AIDS Memorial Quilt Changing Pattern

The National AIDS Memorial has partnered with Southern AIDS Coalition to bring sections of the AIDS Memorial Quilt to communities throughout the Southern U.S to highlight & honor Black & Brown lives lost to HIV & AIDS as part of “Change The Pattern”. The new initiative is funded by a $2.4 million grant by Gilead Sciences. John Cunningham National AIDS Memorial CEO stated, “The National AIDS Memorial is honored to partner with Southern AIDS Coalition & Gilead Sciences to bring the Quilt to the South as a touchstone to actively engage communities most impacted by HIV/AIDS. By creating an empowering message & safe spaces for conversation, we can uplift, inspire & make progress toward ending the HIV epidemic, challenge cultural stigmas & continue the legacy of advocacy that the Quilt represents.” Dafina Ward, Executive Director of Southern AIDS Coalition added, “Just as the Quilt was founded 35 years ago as a visual representation of the need to end stigma & provide equitable resources to communities most impacted by HIV & AIDS, Change the Pattern is a call to action & change in the South…The sharing & telling of these powerful stories through the Quilt, coupled with advocacy & open dialogue, can help end HIV-related stigma and bring the stories of those we’ve lost to light.” Dr. Shanell McGoy, Director of Corporate Giving at Gilead Sciences concluded, “Gilead is so proud to support this innovative program that will use the Quilt as a powerful teaching tool & connector to raise greater awareness & help change these statistics. To end the HIV/AIDS epidemic, we must continue to examine new ways to reach & actively engage communities that continue to be disproportionately impacted by HIV.”

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