Poz I Am Radio

Jason King, a transplant from Los Angeles, California, lives in Fort Lauderdale, Florida with his partner. He started working for AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) in 2010 in the organization's pharmacy division where he discovered his passion for patient advocacy. King now serves as Advocacy and Legislative Affairs Manager in AHF's Southern Bureau, where he leads local and nationwide advocacy efforts and maintains relations with state and federal officials. King has been HIV positive for 6 years and aims to have an active role in reducing stigma that revolves around HIV/AIDS especially in the gay community. As a former beneficiary of the AIDS Drug Assistance Program, King seeks to preserve the program as he joins others in protecting and expanding its capacity to provide lifesaving therapy to those in need. In his free time, King is a runner, a Pride Center volunteer and a classical pianist.  

James Breinig lives in southern NJ. James is 29 years old and on November 2, 2010 He thought his life was over. He tested positive for HIV at the Washington West Project in Philadelphia. Not knowing a lot about the disease, He was convinced his life from that point on would be one of pain and suffering. A little over two years later his life has absolutely changed for the better! As time went on he felt that he really wanted to share his story. Not because it is Hollywood material but because it is very similar to a lot of other HIV positive individuals. His hope is that it will touch someone newly diagnosed or someone who has been living with it for years, who may be afraid to tell anyone, and to let them know they're going to be okay. In the past two years James has learned a lot and he wants to continue educating himself so that he can share that with others. He has been lucky in that he has been showered with love and support, but he knows that not everyone out there is in the same boat. He thinks a big

Ken Warnock served three years in the Navy prior to being discharged for being gay before “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” was even enacted.  As a Navy Hospitalcorpsman, he was involved in the roll out of HIV testing of US military personnel in the mid-80’s.  After the Navy, Ken used his military training as a Surgical Technologist to gain employment upon his return home to Michigan.  As a result of his experience with discrimination, he became an advocate for gay rights and became involved in a number of local organizations.  When DADT was being discussed, Ken was a common local media presence.  In 1988, he contracted Hepatitis B from a scalpel injury during a surgical procedure.  This did not preclude him from working in the OR, however, when he was diagnosed with HIV & AIDS in 2002, a routine test demonstrated the presence of the Hepatitis B E-antigen which meant that he could no longer perform invasive surgical procedures.  He has become an Adjunct Faculty member at Macomb Community College and at Oakland Com

On Sunday December 9th Jason Villalobos will be sharinghis story on the POZ I AM Radio Show. Jason Villalobos is an HIV/AIDS activist and national spokesperson for the Greater Than AIDS Campaign. Diagnosed with AIDS some 8 years ago, he has since dedicated his life to helping eradicate the shame and stigma associated with the disease.   Through public appearances, direct lobbying of elected officials, and partnering with local non-profits in San Francisco, Jason has advocated for more funding and charitable giving through his high profile in the HIV/AIDS activist world.   Last World AIDS Day Jason shared his story with www.edgeonthenet.com in the FACES of AIDS Video Series.

Justin B. Terry-Smith, 32, has been an HIV and Gay Civil Rights activist in the Washington DC area since 1999.  An Air Force veteran, he was honorably discharged with awards and decorations in 2003.  Justin created ‘Justin’s HIV Journal’ to advocate for HIV/AIDS education, prevention and awareness.  In his journal he tells people about the trials and tribulations when it comes to living with HIV/AIDS. He is also the Author of “I Have A Secret”, which is a story about a young boy living with HIV.  Justin also presently writes an Advice Column called, ‘Just*in Time’ for A&U, America’s AIDS Magazine & is working on his HIV Campaign called, ‘Write A Letter to HIV Campaign’ He also is in Graduate School for his Master’s in Public Health Philip B. Terry-Smith, Ph.D., Th.D., LPC., is in private practice as an executive and personal coach, counselor and organizational consultant. He has worked with many diverse populations and settings, noted for using creative approaches to help organizations and individual

On Sunday November 25th at 9pm, Kari Farmer-Coffman will be sharing her story. Kari lives near Fort Smith, AR. She is the mother of a beautiful daughter. Kari was diagnosed with HIV on NOv 4, 2010 and two days later was diagnosed with AIDS. She was told to make plans for her daughter and her funeral. Kari was not ready to quit. Two years later, she is still fighting and making a difference in the community. She is now undetectable. She is a full time student, an advocate and activist, and most importantly a better mother! She knows that she has a voice for this cause and she uses it to the best of her abilities. Today she enjoys being a Girl Scout Leader, and is currently working on 2 grassroots organizations, AR HOPE is a prevention based program in the state of Arkansas. She is the leader of the River Valley branch (for her area in Arkansas) She has also helped start the C2EA(campaign to end AIDS) Arkansas branch. She is excited to see the growth in Arkansas. She has joined the PJP HIV Criminalization stat

Chaz Howard is 19 years old and resides in Des Moines, Iowa. Howard was diagnosed fewer than nine months ago, yet he has made the choice to be completely transparent with regards to his HIV-positive status -- even with friends, family, fellow students and some acquaintances. Chaz has found care and support that was unexpected and he speaks from the perspective of a newly-diagnosed youth of a mixed ethnicity in a state where a harsh HIV criminalization law exists. Howard is a member/volunteer of Positive Iowans Taking Charge (PITCH), an emotional and social support group run by HIV+ for HIV+. Chaz also volunteers with an Iowa-based non-profit organization titled Community HIV/Hepatitis Advocates of Iowa Network (CHAIN); CHAIN is spearheading the effort in Iowa to repeal or "modernize" Iowa's Draconian HIV-specific criminalization statute.

On Sunday November 7th at 9pm EST we will be speaking with Activist Jeff Allen on the POZ I AM Radio Show. Jeff Allen tested positive in 1985. He was a drug addict using heroin and cocaine and reckless in his behavior. Jeff was homeless and living in my car for more than two months. Jeff lived in Key west with his partner of 12 years where the HIV community was small and compact. When it came to the end of his life he wanted to leave and go where he was not so well known. After his passing Jeff moved to Deland Florida right outside the Daytona Beach area. He was very frail and weak, but needed a purpose in his life. This is when Jeff first started volunteering with HIV/AIDS in 1995. Living with no T-cells for 3 years and a viral load 1,650,000 Jeff contracted MAC (Mycobacterium avium complex) from potting plants in my yard. “MAC,” is the name of a group of germs. These germs can infect people who are living with HIV. Jeff had to go on an IV drip for 5 days. Then Jeff got involved with his local Ryan White co

Kathleen Gerus-Darbison is currently an Adjunct Professor in Sociology at Oakland Community College  in Auburn Hills, Michigan and Macomb Community College in Clinton Twp, Michigan. She teaches Intro classes as well as the Sociology of Sex Roles, Modern Social Problems, Race & Ethnicity and Marriage and Family. Kathleen is probably best known as the Founder & Director of  Stitches Women’s Initiatives, an organization that offers doll making  workshops for women living with HIV infection and other health/life challenges. Stitches also provides a traveling exhibit of completed dolls to educate the larger community around issues of risk, stigma, and discrimination. For more info: www.stitchesdollproject.org  

On Sunday October 21st we will be speaking with Sarah and Sophie Denis-Johnston on, the daughters of Rebecca Denison. Sophie and Sarah Denison-Johnston were born at San Francisco General Hospital in March of 1996. Their mother, Rebecca Denison, founder of WORLD (Women Organized to Respond to Life-threatening Diseases) participated in the phase 1 trial of nevirapine that led to our negative status. Their mother wrote an article about her decision here: http://www.thebody.com/content/art12663.html  Sophie and Sarah feel so honored to have been a part of this monumental step in approaching an AIDS free generation in that they know it's possible to stop mother-daughter transmission of HIV. Their only question is why should we be called fortunate. It's their hope that in the future having access to these types of drugs isn't a privilege. It should be accessible to everyone, no matter who and where they are.

On Sunday October 14th at 9pm EST we will be speaking with Rebecca Denison  the Founder of WORLD (Women Organized to Respond to Life-threatening Diseeases). Rebecca is an Oakland-based information, support and advocacy network for HIV-positive women and their loved ones. In 1990, a month before she was scheduled to begin law school, Rebecca was diagnosed with HIV. In 1991, with support from her husband Daniel, Rebecca started the WORLD newsletter in her living room with a mailing list of 200. Six months later WORLD held their first retreat for HIV+ women, and a year later Rebecca helped start the International Community of Women Living with HIV/AIDS.  In 1995, Rebecca and Daniel decided to become parents, and in March 1996 their twin girls, Sophia and Sarah were born, both HIV-free. . Her children are now 16 years old and thriving, having recently attended the International AIDS Conference in Washington DC, while she stayed home to work in Oakland. Her husband remains HIV-negative. She has been living with HI

On Sunday September  30th at 9pm EST Danielle Rogers aka “Mama D” will be sharing what it is like to be a parent of an HIV+ child. Danielle embraced the “learning how to make lemonade from lemons” mentality very early in life. As a child she endured a turbulent household and parental instability which meant little encouragement; while emotional abuse defined her daily life. She therefore, developed an inferiority complex and a sense of worthlessness. As an adult she conceded estrangement from her adult child (Jamar Rogers) who suffered through the self-destructive pain of a six year drug addiction and reckless living. He ultimately contracted HIV. Her son, Jamar Rogers was a recent contestant on The Voice and publicly broke down barriers of stigma by revealing his HIV status on national television. Danielle supported him by showing unconditional love through out his reign on the show. Danielle is an inspirational speaker, writer, mentor, parent-coach and motivator. However, her greatest love and achievement t

Timothy Ray Brown is returning to POZ I AM Radio to talk about the Timothy Ray Brown Foundation the world’s first AIDS foundation devoted exclusively to finding a cure for the disease Timothy Ray Brown is “The Berlin patient”, the man who once had HIV. Although American, he was living in Berlin and receiving treatment for HIV when he was diagnosed in 2006 with leukemia. He was treated by Dr Gero Huetter who had a cutting-edge idea of treating his leukemia with a stem cell transplant from a person who was born immune to HIV infection. The rest is medical history. Timothy is recognized by international researchers as the first and only documented case of a person being cured of HIV. Now, almost 20 years after he was diagnosed, the 45-year-old is, essentially, cured. He now lives in San Francisco and since he decided to out himself as the person who had been known only as “The Berlin Patient”, he has become a bit of a celebrity at various AIDS functions. His most important goal is to assist in making his cure p

Each day across the globe almost 7,000 people, including 900 children, will contract HIV, joining an estimated 34.2 million people already living with HIV. During any 24 hours more than 4,600 people around the world will die of an AIDS-related cause.But on one day, Friday, September 21, people everywhere, both HIV positive and negative, can share an image of coping and care through the lens of a camera. On that day, Positively Aware (www.positivelyaware.com), is asking people to take a digital photograph to record a moment of their day that will focus the world’s attention on the daily trials and triumphs of people living with HIV. For the third year A Day with HIV (www.adaywithhiv.com) will help remove the stigma of HIV and to advance an international community of care through this collective photographic portrait. On Friday, September 21 anyone can record a special image, a time with friends and family, at work or play, or any moment in the day that helps people better understand how HIV impacts people, l

 Devarah 'Dee' Borrego is a 28-year-old, HIV+ transwoman originally from Denver, Colorado, who grew up mostly in suburban Connecticut. She acquired HIV at age 20; the same year as she began her transition. She has been living in the Boston area since 2004 where she has worked with and at a number of different community organizations in the Boston area, including JRI Health, TransCEND, the Boston Living Center and Cambridge Cares About AIDS. She's also a polyglot who speaks Spanish, French, Norwegian, American Sign Language, and a variety of other languages to various degrees. On the national scene, Dee was also a founding member of the US Positive Women’s Network (US PWN), an organization led by and for HIV+ American women to address the way HIV disproportionately affects women in the US. She currently serves as a Steering Committee member of the US PWN, as well as a member of their Strategic Communications Action Team. She's also a member of the Global Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS (GNP+) North Ame

The founder of The Stigma Project Chris Richey and Scott McPherson will join the POZ I AM Radio Hosts. The Stigma Project is an up and coming grassroots organization that aims to lower the HIV infection rate and neutralize the stigma associated with HIV/AIDS through education and awareness via social media and advertising. The Stigma Project seeks to create an HIV neutral world, free of judgement and fear by working with both positive and negative individuals from all walks of life, regardless of their gender, sexual orientation, race, or background. Social media has rapidly become one of today's largest mediums of news, culture, and education. They hope to embrace that with effective campaigns each season that bring awareness to the current state of HIV.

 Dab Garner and William Herndon will be sitting in with the POZ I AM Radio hosts to discuss some hot topics and about his recent Teddy Bear Touchdown fundraiser featuring HIV+ Escape Artist Daniel Bauer - Beyond Belief Call in with questions and comments at 347-215-9442  

Christopher Barnhill is an award-winning HIV/AIDS activist and Founder/CEO of POZitive Impact, LLC. At 16 he discovered that he was infected at birth with HIV, which inspired him to dedicate his life to promote the awareness of knowing one’s status. For the past 8 years he has been speaking publicly about being positive and has been featured on numerous media outlets such as NPR, BET's 106 & Park, LOGO, MTV, ABC Nightline, Black Enterprise Magazine, and profiled in the book “Travels of a Gay Nation” by Phil Gambone. His goal is to be the hope for other young HIV-positive people, by demonstrating that you can live a productive life. In addition to his many accomplishments, he also has worked on the Obama Administration’s National HIV Strategy in regards to HIV and Youth and a licensed youth minister for The Community Church of Washington DC 2012 has been a wonderful year for Christopher as he was the National Spokesmodel for The National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day Organization (NBHAAD), featured in the

On Sunday August 5th at 9pm EST Maria Mejia will be talking with Robert & Jeromy on the POZ I AM Radio Show. Maria Mejia is a a 39-year-old Colombian female who lives in Miami, Florida. She has been positive for 20 years. Although almost all my life she has been in long-term relationships with HIV-negative men,She is happily married to a woman who is wonderful and caring. We have been together almost three years and she is HIV negative. Maria is a activist, a peer educator, a caregiver. She volunteered for the Red Cross in education for the Hispanic HIV community and also the American community. She was a pre- and post-test counselor. She has spoke at many conferences and done a lot of outreach in the community, especially in the schools for prevention and education. It is part of her everyday life to educate everyone she can on this subject. Maria also blogs for TheBody.com - Check out her blog here " Being HIV positive is nothing to be ashamed about! We are strong women, and we will take away all the s

This past week Robert and Jeromy attended the International AIDS Conference in Washington D.C. During tonights live show they will be sharing what it was like attending the conference and meeting people from around the world who were either living with HIV or working to end HIV. Our special guest is the amazing Aaron Laxton If you attended the IAC  we want you to call into the show at 347-215-9442 and share what your expereince was like.