LA Community Advisory Board – UCLA – CDU

Mission
The mission of the UCLA CDU CFAR Los Angeles CAB “DA CAB” is to foster a supportive and inclusive environment that promotes education, awareness, and advocacy regarding HIV/AIDS research within the community and beyond. DA CAB is committed to the principles of compassion and social justice for all patients with HIV. DA CAB seeks to empower individuals affected by HIV, reduce stigma, and contribute to the creation of an atmosphere that values all patients and prioritizes the health and well-being for all members of our community.

Principals

Education and Awareness: To provide comprehensive and up-to-date information on HIV/AIDS, prevention strategies, treatment options, and related issues through educational initiatives, workshops, and events.
Support and Resources: To establish a network of support for individuals living with or affected by HIV, connecting them with resources, counseling services, and a supportive community that promotes well-being and resilience.
Advocacy: To advocate for policies and practices that foster inclusivity, non-discrimination, and access to healthcare for individuals affected by HIV. We aim to engage with local and national initiatives to influence positive change and challenge stigma.
Community Engagement: To create a platform for open dialogue and collaboration among students, faculty, staff, and the broader community to address HIV-related issues. Through partnerships with local organizations and healthcare providers, we strive to enhance the collective effort in combating HIV/AIDS.
Research and Innovation: To support and encourage research initiatives focused on HIV/AIDS within the academic community. By promoting interdisciplinary collaboration, we aim to contribute to advancements in the understanding, prevention, and treatment of HIV.

	Shellye Jones, MSW, LCSW is the Clinical Supervisor for Drew CARES at Charles R. Drew University. She earned her BA from Oberlin College and her MSW from the University of Connecticut, where she graduated at the top of her class, delivered the commencement address, and was voted Exemplary Social Work Student by her peers. Shellye has dedicated her career to supporting individuals and families navigating infertility, serious illness, and HIV/AIDS. Over the years, she has served in many roles including case manager, therapist, program manager, interim director, clinical supervisor, and consultant. A longtime advocate for women living with HIV, Shellye founded one of the first support groups for women living with HIV/AIDS in Los Angeles County and has coordinated numerous Community Advisory Boards (CABs). She has also directed and produced three public service announcements focused on women and HIV testing, the National HIV/AIDS Strategy, and awareness of PrEP for women. At Charles R. Drew University of Medicine & Science, Shellye provides clinical mental health services, facilitates women’s support groups, and coordinates two Community Advisory Boards for the OASIS Clinic and CFAR. She also supported the Rise UP! Zambia Wellness Team, coordinated the Women Together Collaborative Program, and serves as Project Manager for Project Empowerment. Shellye is known as an engaging speaker, experienced clinician, and passionate advocate for the communities she serves.
	Lynnea Railey Garbutt is a proud, vibrant, HIV positive woman who has devoted her life to serving the HIV/AIDS community. She is currently working as a support group facilitator for the Lifetime Survivors Network a national network of individuals who contracted HIV during early childhood. She also worked for the University of San Diego’s iSTRIVE Research Lab where she serves as a Peer Navigator for the Women SHINE study, co-facilitating weekly group sessions and providing psychoeducation. She was the Chair of the UCLA-CDU CFAR Community Advisory Board and served as a member of the Los Angeles County Commission on HIV/AIDS (2013-2014) and an APLA Peer Consultant in 2013. Ms. Garbutt has been featured in the Los Angeles Times twice, for testifying before the Governor’s Budget Committee in 2009, and again for her participation in AIDS Walk LA in 2009. She was the recipient of the Sister Love 2020 Leading Women Society Award and the LA HIV/AIDS Women’s Task Force Peer Leadership Award, both in 2012. Ms. Garbutt is newly married and lives in Los Angeles, CA with her husband and children. “Because Black women in America have been silenced, disrespected, and unappreciated for too long. My voice is fueled with passion for change. Stigma, guilt, shame, and fear have caused many of us to hide our faces and swallow our words. I speak for those who can’t. I can be an inspiration to others, and I know that HIV research can result in a cure. I’ve never known a world without HIV, and because of research I hope to see it within my lifetime.”
	Shawn Pleasants is an independent advocate for unhoused people in Los Angeles. A former banker and entrepreneur with an economics degree from Yale, he lived unhoused in downtown Los Angeles with his husband for 10 years. In 2020, they were able to procure housing, and Mr. Pleasants is now on numerous boards and advisory committees; co-chair of the Los Angele Homeless Services Authority Lived Experience Advisory Board; Lafayette Park A Bridge Home Advisory Council; Ktown For All; and the Legal Needs Assessment for People Living with HIV-AIDS Community Advisory Committee. Mr. Pleasants is the Lead CAB member and joined the UCLA-CDU Center For AIDS Research in February 2022. Mr. Pleasants has been featured in news stories on CNN, KTLA, PBS, Spectrum News,  the Los Angeles Times, and interviewed on KCRW, KCCP, LAist, and many others. Mr. Pleasants has taken the things that once held him down and used them to lift him up in the areas of HIV research, homelessness, and substance use disorder. “My voice matters in research because I want others to have better health and more options than I had over 30 years ago! A lot was still unknown, and I needed a way to not only help myself but to find some hope in a grim situation. My experience has been overwhelmingly positive and life changing. Participating in research projects has allowed me to directly contribute. With each project I participate in, I am changing someone’s life. Knowing that, gives me hope and helps me believe in myself.”
	Jeronimo I. Barajas is a passionate and dedicated UCLA-CDU CFAR Community Advisory Board Member with a profound interest in research, outreach, and advocacy focused on HIV and other infectious diseases. His involvement in research studies such as the Reprieve study, Anchor study, M Study, and the CoViD-19 vaccine study demonstrates his unwavering dedication to advancing our understanding of infectious diseases and their management. Through these endeavors, he has shown not only his commitment to personal growth but also his desire to contribute to the betterment of global health. Beyond his research pursuits, Jeronimo’s passion for community support is evident through his past role as a facilitator for a Spanish support group dedicated to individuals living with HIV. Through his empathy, knowledge, and leadership, he has created a safe space for individuals to share their experiences, seek guidance, and build connections. Outside of his professional engagements, Jeronimo enjoys outdoors activities such as walking, hiking, reading,  meditating, and participating in support groups recharge and find inspiration. His holistic approach to life serves as a model for others seeking to make a meaningful impact in their communities. “My voice matters in research because: Advocacy plays a crucial role in raising awareness about HIV and promoting positive change, by fighting stigma, discrimination, and misinformation surrounding HIV. My voice can help highlight gaps in current research, healthcare, and support services.  My willingness to share my experiences and engage in HIV-related discussions can inspire others to do the same.”
	Patsy Lawson learned she was HIV positive in 1989 while pregnant with her son Raymond, who was born with HIV and died shortly after birth. After the death of her baby, she discovered another child, Lynnea, was positive as well, but Ms. Lawson’s inner strength helped her to move forward with her life even while mourning her son and dealing with her daughter’s diagnosis. After entering into HIV treatment, she became an advocate for her life, and the lives of other African American HIV+ women. Today Patsy and Lynnea are both activists in the prevention and treatment of HIV. Patsy served on the Los Angeles Commission on HIV in 2014 and continues to educate African American women about living with HIV. “Because I believe research makes a difference and saves lives. I am a strong Black woman, and this fight against HIV and AIDS has awakened a warrior in me. I stand with many others against stigma and ignorance towards individuals living with HIV and AIDS. I know I am not alone, and I want you to know you are not alone either.”
	Raul Amezquita is a 53 year old man who was born in Mexico, where he studied clothing design and was a karate instructor. Upon his arrival in Los Angeles, he attended Evans Adult School where he learned to speak English. Raul also completed high school, and has taken courses for Medical Office Assistant, Medical Billing, Dental Assistant, and Ortho Assistant, eventually working in a dental office for five years. At 40 years old, he became involved in HIV advocacy and activism, speaking up for those without a voice, including HIV+ immigrants, and those who don’t speak English. He spoke before the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors on the housing needs of HIV# people, as well as the California Legislature about HIV decriminalization and equality. Recently, Raul spoke on a panel at the prestigious 3rd National Ending the HIV Epidemic Partnerships for Research Meeting at UCLA. Raul says “It was a challenge, I was nervous, but I got support from the team. I was happy to do this.” Raul is a proud member of the UCLA CDU CFAR Community Advisory Board (CAB) and also participates in Clinical Trials and other HIV-related research. “Because as an immigrant, even though English is not my 1st language, and I didn’t grow up in the American culture, my participation in clinical research studies is crucial to finding a cure. I believe we need to talk more about clinical research, and if we do, you and I can make a difference.”
	Maria Alicia Scott is a 71-year-old cis-gender woman, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and friend, who’s been living with AIDS for almost 30 years. Maria has proudly served on the UCLA CDU CFAR Community Advisory Board (CAB) since it began in 2021. She has served for 4 years as the Chairperson of the Harbor UCLA ACTG clinical research studies CAB, where she currently holds the position of Secretary and has been a dedicated CAB member on the UCLAFAN CAB for the past 8 years. Maria joined her 1st clinical research study at the University of Hawaii in 1996, just after she tested positive for HIV, learned she only had 100 t-cells, and was diagnosed with AIDS at the same time. Maria has been participating in research ever since and plans to continue when she dies by donating her body to science. “My voice matters in research…because I believe research saved my life. I started participating in research when I was first diagnosed.  I was part of the research, where they learned how to dose medications for women.  I expect to continue to participate in research until the day I die, and then I’m going to donate my body to science so the research can continue saving lives even after I’m gone. My voice matters in research because I KNOW my participation in research continues to make a difference.”
	Syncere is a native of Asbury Park, New Jersey. His early life was heavily influenced by the death of his mother after a prolonged illness when she was only 25 years old. During that time, his matriarchal grandmother introduced Syncere to the teachings of Malcom X, Martin Luther King, Marcus Garvey, and other Civil Rights luminaries. Around the age of 10 and continuing through early adulthood, Syncere began attending the “Hole In The Wall” and “Camp Bright Feather” camps: these experiences introduced him to an overwhelming support system outside of his neighborhood as well as various individuals from all levels of society. In these spaces he learned leadership and a commitment to help others, becoming the “first camper turned counselor,” and eventually working full time as YMCA Camp Staff. As a college student in 2004, Syncere was offered the opportunity to attend a Ryan White Grant Writing Workshop in Virginia. Since then, he has attended numerous HIV/AIDS related conferences, workshops, and trainings, and is involved in many other socio/political causes to advance people in need. This led to a career as an Addictions & Corrections Counselor, and eventually a Case Worker at APLA, one of Los Angeles’ largest and well-known HIV/AIDS advocacy organizations. “Because it speaks to the degree of participation that I have in making sound decisions as a consumer, HIV positive man, and as a person. It plays an intricate role in what set of values my community lives by and would like to see exist. It sets the tone for what matters in research, and where people like me think the future of research and methods should go…not a number but a priority. Not performative but personal. Research by definition is observation, and my voice, added to that, makes it the well-defined outcome.”
	Susan Alvarado began her work in HIV prevention in 2010 during a two-year service in the Peace Corps. As a Peace Corps volunteer, providing HIV education to community members, health center patients, high school students and health promoters in rural Guatemala. In addition, provider trainings on HIV awareness, prevention and stigma reduction were provided to doctors, nurses and health administrators using PEPFAR (President Emergency Plan for AIDS Research) funds, a collaboration effort led by Susan. Upon her return to Los Angeles in 2012, Susan worked for two years providing HIV prevention to MSM (Men Who Have Sex with Men) in the Crystal Meth Harm Reduction Program at APLA Health. During this time, she was certified as an HIV Tester to provide HIV testing and prevention counseling to participants of the Crystal Meth Program. In 2016, Susan worked as a Research Study Coordinator at APLA Health for the first PrEP study targeting cis-gender women in L.A. County. In this role, Susan was responsible for outreaching, recruiting and counseling women who were participants of the study and taking PrEP to prevent the transmission of HIV. She worked with a multi-disciplinary team to ensure the study participants were staying adherent to their PrEP medication. In addition, Susan provided training and education to both the community and providers on PrEP and women that extended to Riverside and San Bernardino County. Susan also co-presented at local and national conferences on the topic of PrEP and women, including the United States Conference on HIV/AIDS. In 2022, Susan joined the UCLA CDU CFAR CAB as a community member providing her insight and experience with PrEP. “Because it helps the community. My voice matters in research because it might inspire other people in similar situations. My voice matters because I am a representative of my community.”
	Journey Moreno  is a proud Trans-Indigenous American woman who identifies with both her European and Latinx heritage.  She is one of 13 siblings, who lives her life authentically, as she has found that this is what has brought her peace & happiness.  Ever since she found out about her HIV diagnosis, her overall health, and desire to maintain an undetectable viral load (for over 9 years) have been very important to her.  Journey was part of a volunteer delegation, traveling to Guatemala (2015) and Thailand (2017) to teach English and ASL.  In 2021, Journey was featured in one of the UCLA Family AIDS Network’s  (UCLA FAN) Educational resources that focused on assisting youth who were transitioning from Adolescent to Adult Health Care Providers called: Transitioning Youth Education Series. (Which can be found at LAFAN.org under the Education tab). Journey believes that it is important for her to be “seen”, not in the shadows but in the light, with her face shown to the world.  This has not always easy for her, as the challenge of being publicly vulnerable is something that has been a constant struggle, but she still does it, because she BELIEVES that representation and visibility is VERY important.  She has chosen to use her voice because she also understands that the voices of Trans-Indigenous American women are worthy and deserve to be heard. Journey hopes to create a community chain of love and understanding to eliminate stigma.  Being part of the UCLA CDU CFAR CAB and having had the honor and privilege of hearing stories, information, and research, has been rewarding and she is convinced that it has contributed to her overall health and wellbeing.   She said, “Being in a space with, and a part of, a group of individuals who are intelligent, dedicated, and passionate about community is so inspiring.”  In her spare time, she enjoys dancing, including Femme Vogue, Old Way Vogue, Shuffle Dance, and Pole & Heels, as well as taking runway classes, having always been inspired to be a dancer and runway model. “Because transgender voices deserve seat at every table. Participating in research allows me to share my perspective as an Indigenous American Latinx mixed trans woman. Getting the care that I need is extremely important to me. It’s scary being publicly vulnerable, but visibility and representation are vital to eliminating the stigma surrounding HIV/AIDS and transgender care. I hope using my voice inspires others to do the same. I believe together we can lift each other up and all be heard!”
	Ke’alohilani Julianna Robinson is a nursing student currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) with the goal of becoming a nurse practitioner specializing in LGBTQ+ adolescent and pediatric health. Since 2018, she has actively advocated for youth leadership and healthcare, working to elevate youth voices in healthcare, research, and public policy. Her leadership began through the Youth Community Advisory Board (YCAB) at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, where she has contributed to initiatives focused on strengthening adolescent and young adult engagement in healthcare systems and research. She currently serves as the YCAB HIV Co-Chair, helping guide youth-informed discussions related to HIV prevention, treatment engagement, and community-based research priorities. In addition to her healthcare leadership, Ke’alohilani has been an active public policy advocate since high school. She has spoken before school boards and city councils to advocate for safer and more inclusive environments for young people. Her advocacy contributed to the successful installation of all-gender bathrooms across two school districts’ middle and high schools and helped prevent the implementation of a parental notification policy that would have required schools to disclose when students come out as transgender. Ke’alohilani previously served on the National Community Advisory Board (NCAB) through Children’s Hospital Los Angeles and is a member of the UCLA-Charles R. Drew University Center for AIDS Research (CFAR) Community Advisory Board. In these roles, she works alongside researchers and community partners to strengthen youth engagement in research, advance HIV prevention awareness, and support community-informed approaches to adolescent health research and care. Through her leadership and advocacy, Ke’alohilani continues to strengthen collaboration between communities, healthcare institutions, and researchers while ensuring that marginalized youth are meaningfully represented in health policy, research, and care delivery. “My voice matters in research because true progress demands the leadership of those most impacted by HIV and discrimination. As a transgender youth, my experiences reflect both deep resilience and the painful realities of stigma. By speaking up, I challenge systems that silence us, dismantle misconceptions, and ensure that science reflects the full diversity of our communities. My voice is not just a contribution; it’s a catalyst for equity, visibility, and lasting change.”