Community News

The National

AIDS Memorial Quilt

The National AIDS Memorial (NAM), steward of the AIDS

Memorial Quilt, is partnering with the Southern AIDS Coalition to launch a major initiative bringing sections of the Quilt to communities in the southern United States as a teaching tool in the fight against HIV/AIDS.

Funded by a $2.4 million grant by Gilead Sciences, the weeklong Quilt display and programming aims to raise awareness about health disparities and social justice issues that continue to disproportionately impact communities of color.

This powerful and timely Quilt exhibition will feature more than 500 hand-stitched panels of the AIDS Quilt that honor Black and Brown lives lost to AIDS and feature many newly made Quilt panels from the local areas, which will be featured for the first time publicly. They are meant to be a call to action to disrupt systemic issues that impact health equity which continue to disproportionately impact communities of color and marginalized populations.

Through local events and programming, Change the Pattern will actively engage communities through Quilt displays, interactive experiences, storytelling, advocacy, and panel-making workshops. By creating an empowering message and safe spaces for conversation, we can uplift, inspire, and encourage all communities to take an active role in their health, challenge cultural stigmas, and continue the legacy of advocacy for our marginalized brothers, sisters, and others.”