You can read the official NMAC press release here.

As Black History Month wraps up, NMAC is proud to announce that Harold Phillips is coming home! Starting April 1st, Harold will begin a new role as NMAC’s new Deputy Director for Programs. Back in the 90’s, Harold provided capacity building for NMAC’s CDC-funded cooperative agreement. He returns after more than two decades working at HRSA, PEPFAR, HHS, and, most recently, the White House Office of National AIDS Policy. In his new role, Harold will oversee NMAC’s Policy, Coalition, Center, Communications, and Treatment divisions. This is a full circle moment, and I couldn’t be happier.

Harold’s unique skill set extends beyond NMAC to the larger HIV movement. As our Deputy, he strengthens our mantra to “lead with race” in the urgent fight for health equity and racial justice for the whole movement. As the author and former Chief Operations Officer of HHS’s effort to end the HIV epidemic, he understands how things work internally at the federal government. As the AIDS Czar at the White House, he was part of critical discussions that can give nuanced insights to the HIV movement’s collective policy efforts. Harold and NMAC will comply with all White House rules for former staff.

In his new role, Harold is the spokesperson for the agency. As a Black gay man living with HIV, he is the future. While NMAC has many staff living with HIV, Harold’s leadership role at the agency is one of the ways the agency continues to solidify our commitment to people living with HIV, particularly gay men of color. He will make his debut for NMAC at the Opening Plenary of the 2024 Biomedical HIV Prevention Summit on April 19-20 in Seattle. Please come to cheer him on in this new role.

My 35 years as Executive Director of NMAC have overlapped almost the entire HIV epidemic. So, I know the perils and the pressures of leading and sustaining a community organization, especially one that represents some of the most vulnerable populations. While I’m not ready to leave, I also know the success and longevity of NMAC and our movement is only possible when we nurture and support the next generation of leaders. Bringing Harold into NMAC’s fold secures our future during these terrifying political times and beyond. Who knows what will happen in this election year? But what I do know is, with our collective work and lives under attack, the HIV movement needs and deserves trusted leaders who have a proven track record of success.

Yours in the struggle,
Paul Kawata