Joyce Johnson

Joyce hails from New Orleans, Louisiana where she graduated from South Terrebonne High School. She relocated to Wesley Chapel, Florida and worked as a school custodian at Wesley Chapel Christian Academy for many years before moving to Tampa, Florida.

Despite her busy working schedule, she volunteered at the Metro Inclusive Health Center for almost10 years, working with clients in HIV outreach, prevention, testing and education. Joyce also volunteered with DACCO, a drug and alcohol treatment center in Tampa, and Frances House, which is another Community Center in Tampa that assists those living with HIV. She was a voting member on the West Central Florida Ryan White Committee for 8 years and is a dedicated HIV Peer Advocate which allowed her to attend AIDS WATCH twice- advocating for the rights of those living with HIV. Joyce is the recipient of several certificates and awards for her tireless volunteer work in HIV, including giving out condoms in bars in her community every weekend for over six years. Perhaps the award that means the most to Joyce was the Mother of the Year Award she received.

Joyce underscores that the genuine love and care she feels for her community is the driving force that fuels her to do whatever she can to help end HIV for as long as she is alive and able. In her words, "I believe we should NEVER give up!!"