Mississippi: A Positive HIV Life

My Brother's Keeper (MBK), a nonprofit addressing the health disparities facing minorities, is among those offering free HIV testing this week in recognition of National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, Feb. 7.

Cedric Sturdevant is a Ridgeland-based project coordinator and HIV prevention specialist with MBK. His goal is to empower people to take control of their lives, whether they have HIV or not. His drive comes from personal experience: Sturdevant was diagnosed with HIV in 2005 but kept it quiet for fear of hurting his mom. After nearly dying, he began taking care of himself, taking medicines, exercising, and eating right.

Openly gay, Sturdevant expects some to be critical of his lifestyle, though he does not allow it to deter him. "God has placed me here and kept me here for a reason," he said. "Maybe it will inspire others to take care of themselves."

Sturdevant believes that solutions for reducing HIV/AIDS' impact on the black community need to come from within. "My theory is the fact we keep stuff so silent around here. HIV/AIDS is the last thing we're talking about," he said. "We actually need to have conversations ongoing about this. We don't because we don't have conversations about homosexuality."

"As long as HIV/AIDS has been around there are still people not educated about it," noted Sturdevant. "It's going to take all of us -- churches, Greek organizations, barbershops -- to get a hold on this disease and stop the mindset that it only affects gay men."

For information on MBK testing sites, telephone 601-957-3625 or visit www.mbkinc.org.

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