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Ms. Veronica Brisco is an advocate who “Speaks Out Loud” about her HIV diagnosis received in December 1999. Although diagnosed in 1999, she determined in May of 2011 to begin a personal journey to openly challenge the world to “Hear Me as I Speak Out Loud and Proud” in the fight against HIV and AIDS.
Ms. Brisco is a native of Philadelphia. Despite the challenges and obstacles of growing up in the inner city, she excelled and thrived in her environment with the love and support of family and friends. She was recruited by many colleges and universities after receiving an extensive number of academic scholarships and awards, including a four-year volleyball scholarship from the University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES). In 1985, Ms. Brisco was nominated and elected Miss UMES and featured in the Ebony Magazine as one of the reigning Queens of Historically Black Colleges and Universities. As a graduate of UMES with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, her diversified background includes being an elementary school teacher and manager. She is a successful business owner and independent contractor, advocate, lobbyist, consultant and awareness speaker.
After relocating to South Carolina, her journey began in HIV at the South Carolina HIV/AIDS Council (SCHAC). Since 2014, Ms. Brisco has been an Advocacy Mobilizer with AIDS Healthcare Foundation. She successfully advocated in the U.S. Congress and in state legislatures on decisions affecting the 340B drug pricing program, the AIDS drug assistance program and the Ryan White HIV/AIDS program including the promotion of the HIV care continuum.
In South Carolina she started as a volunteer and quickly progressed to becoming an employee. Ms. Brisco became a member of P.O.S.I.T.I.V.E. Voices (Proactive, Optimistic, Sisters, In Touch, Involved, Validated and Empowered), a group of women living with HIV individually selected to advocate, speak with legislators, and share their “story” throughout the United States. She also helped to develop and facilitate a pilot program for a Women’s Empowerment Academy (W.E.A.) spearheaded by SCHAC/P.O.S.I.T.I.V.E. Voices developed to empower women living with HIV.
Ms. Brisco and her son, who was not living with HIV prior to his death in 2020, shared a determination to help eliminate the spread of HIV worldwide, to eradicate stigma, and to enlighten the world about the true realities of contracting and living with HIV.
“I am a warrior of hope living with HIV. I want to share my journey to inspire and empower anyone touched by HIV that our fight is not over. I don’t just want to survive. I must thrive. Together we can break barriers and bring an end to the HIV epidemic. I want my journey to unite us all and inspire anyone living with HIV to push forward and never give up. Our strength unites all of us living with HIV. I am here to speak loudly, advocate, educate and fight HIV,” said Ms. Brisco.
For more information about AIDS Healthcare Foundation, visit www.ahf.org
