From being appointed by Governor Tony Evers to sit on Wisconsin’s first inaugural Health and Equity Council, to being elected Vice Chair of the Black caucus for the Democratic Party of Wisconsin, to being a TED Talk Speaker, Stacy shakes the ground with his message, heart, and influence. 

With seven years experience in community engagement and HIV prevention, he has carved a vital lane by cross-pollinating his work into politics and policies that help marginalized communities of color through empowerment and increased awareness of HIV. The pandemic has exacerbated health disparities, social disconnect, and scarcity of resources—things that can not be remedied through an approach that relies on medical interventions alone. 

In terms of examining health equity, there are social determinants of health for people living with HIV and communities heavily impacted by the disease. Stacy supports the implementation of proactive strategies for responding to mental health, housing instability, and discrimination so that individuals are better supported in living healthy and thriving lives.

In addition to impacting access to services, Covid made educational outreach to the most vulnerable communities more difficult. When people are focused on paying for their next meal, their long-term physical health is more difficult to prioritize. Day-to-day survival comes to the forefront, and things like adhering to medication schedules, follow up appointments, or learning about PrEP and other HIV prevention tools are all in the background. As the pandemic and time progress, organizations have to be innovative in their approaches to engage communities and support individuals. 

Stacy encourages everyone to shed grace on one another. Especially during this time of loss, inflation, community violence, racism, and homophobia. He says, “Be the one light, out of billions, to have the audacity to shine differently.”

2022 Pride in Color

The Change-Maker: From his time with the City of Seattle to his new role at Promega, Christopher Peguero has always advocated for equitable change.

The Frontrunner: Fifteen-year-old transgender track star Ayden Yee will be profiled in Here-TV’s docu-series, Road to the Runway, premiering August 1.

The Pastor: Cameron Overton (he/him) is the executive pastor at Zao MKE Church and a Black transman called to build the church into an intersectional and queer liberated space committed to the liberation of all people.

The Ancestral Flame: Maria Paula Lujum is the Youth Programs Manager for Centro Hispano of Dane County.

The Educator: Stacy Clark is a Community Health and Equity champion whose mission is to provide services and education to others that he may not have had as a young, black, gay male.

The Good Foot: Al Poliarco is the force behind Barefoot Hands Bodywork

The Dynamo: Clyde Mayberry is the CEO & Founder of the first African American Performing Arts Center in Dane County.