MILWAUKEE—(August 7, 2019) — New this year, the AIDS Resource Center of Wisconsin (ARCW) is announcing that there will be not just one, but three Honorary Co-Chairs for this year’s AIDS Walk Wisconsin & 5K Run. Nationally-recognized HIV activists Cleve Jones, Naina Khanna, and Mondo Guerra will all serve as Honorary Co-Chairs to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the largest HIV fundraising event in Wisconsin. AIDS Walk Wisconsin & 5K Run will take place on Saturday, October 5th at the Summerfest Grounds in Milwaukee.
“Cleve Jones, Naina Khanna and Mondo Guerra are all inspiring leaders in HIV, LGBTQ and social justice communities with personal and professional stories that are helping change the social and political climate on HIV,” said Michael Gifford, AIDS Resource Center of Wisconsin President and Chief Executive Officer. “We are honored that all three will join us in Milwaukee to celebrate 30 years of progress in Wisconsin’s response to HIV.”
Cleve Jones is a human rights activist, lecturer and author of When We Rise. Mentored by pioneer LGBT activist Harvey Milk, Jones co-founded the San Francisco AIDS Foundation in 1983 and founded The NAMES Project AIDS Memorial Quilt, one of the world’s largest community art projects. A longtime survivor of HIV, Jones continues to speak and write about the HIV epidemic, and works as an organizer for the hospitality workers’ union, UNITE HERE.
Naina Khanna is a national speaker, trainer and advocate who has worked in the HIV field since 2005 following her HIV diagnosis in 2002. Khanna is currently Executive Director at Positive Women’s Network, and serves on the Board of Directors for AIDS United, the National Steering Committee for the US People Living with HIV Caucus, as a member of the Women’s HIV Research Initiative, and served on President Obama’s Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS (PACHA).
Mondo Guerra is a Mexican-American fashion designer who finished as runner-up on Season 8 of Project Runway, and later won the series’ first season of Project Runway All Stars. After coming out as HIV positive on the show, Guerra has become a spokesperson for two national HIV campaigns. Guerra has designed clothing to help advance the conversation about the HIV epidemic, and speaks to audiences about HIV stigma and “AIDS phobia” within the gay community.
Over the past 29 years of AIDS Walk Wisconsin & 5K Run, more than 128,000 registrants have come from all over the state to participate. AIDS Walk Wisconsin & 5K Run has collectively raised more than $13.5 million that directly benefits individuals in our state who are impacted by HIV. Funds raised will support prevention, care and treatment services offered at the ARCW HIV Medical Home, and are critical in ensuring that everyone with or at risk for HIV has access to high quality healthcare, regardless of their ability to pay. Cleve Jones, Naina Khanna and Mondo Guerra will serve as ambassadors and be present at the event to celebrate and honor the great work being done in Wisconsin. The event is free, but registrants who raise pledges will win exciting prizes, including a commemorative t-shirt designed by Mondo Guerra. The top fundraiser for the event will be treated to a two-night stay at the Grand Geneva Resort.
Go to www.aidswalkwis.org to register for the event.
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