The HOPE Community Advisory Board is made up of members of the HIV community who are advocates for people living with HIV.
Community Advisory Board
Raif Derrazi
California
On his 27th birthday, Raif Derazzi (he/him)’s greatest fear came to life when he was diagnosed with AIDS. Realizing his ‘victim mindset’ he was determined to change and regain control of his life. Seven years later, Raif is now a pro natural competitive physique bodybuilder. In response to the scarcity of ‘positive’ role models in the HIV community, he now talks about his HIV status on social media in hopes of providing guidance and inspiration to others. As the host of a fitness segment on cable TV show ’Plus Life’ a growing YouTube subscribership and following on Instagram, Twitter & Facebook, he shares his life and his journey living with HIV, embracing a fitness lifestyle, personal-growth and inspiration! Raif cofounded the non for profit Black Queer Town Hall.
Alecia Tramel-McIntyre
Florida
Alecia Tramel-McIntyre(she/her) is the founder of Positive People Network, Inc, a non- profit organization whose mission is to change the quality of life of people living with HIV/AIDS and to change the Norms. For the rest of the community, Education, Awareness and Prevention. Alecia is the Florida State Lead for Positive Women’s Network, a member of BTAN, The Southern Aids Coalition CAB member, Florida Community Health Worker Coalition, Florida HIV Justice Coalition, Member of Miami-Dade HIV/AIDS Partnership, Chair of The Community Coalition of The Partnership, Board member of ICWNA, Blogger for A Girl Like Me: The Well Project, member of The Florida Rights Restoration Coalition, and Florida HIV/Aids Advocacy Network, among others. Alecia is committed to eradicating stigma and has worked on initiatives such as restoring voting rights through Amendment 4. Being an ambassador for Prevention Access and U=U, Alecia proudly empowers and educates the community on the facts and science of Undetectable=Untransmittable.
Luis Gutierrez-Mock
California
Luis Gutierrez-Mock (he,him), MPH, MA, is a Public Health Specialist Supervisor at the UCSF Pandemic Initiative for Equity and Action. He is the qualitative lead on several COVID research projects, including a rapid qualitative study on vaccine hesitancy among San Francisco residents. He also serves as a training lead and subject matter expert for the California COVID-19 Virtual Training Academy, which has remotely trained over 10,000 contact tracers and case investigators. Prior to COVID, Luis worked in transgender HIV prevention for 20 years through direct service, advocacy, capacity building, and research. Luis holds an MA in Sexuality Studies, a second MA in Ethnic Studies, and an MPH with an emphasis in community health education. He is currently completing his Doctorate in Medical Sociology at UCSF.
Kalvin Leveille
New York
Based in New York City, Kalvin Leveille (he/him) has served as a Public Health Professional and HIV/AIDS Advocate for over 14 years. His goal is to help create and advance opportunities towards better health outcomes for LGBTQ+ People of Color and People Living with HIV/AIDS. In 2019, after serving as the Director of Business Development & Community Engagement at Gay Men’s Health Crisis (GMHC), he joined the New York State Dept. of Health’s AIDS Institute as a Health Program Coordinator. His role has expanded to focus on the Crystal Meth crisis that continues to burden Black same gender loving (SGL) men. Since earning a Master's in Healthcare Administration from Columbia University in 2018, Kalvin is currently pursuing his second Master's from CUNY’s Hunter College in Mental Health Counseling. As an HIV/AIDS advocate, he has delivered over 100 presentations to over 50,000 individuals throughout NYS. Additionally, he has been featured on many local and national public health media campaigns, such as U=U (Undetectable Equals Untransmittable) and I Am More Than My Status. He has also served in many leadership roles on advisory bodies, such as the NY Governor Cuomo’s Ending the Epidemic (ETE) Task Force.
Santos Rodriguez
New Orleans
Santos Rodriguez is a dedicated professional and lifelong community volunteer with a diverse background in Clinical Research and Clinical Laboratory Biotechnology. Based in New Orleans, Louisiana, Santos currently serves as the Oncology Biospecimen Manager at the Louisiana Cancer Research Center (LCRC). In this role, he is actively engaged in HIV/Oncology population sciences and organoid core development to contribute to the establishment of a Center for AIDS Research program between Tulane and LSU, as well as the new therapeutics core for rare cancers. Beyond his professional endeavors, Santos is deeply committed to community service. He has made significant contributions as the Assistant Director of Black Pride NOLA and through his volunteer work with the New Orleans Regional AIDS Planning Council. His approach to community engagement is rooted in collaboration and inclusivity, and he is recognized for his tireless efforts in supporting and serving local communities. Santos's impactful work stems from his own diagnosis in 2016. He is involved in several programs including: Test and Be Treated, Lenacapavir for PrEP, nationwide Blood Donor Epidemiology Study that expanded eligibility for LGBT MSM individuals, Black Pride NOLA, Positive 2 Pozitive foundation, and is an HIV LEAD Facilitator from the Southern AIDS Coalition.
Morris Singletary
New Orleans
Morris Singletary, a dedicated advocate for those living with HIV, draws from his personal journey as a Black, Gay, Christian man in the Southern United States to empower others. Through his platform PoZitive2PoSitive, he educates and engages audiences on HIV-related issues using social media and storytelling. Recognized for his impactful work, Morris has collaborated with organizations like GLAAD and founded a 501(c)(3) initiative. As Executive Director of PoZitive2PoSitive, he focuses on HIV prevention and quality care. Formerly, he chaired the Metropolitan Atlanta HIV Health Services Planning Council. Recently relocating to New Orleans, Morris continues his advocacy, particularly supporting marginalized communities and college students in obtaining degrees without the burden of HIV.
