Pat Kelly - Executive Director
Patricia (PAT) Kelly is a native New Yorker who currently resides in Orangeburg, SC. At 66 she is aging gracefully and gratefully. She was diagnosed with HIV/AIDS 1985/1998. She is founder and Executive Director of A Family Affair Living Our Best Life, HIV/AIDS Ministry at Victory Tabernacle in Orangeburg. She is a mother, grandmother and great grandmother of eight. She was in the first class of P.O.S.I.T.I V. E. Voices Women’s Health Advocacy Network- 2008 along with the Photo Voice project. She is a founding member of Positive Women’s Network USA and former Board Member with position of Treasurer. Pat is a member of Common Threads by graduating in the South Carolina Class in 2009 and later completing the Micro Enterprising training in 2010 and currently the crafter trainer for Common Threads and on the steering committee of Common Threads where serves as Vice Chair. Pat has participated in all the Market places of Common Threads at USCA. She is on the steering committee of US Persons Living with HIV Caucus. She was a team member of Be The Next Generation- AID United/ AIDS Alliance where she presented biomedical workshops to her community. Completed training under AIDS Alliance for Children, Youth and Families as a Consumer Corp Trainer. Honored by 20/20 Leading Women’s Society- of SisterLove Inc-First class 2009. Member of SC HIV Planning Council where she is the Chair of Women’s Working Group. Currently in collaboration with Iris House on a ViiV Project. Previous Principal Investigator of MUSC Community Base Preparatory Research Project EX- Offenders Discussion of Unmet Services-(EXODUS). Member of National Minority AIDS Council, and a member of HIV 50+ Network. September 2014 received an honor from Positive Living Conference as the first black women to receive the Martin Delaney Power of One HIV/AIDS Advocacy Award. As a Common Threader had the honor of being the first US group to make red ribbons for Levi Strauss World AIDS Day and under the Micro Enterprising of Common Threads had a booth at International AIDS Conference in Durban South Africa 2016. She has many affiliations, local, regional and national.
Personal Motto “I Live to serve As I server others I serve myself.”
Stephanie Laster - Program Manager
Stephanie Laster is long-time health educator, advocate and recognized leader in her community. She was diagnosed with HIV in 1997, while educating herself on how to tackle her new journey Stephanie decided she wanted to help other women have access to accurate and non-stigmatizing information on HIV. Stephanie started her work at in Atlanta, GA doing public speaking, providing education and advocacy techniques while facilitating support groups, workshops and providing testing and counseling. Stephanie has conducted extensive outreach in jails, churches, colleges, senior centers and many audiences’ locally, nationally and international. Stephanie has been recognized for her leadership, commitment and mentoring of women in her community and beyond. She received the Black AIDS Institute Ambassador Award and is a member of the 2020 Leading Women’s Society and a member of the Positive Women’s Network. She is the senior panel making facilitator for the AIDS Memorial Quilt. She currently serves on the Board of Directors of Jerusalem House Inc. and is a member of The Metropolitan Atlanta Planning Council.
Sharon DeCuir - Communication Specialist
Sharon DeCuir is a native of Baton Rouge, LA, and wonderful mother to two amazing, brilliant children with six grandchildren. In 2008, She began her career with HAART as a Housing Case Manager for PLWHA. Sharon expanded into Prevention where she managed the PS10-1003. Following Prevention her Advocacy Career begin. While working she returned to continue her education online in 2015, she received her Associates of Science in Accounting from University of Phoenix Baton Rouge, LA. She has filled many roles in her fifteen-year span at
HAART now dba Open Health Care Clinic, due to her diligence and hard work.
Sharon has demonstrated unwavering commitment in her services to PLWHA and excelled in her performance. In 2018 she received the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Baton Rouge AIDS Choice Awards. She was awarded the Trailblazer Award from the State of Louisiana in 2019. Sharon maintains excellent performance and leadership qualities. As Sharon continues to grow in her role of Communication Specialist for A Family Affair, her goal is to excel, while continuing to provide innovative services to PLWHA.
Shirley Ford - Bookkeeper
Shirley E Ford owns and operates P.A.T Services LLC. ( Professional Anointed Touch) “Where
the anointing makes the difference.” She holds a Bachelor’s Degree from Strayer University in
Business Administration along with operating her small business. Shirley is employed with
WEX Inc, as a Customer Service Specialist. Shirley has lived a life of service to God’s people, in
her community, family, and friends. She operates her gifting at Rehoboth Restoration Church, in
Columbia SC, where she serves as Chairman of the Board. She’s the mother of 3 daughters and 2 grandchildren.
Motto: “Go on what you know, not what you feel. Your Feelings will mess you up every time.”
