Watkins-Hayes on the transformative power of HIV/AIDS activism

On World Aids Day, Celeste Watkins-Hayes participated in a discussion at The City Club of Cleveland, on the importance of activism and community leadership to confront the inequalities perpetuated by HIV/AIDS and useful lessons that can apply to many modern challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The remarkable conversion of HIV/AIDS from an inevitable death sentence to a manageable chronic illness is not only one of the most noteworthy medical achievements of the past forty years, but it is also a significant political and social achievement,” Watkins-Hayes said. 

Watch the discussion here.

Faculty Expert

Celeste M. Watkins-Hayes

Joan and Sanford Weill Dean of Public Policy; Jean E. Fairfax Collegiate Professor of Public Policy; University Diversity and Social Transformation Professor; Professor of Sociology

Watkins-Hayes is an internationally-recognized scholar and expert widely credited for her research at the intersection of inequality, public policy, and human service institutions, with a special focus on HIV/AIDS; poverty; and race, class, and gender studies. Dr. Watkins-Hayes has published three books, numerous articles in journals and edited volumes, and pieces in The New York Times, The Atlantic, The Chronicle of Higher Education, and Chicago Magazine.

• Celeste Watkins-Hayes
• The City Club Of Cleveland
• HIV/AIDS
• HIV
• Health Activism
• activism
• community leadership
• COVID-19 insights and action
• public health