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September marks the beginning of autumn and reminds us of the beauty of change. It invites us to reflect on what is shifting in our own lives and communities. Change can be challenging, but it also brings new opportunities for growth and renewal.
Speaking of change, due to circumstances beyond our control, we had to postpone the Health, Hope & Healing Wellness Fair in Columbus originally scheduled for August 30, 2025. The new date is November 1, 2025, and we are excited to bring much-needed community services to the residents of Columbus free of charge. Read more below.
September carries several awareness themes, from preparedness and suicide prevention to recovery and sickle cell awareness. It is also the beginning of our 30-day recognition of Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15–October 15), a time to celebrate the rich history, culture and contributions of Hispanic communities. October 15 is also National Latinx HIV/AIDS Awareness Day.
In this season of change, we also want to recognize Self-Care Awareness Month and highlight the importance of prioritizing physical and mental health. Taking care of ourselves makes us stronger as individuals and as a community, and it allows us to continue showing up with energy and purpose.
This month, we are honored to spotlight one of our valued community partners, Leisha McKinley-Beach, national HIV consultant and founder and CEO of the Black Public Health Academy.
As always, we invite you to actively participate — whether through volunteering at our events, joining us virtually or in person or welcoming us to your events in 2025. Your involvement is invaluable. Connect with us through our Georgia Thrives website contact form or on our social media platforms.
Let’s continue making these moments count and together we will make Georgia Thrive in 2025!
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We're Bringing Health, Hope & Healing to Columbus, GA
This is a call to all residents in and around Columbus to meet us at Valley Healthcare on Saturday, November 1, for our first Health, Hope & Healing Wellness Fair from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Valley Healthcare, located at 1600 Fort Benning Road in Columbus.
This is no ordinary event. Experts will be on hand to support physical, mental, social and spiritual well-being. Get a physical, dental and eye exam. Connect with organizations that promote healthier lifestyles. Arrive early for a morning workout, then stay for line dancing, prizes (must be present to win) and food trucks to feed the body.
- Free health screenings by the Georgia Department of Public Health Mobile Unit.
- Free dental and vision check-ups provided by Valley Healthcare.
- Free information on community resources for all ages.
- Free connections to mental and behavioral health organizations.
- Prayer and spiritual support from local churches.
It’s going to be a great day, and we don’t want you to miss it. Spread the word and encourage others to come. Due to space limits, advance registration is required. Beat the crowd and register now!
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Meet Leisha McKinley-Beach, MPH
National HIV Consultant | Founder & CEO, Black Public Health Academy
Leisha McKinley-Beach is a nationally recognized strategist, organizer and educator advancing community-anchored, person-centered HIV prevention. A founding member of PrEP in Black America, she has helped shape a national agenda that centers Black communities, especially Black women, in research, access and uptake of prevention tools. She is the founder of the Black Public Health Academy and the Atlanta Black Women Leaders on PrEP, building training pipelines and leadership tables that translate evidence into action.
In Florida, she co-created Sistas Organizing to Survive (SOS), a pioneering initiative that mobilizes Black women as leaders in HIV awareness, testing and PrEP access. Leisha is an original member of ViiV Healthcare’s Black Women’s Working Group, where she has contributed to program design and community partnership strategies. The working group created the signature initiative “Risk to Reasons.”
Her leadership has been recognized with induction into the University of Florida College of Health and Human Performance Hall of Fame (2023) and as a Gilead Sciences Black Women Champion of Change. She works across sectors to expand PrEP access, strengthen clinic culture and accelerate progress toward ending new HIV diagnoses.
| | We asked Leisha McKinley-Beach: With everything going on in the world right now, what keeps you grounded? | | |
Faith
Whether it’s prayer, meditation or even humming that gospel song your grandma used to sing, faith has carried us through and it still carries us today.
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Mental Health
We have to care for our minds by giving ourselves permission to rest, to breathe, to go to therapy if we need it. Rest is resistance, and protecting our peace is survival.
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Community
From Sunday dinners to front porch conversations, checking in on each other has always been part of who we are. Sometimes just a simple “you good?” can make all the difference.
| | For me, it’s faith, mental health and community support. That’s how we keep going and that’s how we stay strong. | | |
Dr. Bryant Goes To Washington!
In September, Dr. Lawrence Bryant represented our team at the 2025 United States Conference on HIV/AIDS (USCHA), held in Washington, D.C. This year’s theme, “Shining the Light on People Aging with HIV,” focused on honoring individuals living and aging with HIV while exploring the unique challenges they face.
The conference program highlighted diverse perspectives across plenaries, workshops, institutes and other offerings. A central goal was to create space for meaningful dialogue on how aging with HIV impacts people differently, and to learn directly from their lived experiences. Special attention was given to groups including the pre-protease inhibitor generation, post-protease inhibitor survivors and dandelions.
The program was intentionally designed to honor history, highlight resilience and examine solutions for the evolving needs of people aging with HIV. Dr. Bryant also hosted a workshop at the conference, adding to the collective conversation and advancing our commitment to equity, awareness and advocacy.
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Help Us Spread the Word
We’ve created a ready-to-share social media graphic for you, designed to spread the word about our upcoming Health, Hope & Healing Wellness Fair in Columbus, GA, on November 1. Sharing this on your personal platforms is a simple but powerful way to help us reach more people with these lifesaving messages. Please share with your network!
Suggested Caption:
If you are in or around Columbus, Ga., don’t miss this free event on November 1! Receive mental, physical, and spiritual support, along with door prizes and giveaways. Registration required: https://HHHWellnessFair.eventbrite.com
Suggested hashtags:
#HealthHopeHealing2025 #SHLI #WellnessFair #GeorgiaThrives #MSM
If you tag Satcher Health Leadership Institute, we will acknowledge you on our page!
| | | |  | Global Health Equity Summit at Morehouse School of Medicine | | | | | National Latinx HIV/AIDS Awareness Day | | | | | Health, Hope & Healing Wellness Fair (Columbus, GA) | | |
The Satcher Health Leadership Institute encourages everyone to get tested and know their status. Click here (pages 37-38) to view a listing of local area testing sites (Source: NIH-funded Center for AIDS Research at Emory University). Together, we can mark another milestone in the Black community's ever-evolving history of better tomorrows and brighter futures.
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