LGBTQ media advocacy organization GLAAD has hired DaShawn Usher as their Program Officer for Communities of Color to reduce the stigma around HIV/AIDS, especially in the South.
Usher, an award-winning advocate, published researcher, and celebrated LGBTQ community leader, brings more than 12 years of experience in LGBTQ research, program development and design, campaigns, and health communications to GLAAD. He has been listed on the 2017 and 2018 DBQ Magazine’s LOUD 100 People of Color list, featured in OUT Magazine’s 2017 OUT100 list, recognized by NYC Pride as a 2018 Community Hero, and received the 2019 Fighter Award by Heir Productions.
Usher is also the founder and Executive Director of the Mobilizing Our Brothers Initiative (MOBI), a series of curated social connectivity events for gay and queer people of color to promote community, wellness, and personal development.
As Program Officer for Communities of Color, Usher will serve as the primary project manager of Accelerating Compassion, a three-year grant aimed at reducing HIV and AIDS stigma and accelerating acceptance of LGBTQ people of color, particularly those living in the South.
On Tuesday (August 20), Usher will be leading outreach for Southern HIV/AIDS Awareness Day to highlight the disproportionate impact of HIV on the Southern U.S. by attending the Southern HIV/AIDS Awareness Day Reception in Birmingham, Alabama. The following day, he will attend the Southern Solutions meeting with Southern stakeholders to share scalable, fundable solutions to reduce new HIV/AIDS transmissions and improve the quality of care in their communites.