Passing the Torch

According to recent studies made public at this year’s HIV Prevention Conference, African Americans, who make up only about 13% of the country’s population, now account for nearly half of its HIV infections. One study also suggests that roughly half of all black men who have sex with other men are HIV-positive. As many Black professionals within the HIV/AIDS community scratch their heads for a viable solution. Johnson is directing his drive for resolution towards a very personal and meaningful endeavor.

Last year in August, Johnson lost two of his most cherished mentors and friends, both of whom happened to be incredible forces in the HIV/AIDS community. He credits one of them, Positively Aware’s beloved editor and executive director, Charles Clifton, for helping him to realize his potential to become an effective community leader.

“I was whining and complaining about my life and he said, ‘What are you going to do to help someone else?’ I was shocked. Me? A former substance abuser? I remember him saying, ‘You know you are smart…you need to get up off of your ass and help somebody else,’ ” Johnson says with a warm smile that reflects the fond memories he holds of his mentor and friend, who passed away in August 2004 of a blood clot that traveled to his lungs. “Nobody had ever said anything like that to me in such a real way and with such love, what else could I do besides take his words to heart.”

From there, Johnson went on to volunteer in various capacities and soon became outreach coordinator for Test Positive Aware Network (TPAN). Two years ago Johnson enrolled in TPAN’s TEAM (Treatment Education Advocacy Management) program, an intensive, year-long training commitment that is designed to educate both those living with HIV and the people who provide services to them.

Upon receiving his certification from TEAM, Kelvin was encouraged by another of his mentors, the late Gigi Nicks, to put his newfound knowledge to use in direct service to people living with the virus. He took on the role of Prevention and Education Peer Counselor, beside Nicks, at Chicago’s CORE center, and became a member of the Planning Council, of which he is currently the co-chair.

Now, more than ever, following the CDC’s big announcement in June, Johnson can feel the huge void that exists in the HIV community from the passing on of these two heroes. “We need leaders,” he says, with a trace of sadness in his voice. “Not that we could ever replace Gigi or Charles, but somebody has got to pick up the torch and run with it.”

In an attempt to do that and to honor his role models at the same time, Johnson has teamed up with the CORE Foundation of Chicago and other major players in the HIV/AIDS community to create the T.O.R.C.H. institute. T.O.R.C.H. (which stands for Teaching, Organizing and Reaching Community HIV Advocates) is a living tribute to the leadership and advocacy work of Charles Clifton and Gigi Nicks. Expected to launch in the fall of 2005 in Chicago, the T.O.R.C.H. institute is a leadership and advocacy training program designed to identify and strengthen a team of community advocates at the local, state and national levels who will assume the role of community leaders.

“If we are going to beat this thing,” says Johnson, “we have got to do what Gigi and Charles did for me. It is important to not only recognize a new breed of community leaders, but also to equip them with the knowledge and resources that they need to be effective and to do the work.”

Like his mentors who have gone on before him, Johnson also understands the importance of using a diverse group of players on the field. “Right now, HIV is impacting African Americans at an alarming rate, and I agree that Black people have to take ownership and responsibility for ourselves,” he says. “But when my house is on fire, I am not going to sift through firefighters until I have rounded up all of the Black ones to have them to put it out! I would put every willing and able body to use in order to save my house.”

The steering committee for the T.O.R.C.H. institute, which is presently hard at work developing its curriculum and infrastructure, is a direct reflection of this mentality. Hand-picked by many who have worked closely with both Clifton and Nicks, the members represent an overall balance of demographics, geography and expertise within the HIV/AIDS community.

“Working on this project helps me to get through this (my loss),” says Johnson. “It makes me okay. I feel like I am giving something back to the legacy of two people who dedicated their lives to helping others, and that makes me feel good.”

For more information, contact Matt Sharp at Test Positive Aware Network, m.sharp@tpan.com.