Storytelling has long shaped how communities are seen, understood and remembered. At this year’s American Black Film Festival, GLAAD and ViiV Healthcare brought that idea into sharp focus with a conversation centered on Black queer voices and the role media can play in challenging HIV stigma.
Held at the New World Center’s Truist Pavilion, the panel, titled From Story to Impact: Black Queer Stories and Allyship Driving Culture and Change, gathered artists, advocates and industry leaders for a discussion about representation, public awareness and the power of authentic narratives.
Moderated by journalist Shar Jossell, the conversation featured P-Valley star Nicco Annan, comedian Brandi Denise, writer Kharmony Fortune and Bithiah Lafontant, Head of Enterprise Communications at ViiV Healthcare.
The event comes at a time when advocates say conversations around HIV prevention and treatment remain critically important, particularly for communities that continue to experience disproportionate rates of infection while often receiving less visibility in mainstream media.
Why Representation Still Matters
Throughout the discussion, panelists emphasized that Black queer stories do more than entertain. They can challenge assumptions, build empathy and create opportunities for audiences to engage with issues that are often misunderstood.
“Storytelling has always been a catalyst for change, and that’s exactly why this moment matters. At ViiV Healthcare, we know that ending HIV isn’t just about our innovation and science, it’s also about shifting culture, touching hearts, and confronting stigma head-on,” Lafontant said.
She added that partnerships like the one between ViiV Healthcare and GLAAD help connect creators, audiences and advocates through stories that reflect lived experiences.
“When we tell stories that reflect the authentic experiences of people whose lives have been impacted by HIV, we create understanding and move one step closer to ending the epidemic.”
GLAAD President and CEO Sarah Kate Ellis echoed the urgency of the moment, pointing to growing concerns around HIV education and awareness.
“Dangerous funding cuts and a lack of HIV awareness among younger generations have created a truly urgent need for more stories and visibility around HIV treatment and prevention,” Ellis said. “Our partnership with ViiV Healthcare aims to reduce stigma and increase education by championing and providing a platform to the most affected and most knowledgeable communities.”
The Stories Missing From Screen
One of the recurring themes of the panel was the lack of diverse portrayals of people living with HIV in television and film.
Lafontant argued that many depictions remain limited, often centering diagnosis or tragedy rather than showing people living full lives.
“We don’t see just love stories where a person is living with HIV, we don’t see a rom-com, we don’t see a comedy where HIV is just a part of someone’s life. Those stories don’t really exist.”
Her comments highlighted a broader challenge facing the entertainment industry. While conversations around LGBTQ+ inclusion have expanded in recent years, HIV is still frequently treated as a niche topic rather than an everyday reality affecting millions of people around the world.
Panelists suggested that normalizing those experiences on screen could help dismantle misconceptions that continue to persist decades into the epidemic.
Nicco Annan On Advocacy And Conversation
For Annan, advocacy is deeply personal.
The actor shared how a call from a former student helped shape his perspective on discussing HIV openly.
“As a former educator, having an 18 year old call you because they’re coming from the clinic and found out that they have HIV, is a different experience to wake up to. That changed me, and I was like, ‘Oh, no, we gotta talk about these things.’ We have to talk about it, and it doesn’t have to be a lecture, it literally can just be a conversation.”
His remarks underscored one of the panel’s central messages: meaningful change often begins with everyday dialogue.
Annan also offered fans a teaser about the upcoming season of P-Valley, delivering his update with the same theatrical flair that has made his portrayal of Uncle Clifford a fan favorite.
“I think some time around the season of autumn leaves, when there is a change in weather, you should be taking a trip Down in the Valley. It’s definitely this year. It is groundbreaking in another way. You shall be moved. You shall be healed. You shall be stirred.”
Addressing Persistent Gaps In Awareness
Lafontant also spoke about misconceptions she regularly encounters when discussing HIV, particularly among younger audiences.
“When I talk to people about HIV, the majority of people – Black, Brown, young people – do not have any idea of the disproportionate impact on our community.”
She noted that many people continue to associate HIV primarily with white gay men despite data showing the virus affects a wide range of communities.
“People still think [HIV] is a white gay man disease, even though we know that Black women are several times more likely than white women to contract HIV. The Black community makes up about 13% of the population but almost a 1/3 of all HIV cases. And speaking about young people, 1 in 5 of new cases of HIV are in young people. So the communities that most need to be having conversations about HIV, are the ones that are not talking about it.”
Those statistics served as a reminder of why many advocates continue pushing for greater visibility both on and off screen.
From Entertainment To Impact
The conversation at ABFF reflected a growing movement within media and entertainment to connect representation with real-world outcomes. For GLAAD and ViiV Healthcare, that means elevating stories that not only reflect Black queer experiences but also encourage education, understanding and action.
As the panel concluded, one message remained clear: storytelling can be a powerful tool for cultural change. Whether through television, comedy, film or digital media, authentic narratives have the ability to challenge stigma, expand awareness and help communities see themselves reflected in ways that feel honest and human.
For organizations working to end HIV stigma, that impact extends far beyond the screen.
