National Black HIV Awareness Day
National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day is February 7th and is a day to address the impact of HIV on Black Communities.
About Us
A family Affair Living our Best Life (AFA) is a Black-led organization for HIV+ Black Women with a priority focus on women over fifty in the Rural South. Founded in 2005, our agency was incorporated in April 2020 and obtained our legal non-profit status July 2022. AFA is committed to meeting the emotional, physical, and spiritual needs of Black women living and impacted by HIV.
AFA provides uplifting, supportive educational sessions, building leadership skills and provides healing information and events to our Black Community and Diamonds. We refer to the women we serve as Diamonds because they have been tried by fire, trials, tribulations and trauma. AFA’s goal is to ensure Southern Black Women living with HIV and AIDS in the rural south are not left behind.
Our Mission
A Family Affair Living Our Best Life (AFA) mission is to broaden support for Black Women living with HIV in the rural South. We accomplish this mission by applying innovative approaches and practices to build Black Women’s resilience to cope with HIV and their emotional, spiritual, and physical needs.
Upcoming Programming
At present, A Family Affair Living Our Best Life (AFA) is the only organization in South Carolina founded by a Black Woman living with HIV for more than thirty years. AFA’s board is comprised of Black Women living with HIV, affected family members, and concerned congregation and community members. Our board lives in the community and shares their stories with the purpose of tearing down the intersectional walls of stigma and trauma. We put a face to HIV, this constituency supports the following activities:
News & Events
Serenity Memorial Garden
The Serenity Garden is the first Memorial Garden decided to those who have lost their lives from complications of AIDS in South Carolina. The mission of this Serenity Garden is to maintain a dedicated space in Orangeburg, SC, where anyone who has been touched by HIV and AIDS can grieve openly without being stigmatized.
Affirmation Mondays
Facilitated sessions using affirmations to help empower and encourage our community
Black Healing Space
Safe healing space for Black people addressing the systemic trauma experienced by Blacks and healing options.
