By Cedric Mobley
Howard University announced today the convening of the 15th Annual Howard University International Conference on Stigma, scheduled for November 19-21, 2024. This year’s theme is “Stigma No More…It’s 2024!” The purpose of the conference is to end negative beliefs and unfounded perceptions surrounding HIV, mental health, sickle cell disease, epilepsy, substance use, and other intersecting health issues, particularly those disproportionately affecting marginalized communities.
Each year, the International Conference on Stigma brings together a full roster of researchers, educators, policymakers, activists, faith leaders, students, youth, and community leaders to discuss strategies to overcome health-related bias, which impedes treatment and prevention. This year’s conference will include open discussions on diagnosis, health equity, internalized stigma, and other topics. It will also include mental health education and leadership training led by Chantelle Fitzgerald of Mindset Strategies, LLC entitled, “Self-Compassion as a Tool to Defeat Stigma.”
Virtual sessions will take place November 19-20, and an in-person main session will be held on location at Howard University’s Armour J. Blackburn Center on Thursday, November 21. Most events will be livestreamed, including the November 21 main session. Registration information and a complete conference agenda can be found at www.whocanyoutell.org.
“The stigma associated with health conditions is a major problem and impedes treatment and prevention efforts,” said Sohail Rana, M.D., professor of pediatrics at the Howard University College of Medicine and conference director. “To address stigma, love and community are the cure. Most people with stigmatized illnesses like HIV have suffered layers and layers of trauma. Today, addressing different forms of stigma involves providing people opportunities to tell their stories without facing rejection.”
Notable Speakers include:
- Keynote Speaker: S. Mandisa Moore-O’Neal (she/her), Executive Director, CHLP, New Orleans
Topic: “HIV Decriminalization as a Necessary Strategy to End HIV Stigma”
- Rana Family Speaker Series for Social Justice in Health Speaker: Laila El-Haddad, MPP
Topic: “Dehumanization…A Toolbox for Genocide”
- Additional Speakers:
- Alicia Lucksted, Ph.D., research psychologist (University of Maryland and the Veterans Health Administration)
- Ekpereka Sandra Nawfal, MBBS, MPH, scientific abstract winner (Florida International University)
- Reggie and Dionne Smith, HIV advocates
- Charles Carrington, “Sickle Cell Warrior”
- Ofosuwa M. Abiola, Ph.D., Howard University professor and director, Africana Theatre and Dance Collection, Chadwick A. Boseman College of Fine Arts
Conference sponsors include Gilead Sciences, Research Data and Communication Technologies, Community Education Group, Denver Prevention and Training Center, HIV Vaccine Trials Network, and NASTAD. Major collaborators include HealthHIV, Howard University School of Social Work, and the Mid-Atlantic AIDS Education and Training Center (Howard University Regional Site).