N.J. HIV outreach intensifies as Black communities face disproportionate impact – NJ.com

Gene Huffman is no stranger to adversity. As a gay man living with HIV, he says the virus is something he’s grown accustomed to.
“Living with HIV in 2025 for me is nothing out of the ordinary,” said Huffman, 34, of Paterson. “Thankfully, I’ve been undetectable for 13 years. But the only caveat is that I must take 1 pill a day to keep healthy and make three doctor visits a year.”
Huffman is among 18,000 African Americans across New Jersey affected by HIV, increasing the need for targeted outreach, advocates say.
On the heels of World AIDS Day, which highlights HIV and AIDS testing and the global fight against stigma, organizations across the Garden State are stepping up their efforts to combat the ongoing AIDS epidemic.
“There is so much misinformation and stigma around HIV,” said Zellie Thomas, a member of Black Lives Matter Paterson. “But the reality is that HIV is a manageable condition, and treatment can make it completely untransmissible. Stigma keeps people from getting tested, and that causes just as much harm as the virus itself.”
He said Black Lives Matter Paterson has teamed up with various institutions, including the Hyancinth AIDS Foundation, to address the needs of the community and educate.
Across the state, more than 2,000 people have recently shown up to get tested and learn about the resources Hyancinth provides.
HIV is a virus that attacks the immune system, and AIDS is the advanced stage of HIV infection when the immune system becomes severely weakened.
Nationwide, over 1 million Americans are affected by HIV, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
In New Jersey, the most recent statewide data show that more than 36,900 residents are living with HIV, according to the New Jersey Department of Health.
Black people are the most disproportionately affected racial demographic in the nation, according to the CDC, accounting for about 38 to 44% of new HIV diagnoses in recent years, although they make up roughly 12 to 14% of the population.
Organizations such as the Communities Organizing for Prevention and Empowerment [C.O.P.E.] say a lot of their work happens directly in the community — on the streets, at events, and in shared spaces — where they provide HIV testing referrals, safer-sex supplies, naloxone training, and immediate help connecting to care.
“World AIDS Day reminds us of both the progress made and the challenges that remain, said C.O.P.E. Program Manager Andriana Herrera. “To confront these challenges, C.O.P.E. is expanding outreach, strengthening local partnerships, and ensuring our tools and education are culturally relevant and community driven.”
Others have taken a similar approach to responding to the issue.
“We’ve been tabling all week and allowing people to share the names and stories of loved ones they’ve lost,” said Johanne Rateau, a Hyancinth representative. “It’s very important to give individuals the space to vent and share their story in peace.
Huffman said talking about sex shouldn’t be hard and wants people to understand that the virus isn’t life-ending or all-consuming unless you allow it to be.
“Conversations surrounding sex shouldn’t be difficult ones to have,” he added. “I want people to know that the virus is not the end, nor will it consume your life if you don’t let it.”
For more information about AIDS prevention, visit HIV.gov.

Deion R. Johnson is a local news reporter for NJ Advance Media. He covers public safety, education, and issues impacting New Jersey’s communities of color. Have a tip? E-mail djohnson@njadvancemedia.com.
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