Stronger as Peers: The Power of Community
February 24, 2025
The Peer Navigation Program (PNP) at Diverse & Resilient, lovingly shaped by the late Ronnie Grace, continues to be a vital resource for people living with HIV, ensuring they stay connected to the care they deserve. In a moment when DEI initiatives and federal funding face growing threats, Ronnie’s life and legacy remain a beacon of hope, inspiring the next generation at Diverse & Resilient to carry his vision forward with love and determination.
In a heartfelt conversation, our HIV care team—affectionately known as the Peer Navigation Program—alongside our CEO and President, Chris Allen, sat down with Newsletter co-editor, Tou Fong, to reflect on the power of community and what it truly means to show up for one another.
Peer Navigators Darren, Bentley, Justin, and Corey, who leads the team as the Manager of Prevention and Care, opened up to Tou Fong about the invaluable lessons and deep-rooted wisdom that queer Black and Indigenous communities of color (BIPOC) have given us all.
Corey spoke with passion about the unshakable strength of queer Black voices in the movement, saying, “In times like this, if the fight comes to you, resist and fight back harder.” His words, echoed by Chris and countless community leaders across the nation, underscore the courage it takes to lead with love, resilience, and empowerment in the face of adversity.
Darren Lee, our Lead Peer Navigator, reflected on the strength and grace our community continues to show. “Our community teaches the world strength, resilience, and that ‘silence in the face of oppression’ is never an option.” For Darren, community is more than a word—it’s a feeling of connection, culture, and visibility. He found this in Milwaukee’s Black LGBTQ+ spaces, especially within the vibrant ballroom scene. Recently honored with the “Ballroom Excellence Award” from Black Pride Milwaukee, Inc., Darren shared, “Ballroom is where I find community. It’s where I feel seen.”
Bentley’s words echoed this sentiment of resilience. “Nothing was handed to us. We stood up and didn’t take no for an answer to get where we are today,” he said. Justin, another dedicated Peer Navigator, spoke with fierce pride, declaring, “For people trying to erase us, our community has a permanent presence—you can never erase us.” Their voices remind us that while stigma and adversity remain all too familiar, our community’s strength, joy, and perseverance will never be silenced.
The impact of Diverse & Resilient’s work runs deep—it’s more than services; it’s sanctuary. In a tender moment, Tou Fong and Bentley imagined what their dream sanctuary would look like. “There would be zero room for judgment and stigma,” Bentley envisioned. A place filled with safety, connection, and empowerment—with “Beyoncé playing in the background”, of course, because nothing says joy and resilience like the anthems that lift us up.
Chris Allen, our President and CEO, beautifully summed it up: “We remain steadfast in our mission, our advocacy, and our commitment to building a Wisconsin where every person, in all their intersecting identities, is valued, protected, and empowered.”
As we honor Black History Month, Chris added a poignant reminder: “As we celebrate Black History Month, we recognize the resilience, contributions, and leadership of Black communities throughout history.” In the heart of Diverse & Resilient, community isn’t just something we serve, it’s something we are. It’s in every conversation, every shared laugh, every act of resistance, and every moment of love. Together, just like Ronnie Grace did for us, we hold space for each other, we fight for each other, and we thrive together.
Written By: Tou Fong Lee, co-editor