“Your test came back positive for HIV.” Seven words no one ever wants to hear. Imagine going to the doctor for a routine check-up and, weeks later, your test comes back positive for the Human Immunodeficiency Virus. What would you say? What would you do? Who would you call? This exact situation became Jessica Glaspie-Davis’ reality. That one sentence meant changing her life forever. At the tender age of 22, Glaspie-Davis was diagnosed with HIV and had no idea where it came from. However, she’s not alone. According to the Center of Disease Control, African-Americans represent 12% of the population but account for 44% percent of HIV diagnoses, the highest rate compared to other races and ethnicities. With HIV and AIDS affecting the African-American community at such a rate, we wanted to put a face and story to these alarming statistics.
