Howard University hosts 15th Annual International Conference on Stigma
By Patricia McDougall Special to the AFRO
The 15th Annual International Conference on Stigma, hosted by the Howard University Department of Pediatrics and Child Health, took place Nov. 19-21 at the institution’s Blackburn Center. The conference included both in-person and virtual offerings, with more than 450 registrants.
Each year, the event addresses health-related stigma and discrimination with a special emphasis on HIV, mental health,
substance abuse stigma and other health conditions like sickle cell, epilepsy and obesity. Healthcare professionals joined with researchers, governmental organizations and community members in efforts to cut down on stigma.
The theme for this year’s event was “Stigma No More, It’s 2024!,” and featured an art contest, a scientific abstracts contest, and more than 25 sessions and panels. Topics of discussion included “Facing their Fears,”
a heterosexual men’s panel, “Trust of Mistrust: Sickle Cell Warriors Unraveling Medical Mistrust,” and a plenary session featuring long term survivors of HIV. Marvin Anderson was also present to perform his rap anthem, “Living Beyond the Red,” which won second prize in the 2024 Stigma Art Contest.
Lisa Fager, master of ceremonies of the 2024 International Stigma Conference at Howard University, welcomes attendees.
Charles Carrington Jr. (left), a sickle cell warrior, participates in a panel titled, “Trust of Mistrust: Sickle Cell Warriors Unraveling Medical Mistrust,” alongside Dr. Sohail Rana, a professor who also specializes in pediatric infectious disease at Howard University Hospital, and Cherrelle Esekie, a sickle cell survivor.
Marvin Anderson, musician, speaker and author, performs live at the 2024 stigma conference.
Felix Sirls (left), an HIV counselor, takes part in the “Facing Their Fears” panel, along with Pedro Benitez, a bilingual community leader, and Vernon “Rasmir” Thomas, a community health worker.
Dr. Jean “TuTu” Purchas-Tulloch, a retiree of Howard University enjoys the 2024 Stigma Conference at her alma mater.
Shown here at the 15th Annual International Conference on Stigma, Maranda Ward (left), assistant professor at George Washington University; Reggie Smith, executive director of the Reginald and Dionne Smith Foundation; Dionne Smith, deputy director of Reginald and Dionne Smith Foundation; Cecilia Chung, a senior advisor for the Transgender Law Center, and David Fawcett, a psychotherapist.
Cynthia Gipson, a retired family advocate for sickle cell disease at Howard University Hospital, speaks at the 2024 conference on stigma in the HIV community.
Barry Sermons moderates the “Facing their Fears” panel at the Annual International Conference on Stigma, held Nov. 19-21.
Photos by Patricia McDougall
Jemima and Daniel Carter wed at New Shiloh Baptist Church
By AFRO Staff
Jemima and Daniel Carter are now officially husband and wife. The couple professed their love and said “I do” on Oct. 25 in front of family and friends at New Shiloh Baptist Church, located in Baltimore City.
The big day was made possible by a chance encounter in the summer of 2019, when Jemima took notice of Daniel while he was dining in a restaurant with relatives. Too shy to speak, Jemima instead inquired about the young man who caught her eye, and soon first contact was made, according to information posted by the couple on The Knot.
By August 2019 the pair had enjoyed their first date in the real world, after multiple weeks of communicating via social media platforms. Finally face to face, the couple learned more about each other over dinner at the Woodmont Grill in Bethesda, Md.
And then, the pandemic began. With the world closing around them, the two began to communicate however they could. Whether it was through text message, social media or phone calls, Jemima and
Daniel knew they needed to stick out the global crisis- together
The couple soon found themselves meeting up in parking lots to spend time together–from Chick Fil A to Rita’s Italian Ice or Coldstone Creamery. They grew closer even as they sat in their separate cars to safely enjoy each other’s company as coronavirus caused international havoc.
Then came the day- the September day that Daniel would make his move. The two were vacationing together in Las Vegas.
“They were preparing to head back to Baltimore after celebrating Daniel’s 35th birthday. Hours before they were scheduled to board the plane, Daniel said that his stomach was upset. He went to the lobby of their hotel to get a ginger ale,” reads the couple’s love story, posted on The Knot. “Close to an hour went by, and Jemima began to get a bit concerned. He eventually returned without the ginger ale but he did have the blessing of Jemima’s father, after calling him to ask for his daughter’s hand in marriage.”
On bended knee, Daniel asked to have and to hold Jemima until the end of time. Her answer, of course, was yes. Though they had departed for Las Vegas as girlfriend and boyfriend- they returned to Charm City betrothed to each other. Now, husband and wife, the two look forward to spending the rest of their lives as one.
Shown here, Chinara DeGross (left); Valentina Hyman; Chardae Buchanan; Ja-Neè Spencer; Cornitra Carter; Jemima Carter; Daniel Carter; Timothy Carter; Caleb Studivant; Rashad Singletary; Sheldon Candis and Brent Brown.
Shown here, on the Carter Family’s big day, Joesph Buchanan III (left), nephew of the bride; Chardae Buchanan, sister- in- law; Father of the bride, Joesph Buchanan Sr.; The bride, Jemima Carter, next to her groom, Rev. Daniel Carter; Joyce Buchanan, mother of the bride; Joesph Buchanan II, brother of the bride, and Victoria Buchanan, niece of the bride.
Rev. Daniel and Jemima Carter take their first steps in holy matrimony together.
Elder Joseph Buchanan (left) joins Joyce Buchanan; the bride and groom, Jemima and Rev. Daniel Carter; Rev. Monique Carter and Dr. Harold Carter Jr. for a beautiful Oct. 25 wedding.
Photos courtesy of Timeless Photo and Video Graphic courtesy Bing Images