Breaking the Stigma: Addressing HIV in Delaware’s MOT Community

Members of the Middletown (DE) Alumnae Chapter and representatives Deneen McManus and Indi Islam from AIDS Delaware at the chapters annual World Aids Day event on November 30, 2024.

Frank Hawkins, Director of Prevention Services with AIDS Delaware, reminds us that “Ignoring HIV does not make it go away”—a powerful call to action emphasizing the urgency of addressing HIV/AIDS, particularly within Delaware’s Black community. Despite medical advancements, African Americans account for over 60% of new HIV diagnoses in Delaware while making up less than a quarter of the population, according to the Delaware HIV Surveillance Report. To combat this disparity, the Middletown (DE) Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. hosted a World AIDS Day event on November 30, 2024, in partnership with AIDS Delaware, Good HealthWins, Focus Pharmacy, and Philly Pretzel Middletown. Held at the New Castle County Paramedic Station, the event provided education, health services, and a space for open conversations about HIV prevention and treatment.

AIDS Delaware’s mobile HIV testing unit was front and center, offering attendees the chance to take control of their health with rapid tests that delivered results in minutes. But the commitment to wellness didn’t stop there. Dr. Regina Smith, a dedicated chapter member, provided blood pressure screenings, while Focus Pharmacy, a Soror-owned business, made it easy to stay protected with flu vaccines and COVID-19 screenings.

Dr. Regina Smith, dedicated member of the Middletown (DE) Alumnae Chapter, conducting free blood pressure screenings for MAC World AIDS Day event participants.

Adding a fun and interactive twist, AIDS Delaware’s Deneen McManus and Indi Islam kept the energy high with a trivia spin wheel, where participants tested their knowledge on HIV transmission, prevention, and treatment. With each spin, they walked away with prizes—and, more importantly, life-saving information. And to top it all off? Warm cups of hot cocoa fueled the conversations, making it an afternoon of empowerment, education, and community care!

AIDS Delaware representatives Deneen McManus and Indi Islam excited and ready to spin the trivia wheel for participants to test their HIV/AIDS knowledge.

The event also featured I Can Fly International, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to protecting vulnerable women and children from early marriages, female genital mutilation, sexual abuse, child labor, tribal wars, illiteracy, and extreme poverty. This organization provides education and resources to create a safer future for at-risk youth. We encourage our community to support their mission.

HIV/AIDS remains a pressing health crisis in Delaware, disproportionately affecting Black communities due to systemic disparities in healthcare access and awareness. By breaking stigmas, promoting education, and encouraging regular testing, we can reduce the spread of HIV and save lives.

Join us in making a difference! For more information about HIV resources in Delaware, visit AIDS Delaware. Together, we can create lasting change.