J'Vawnna is an online peer educator with MySistahs.

My name is J’Vawnna and I am 24 years old. I recently graduated with a Master’s in Public Health (MPH) in Health Policy and Clinical Practice.

I have a commitment to address young women’s reproductive health issues and the disparate rates of HIV infection among women of color. Through my previous experiences with working with other organizations that promote the awareness of HIV infection and advocate for reproductive health freedom, I feel I am prepared to carry out the work of MySistahs. I feel honored to be a part of the Young Women of Color Initiative, for it has helped to further define my commitment to activism and social change surrounding women’s health issues.

I joined MySistahs because I wanted to raise awareness and empower youth, specifically young women of color, about the need for HIV prevention, as well as advocate for the direct involvement of young women of color in the process of employing and developing preventive HIV/AIDS programs, and increase their knowledge about reproductive health challenges. I am passionate about this work because HIV/AIDS and STIs are affecting young women of color at disparate rates and it is time that this trend is discontinued. I feel as a woman of color it is my duty to educate and empower young women of color to make smart decisions when it comes to their sexual and reproductive health; and MySistahs provides me with a credible voice and the support to do so.

In addition to working with MySistahs, I work actively with the National Alliance of State and Territorial AIDS Directors (NASTAD), the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office on Women’s Health, and Planned Parenthood of America in advocating for the accessibility of women’s health information in order to empower women to make health-conscious choices and create healthy lifestyles for themselves-increasing the power of personal CHOICE!

It is my hope to soon attend medical school and dedicate my career in medicine to advocating for preventive health programming and initiatives to promote optimal health and healthy lifestyles for women through policy, clinical practice, awareness, education and accessible women’s health information.