Charlotte Black Pride town hall marks National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day with local health leaders and advocates
Town hall centers people living with HIV and the systems that support care
Charlotte Black Pride held a town hall in Charlotte in observance of National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, bringing together people living with HIV, service providers, healthcare leaders, advocates, and elected officials for a structured public discussion on barriers to care and community-driven solutions. The event’s stated focus was “Bridging the Gap: Elevating the Voices of People Living with HIV by Strengthening the Organizations that Support Them.”
The program was presented in partnership with Quality Comprehensive Health Center and the Mecklenburg County Health Department, and included corporate participation from Gilead Sciences. Organizers framed the gathering as an opportunity for direct conversation about lived experience, practical service needs, and coordination among organizations that provide prevention, testing, treatment, and support.
Why the awareness day matters in Charlotte and nationally
National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day is observed annually on February 7 and has been recognized since 1999. It was created to highlight the disproportionate impact of HIV on Black communities and to promote education, testing, prevention, and sustained treatment engagement.
Locally, public health data show HIV remains a persistent challenge across Mecklenburg County. County reporting indicates that, as of December 31, 2023, 7,446 diagnosed and reported residents were living with HIV, and 272 new HIV diagnoses were reported in 2023. County figures also show racial disparities in new diagnoses: in 2022, African Americans represented nearly three out of five newly reported cases.
Local services discussed: testing, linkage to care, and prevention options
Mecklenburg County Public Health maintains a countywide HIV and STI testing program and operates a public information line for residents seeking screening, prevention services, and navigation support. The county also runs a PrEP access program that began in 2018, designed to provide PrEP at no charge to eligible high-risk residents who live in Mecklenburg County and do not have health insurance through partner clinics.
Quality Comprehensive Health Center, a Charlotte-based clinic, provides HIV testing and counseling, mobile outreach testing, linkage to care, and specialty HIV care. The center also lists services tied to the Ryan White program, which helps eligible patients with HIV-related medical care, medications, and support services.
- Mecklenburg County Public Health HIV/STI information and support line: 704-432-TEST (8378)
- PrEP partner clinics are available in Mecklenburg County for uninsured residents who meet program criteria
- Quality Comprehensive Health Center offers HIV prevention, testing, and treatment services in Charlotte
Broader context: new prevention tools and the role of partnerships
The town hall took place amid continued evolution in HIV prevention and treatment options, including expanded PrEP availability through local programs and healthcare providers. In 2025, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved a twice-yearly injectable option for HIV prevention (lenacapavir, branded Yeztugo), adding another pathway for people who may face challenges with daily medication adherence.
The event’s central premise was that improving outcomes depends not only on medical advances, but also on strengthening organizations that deliver care, reduce barriers, and keep people connected to services over time.
Charlotte Black Pride’s town hall underscored a public-health approach that blends community leadership with clinical capacity—linking prevention, testing, and treatment to the day-to-day realities that influence whether residents can access care and remain engaged in it.