Our December 2018 Shero of the Month is Shyronn Jones of Atlanta, Georgia. She is the PWN-USA State Lead for Georgia, a graduate of the inaugural class of the PWN Policy Fellowship, and an official member spokesperson.
“Over the past several years, Shyronn has proven herself to be a dedicated, dependable representative of Positive Women’s Network – USA,” said Jennie Smith-Camejo, communications director of PWN-USA. “She understands and knows how to speak to the issues that affect women living with HIV as well as her community as a whole. She dedicates herself tirelessly to her work in advocacy and education and has grown into a fearless leader.”
Shortly after moving to Albany, New York in 2003, Shyronn got involved in policy advocacy. She spent a lot of time at The Albany Damien Center–a community center for individuals and families living with and affected by HIV. She and others often lobbied at the New York State Assembly. “My closer look into policy advocacy came in 2011 when I was a student intern at the New York State Assembly,” she added.
We asked Shyronn if she ever thought she would be this visible and involved in policy advocacy. She often imagined having spaces where she could be involved in sharing information regarding HIV. Her Facebook group iknowAwareness LLC and her Positive Women’s Network-Georgia Facebook page fulfills her wish to store a collection of information related to HIV. “My memoir A PIECE Of ME with HIV is paving a way for me to be more visible. My involvement continues to transcend! As my involvement evolves, I imagine the outcomes of my advocacy work being more visible than I am,” she explained.
Shyronn is most proud of the committees she serves on. She is a member of The Metropolitan Atlanta HIV Health Services Planning Council (MAHHSPC, a.k.a. Ryan White Part A Planning Council) Priorities Committee. “In 2018 I’ve had all my proposed motions passed. The motion I’m most proud of was the redistribution of the Minority AIDS Initiative funding. I moved funds into a few support service categories. The service category I’m most proud of, was into the previously empty Emergency Financial Assistance. This accomplishment will help to meet the urgent needs of minority communities within a 20-County service area (Atlanta Eligible Metropolitan Area).”
Shyronn says of her future, “I’m working on a short film based on my memoir A Piece Of Me with HIV. This film will focus on my personal life, ending HIV stigma and ways to get involved in advocacy. I’m also planning to publish my 2nd book, Language is Art: HIV Activity Book which was co-written by my 6-year-old daughter.”
Shyronn leaves emerging advocates with this message, “Be thankful and pray for strength, support and comfort while working in the field of HIV. Encourage and support fellow advocates and other persons who assist you in your advocacy.”
Congratulations Shyronn!! We look forward to your continued leadership!
See Shyronn in action in this video produced by our partners at the Sero Project for Visual AIDS’ Day With(out) Art 2018.
Sero Project for ALTERNATE ENDINGS, ACTIVIST RISINGS from Visual AIDS on Vimeo.