SOUTH CAROLINA ADVOCATE
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SOUTH CAROLINA ADVOCATE •
Ernest Brown (He/Him)
Ernest Brown comes with over 17 years of working in the field of Public Health. Ernest has extensive experience working in advocacy and and engaging clients in policy change in the area of Health Equity among Black and Brown people living with HIV. Ernest currently serves as a voting member of the Ryan White HIV Planning Council and is the Co-Chair of the Prevention Committee and leads the sub-committee for LGBTQ working group, and also serves on the Prison Advisory Board for the State of SC. Ernest has a vast social network which he uses to educate and inform people across all social media platforms about Health Equity and Decriminalization of HIV in SC. Ernest currently serves in a leadership position with the Columbia Housing Authority where he oversees the HOPWA program which provides affordable housing to individuals living with HIV and is also employed with FHI 360 based out of Durham, NC as a Health Equity Liaison for
Montgomery AL, Dallas TX, and Ft. Lauderdale working with agencies in the three states to build and create coalitions to focus on the barrieRs to PrEP Uptake and Viral Suppression among young Black MSM's of color.
“I am excited to join this project because it will allow me to have my voice heard and to bring more awareness to decriminalizing HIV racial injustice among individuals living with HIV in South Carolina as well as the other Southern States where there are antiquated laws that need to be changed when it comes to HIV. This unique opportunity to partner with HNP Advocate Project will allow me to build partnerships and create leaders to be bold and speak out on this injustice.”