“Perspectives” is a new series that highlights our advisors who are leaders in the HIV field and provide guidance to the Coalition, ensuring that our priorities are informed by the latest scientific research and best practices.

This month, we are pleased to spotlight Princess Jauan Durbin, Chair of our HIV Leadership Advisory Council and Vice President of Community Health & Partnerships at Southern Legal Center for Youth.

Please share a brief bio and description of your current role.

‍I am a community health scholar, Gen Z public health leader, and the Chair of the national HIV Leadership Advisory Council for the U.S. Business Action to End HIV. I also serve as Vice President of Community Health & Partnerships at the Southern Legal Center for Youth, where I lead the Southern Kiki Leaders Collective, a youth-centered HIV prevention and leadership program working with LGBTQ+ young adults across the Southern United States.  My work bridges community leadership, prevention advocacy, and cross-sector partnerships to expand access to HIV prevention tools, culturally relevant engagement, and youth leadership development.

‍How do you hope to see U.S. Business Action to End HIV and coalition members contributing toward ending HIV in the U.S.?

‍I hope to see companies continue expanding their role by investing directly in community-led solutions and prevention innovation. In my work across the country, I see firsthand how youth-led and developed programs can drive prevention engagement. When businesses align with organizations doing this work on the ground and use their platforms to advance awareness and reduce stigma, they become powerful catalysts for accelerating progress toward ending the epidemic.

‍What’s one simple action a company could take this year to support the local HIV response in their community?

‍Build a meaningful partnership with a local community-based organization. Many grassroots organizations in the community are leading prevention education, testing, and peer-led outreach initiatives, but often operate with limited capacity. Supporting these organizations with funding is important, but so is intentionally and strategically partnering through employee engagement or volunteer networks.

‍Why have you personally decided to dedicate yourself to working on HIV?

‍My journey into HIV advocacy began as a young person navigating my own sexual health without clear guidance or resources. That experience showed me how important access to accurate information, testing, and affirming care can be. Today, my work focuses on ensuring that young people, especially LGBTQ+ youth in the South, have the tools, knowledge, and community support needed to protect and empower their health and lead in the HIV response.

‍Is there anything else that you'd like to share with Coalition members?

‍Ending HIV will require collaboration across sectors. Community leaders, public health experts, and the private sector all bring perfect pieces of the puzzle to the table. It’ll take strategy to make those pieces fit and complete, but it can and will be done. I’m excited about the role this Coalition can play in further connecting corporate partners who understand and want to stand alongside and with the communities leading this work.

About U.S. Business Action to End HIV

U.S. Business Action to End HIV was founded in 2022 by the Health Action Alliance, with support from ViiV Healthcare, to mobilize the private sector to help end HIV in the U.S. We offer free tools, resources, and events to help employers educate workers, fight stigma, improve access to HIV prevention and treatment services, and build connections to the communities that need it most.‍

‍Join the Coalition today.