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AJ King
2014 Charlotte Smallwood Volunteer Awardee


Alexander (AJ) King has been working in the non-profit social justice field for almost a decade.  He was introduced to the world of social change and community networking at the age of 15 when he joined a non-profit organization, City at Peace (CAP), a  program that teaches youth the basis of internalized, interpersonal, and institutionalized oppression and conflict resolution through theatre arts. In his third year performing with CAP, AJ was on the production team for multiple showcases, assisting in creative development, while facilitating cultural sensitivity workshops for diverse youth.

Upon graduating High School with an advance diploma in 2007, AJ moved out on his own at the age of 18 to Washington, DC to establish his own independence. While working multiple jobs to support himself, AJ still managed to attend local college, majoring in Sociology. He also became heavily involved in community events and organization, such as Youth Pride.

In 2009, AJ became the assistant manager to the only LGBTQI bookstore in DC, Lambda Rising. As assistant manager, he supervised the DC Summer Youth Employment Program through City a Peace by directing the youth stage play “Unprotected”, a stage-play that addressed HIV/AIDS, identity and teen pregnancy in the DC-metro area.

Soon after, AJ got involved in GLBTIQ rights and the fight against HIV/AIDS. He took on a role as an HIV Prevention Program Coordinator at the Sexual Minority Youth Assistance League (SMYAL). While in this position, AJ was a major advocate for DC’s LGBTQ youth. He became a mentor to the youth and facilitator of over five programs and youth led initiatives. This included the Youth Arts Ensemble a performing arts program geared toward LGBTIQ youth that offer them the opportunity to express issues that impact their lives. AJ managed the HIV Counseling, Testing and Referral program by working with linkage staff to connect HIV-positive youth to medical case management and other referral services, and facilitating a group-level intervention approved by the Centers for Disease Control (Many Men, Many Voices) aimed to address racism, homophobia, risky sexual behaviors and identity amongst African-American gay, bisexual and questioning youth. While at SMYAL, AJ also volunteered his time to multiple provider coalitions.
AJ then took on a role at Northern Virginia AIDS Ministry (NOVAM) facilitating an intervention known as Rewriting Scripts Everyday RISE. RISE is a powerful retreat for gay men of color addressing self-esteem, homophobia, and self-abuse. He also provides outreach and testing for at-risk populations in the Northern Virginia metro area. That year, he won the MetroWeekly Next Generation Award, as well as became a print model for the national CDC campaign, “Testing Makes Us Stronger.”

In 2012, AJ joined the George Washington University team in the School of Public Health as a Research Assistant. At GW, AJ focused on recruiting and working with the African-American SGL men community on HPTN PrEP studies for the prevention of HIV in high-risk individuals. He also holds a part time position at the Northern VA testing agency, NOVASALUD. 

AJ is currently working on his Bachelor’s degree in Sociology, and participating in the NAESM fellowship CRIBB (Creating Responsible Intelligent Black Brothers), where he will eventually utilize his skills and education on a national level.


 

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