio and created a podcast through Blog Talk USA called Pozitively Dee’s Discussion. The interactive podcast became an outlet for others to share their HIV journeys, and Dee used the platform to inspire and let others know that they could live a beautiful life after diagnosis. Pozitively Dee’s Discussion launches on Roku TV (this month) in February 2022. Dee currently works as a Community Engagement Outreach Specialist at Prevention Access Campaign (PAC). Throughout her years of advocacy, she has been a co-chair of PWN-CO, a board member of Denver’s HIV Planning Council (Ryan White) and of Positive Justice Project, a blogger for thebody.com and contributing writer for HIV.net, a member of Jansen’s advisory board, an alumnus of Sister Love’s Leading Women’s Society, a founding Steering Committee Member of Prevention Access Campaign (UequalsU), and in 2018 was represented in the first UequalsU campaign for the U.S. called Positive Series by Prevention Access Campaign, ViiV, and Housing Works. Dee was awarded ADAP’s Leadership Award (social media award) for her podcast in 2018; received the Persistent Advocacy Award at AIDS Watch in 2019; and has been featured in several magazines for her ongoing work within communities. By sharing her own journey and clear information about HIV, Dee provides education and shares her values of empowerment, meaningful involvement of People Living with HIV (PLHIV), and compassion with all. Website: https://pozitivelydee.com/ FB: https://www.facebook.com/DavinaConnerpozitivelydee IG: @pozitivelydee TikTok @pozitivelydee