DEONDRE B. MOORE
Let your life be a testimony is certainly apropos for Deondre B. Moore. In 2014, at the age of 19, Deondre was diagnosed HIV+. Instead of letting his status break him, it became a breakthrough. Moore, now 28, serves as Partnerships and Community Engagement Manager for the Prevention Access Campaign (PAC) and is one of the leaders of the U=U (Undetectable Equals Untransmittable) movement. (U=U is scientifically proven that an HIV-positive person who is on meds and has an undetectable viral load has zero chance of transmitting the virus.) Last March, Moore addressed the President’s Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS (PACHA). He said: “With your leadership and support, we can measure, optimize, and scale up the impact U=U has on improving the health, well-being, and emotional wellness of people living with HIV. This will also prevent new transmissions. Embracing U=U is a win-win.” Thanks in part to Moore’s comments, the White House announced its endorsement of U=U across the federal government in July. The modern day freedom fighter went on to be honored by GLAAD and named “Person of the Year” by HIV Plus magazine, where he appeared on the cover. — E.W.