In 1969, a St. Louis teen named Robert Rayford became the first person in America known to have died of HIV/AIDS. His story was the starting point for Impact HIV/AIDS, a longterm initiative launched last year by the Griot Museum of Black History. The project combines art, culture, history, public health events, lectures and more, with the goal of documenting and raising awareness of the ongoing impact of HIV/AIDS on St. Louis' African American community. Stef Russell spoke with museum founder and executive director Lois Conley and museum assistant Ian Darnell about past events, the exhibit opening later this fall, and the future of the project.

https://www.thegriotmuseum.com
https://www.facebook.com/TheGriotTellsOurStory/
https://www.stlmag.com/history/architecture/the-historic-griot-museum-hosts-events/
http://drainmag.com/aids-1969-hiv-history-and-race/?fbclid=IwAR0kmBuWHw6pvr8BlQGnom_eHtY13Q6pGgKWASEgKxd10GYS_lGMGbxt1yM#ftn16
https://www.kff.org/hivaids/fact-sheet/black-americans-and-hivaids-the-basics/
https://www.stlmag.com/The-Pre-Pandemic-Puzzle/