A Girl Like Me LIVE

On Wednesday, June 17, 2026, we held episode 44 of A Girl Like Me LIVE! This interactive conversation features cohosts and The Well Project staffers Ciarra "Ci Ci" Brown and Bridgette Picou, LVN, ACLPN, as they discuss planning for a vibrant and fulfilling future! In this episode, we dive deep into the transformative journey of aging positively and explore essential topics such as preparing for as...

The Well Project is committed to supporting agency and health literacy among women living with HIV. An important way we achieve this goal is by developing and providing access to HIV information that is culturally responsive, scientifically accurate, and women-focused. This is not always the case with information found online. On Thursday, May 21, 2026, we held the 43rd episode of A Girl Like Me L...

As women age with HIV or grapple with a new HIV diagnosis at any age, overall health matters. Understanding overall health means identifying conditions that can affect how we feel and take care of ourselves. Things like cardiac health, bone density, kidney disease, and diabetes directly impact our health, and women can benefit from understanding the relationship between HIV and co-occurring condit...

In our latest language survey, The Well Project, along with a group of expert advisors, sought to understand the extent to which women and nonbinary adults living with HIV experience stigmatizing language; its impact on the individual; and potential effects on engagement in the healthcare system. On Thursday, March 26, 2026, cohosts Olivia G. Ford and Bridgette Picou, LVN, ACLPN, discussed critica...

On Thursday February 26, 2026, we held the 40th episode of A Girl Like Me LIVE, delving into the transformative practice of mindfulness and its profound impact on women living with and vulnerable to HIV. This episode explored how mindfulness techniques can help women reclaim their power, mitigate stress, and foster a deeper connection with themselves. In an inspiring conversation, Ciarra "Ci Ci" B...

On January 22, 2026, we hosted a transformative episode of A Girl Like Me LIVE, hosted by Ciarra "Ci Ci" Brown and community advisory board co-chair Lynette Trawick. In this powerful discussion, we confronted the societal expectation that women must always be the "strong ones," exploring the mental and emotional toll this can place on those managing an HIV diagnosis. In this interactive session, o...

On December 17, 2025, we held another interactive live episode of  A Girl Like Me LIVE . Hosted by Bridgette Picou, LVN, ACLPN, and Dottie Rains-Dowdell, DHSc, the discussion explored the multifaceted journey of perimenopause and menopause for women living with HIV, covering symptom management, healthy coping strategies, and the power of community and storytelling in navigating this transition. We...

In episode 37 of A Girl Like Me LIVE, we emphasize the significance of being proactive in healthcare encounters. Cohosts Ciarra "Ci Ci" Covin, MS, HS – BCP and Bridgette Picou, LVN, ACLPN discuss preventative screenings and the importance of self-advocacy for women living with HIV. The conversation includes vital discussions around comorbidities like heart disease, diabetes, and bone health, equip...

The words people use to talk about HIV can affect the way people living with HIV feel about themselves. These words can also have an impact on how others view people living with HIV. In episode 36 of A Girl Like Me LIVE we explore the profound impact that language has on the wellness and overall health of women living with HIV. Co-hosts Ciarra "Ci Ci" Covin and Aryah Lester delve into the critical...

Bringing a new baby home can be a beautiful time – and an overwhelming one. The postpartum period often leaves women feeling unsupported and uncared for as they adjust to massive changes in their lives, relationships, and bodies. The "baby blues" and other intense feelings can be particularly impactful for women living with HIV, as remaining in care and on their treatment routine is vital for thei...

There are many ways in which physical activity can improve your health – it can build and maintain muscle, increase your endurance, and strengthen your heart. For people living with HIV, those benefits may improve overall quality of life. On Thursday, August 28, 2025, we held another enlightening episode of A Girl Like Me LIVE. The cohosts of this episode, Ciarra "Ci Ci" Covin and Kim Canady, led...

On Thursday July 31, 2025, 12pm ET / 9am PT, The Well Project hosted another powerful episode of A Girl Like Me LIVE as we discussed the importance of community for mothers living with HIV as they advocate for their children - and for themselves. Co-hosted by Ciarra "Ci Ci" Covin, Alyssa Crawford, and Heather O'Connor, this episode explores the value of building supportive networks, the role of ad...

The journey towards prioritizing self-care and self-love is an important one for all women. As we work together to destigmatize HIV and address health disparities for women living with the virus, a sense of peace with who we are becomes especially important as it can have a vital role in overall well-being. On Thursday June 26, 2025, we held episode 32 of A Girl Like Me LIVE. Cohosts Ciarra "Ci Ci...

Each year, National HIV Testing Day (#NHTD) is observed on June 27 to bring awareness to the importance of getting tested for HIV. The Well Project held a very special episode of A Girl Like Me LIVE on Wednesday, June 26, 2024, in commemoration of National HIV Testing Day, which delved into the diverse narratives and experiences of women living with and vulnerable to HIV. Co-hosts Ciarra "Ci Ci" C...

There are several terms with similar meanings that are used to describe HIV transmission at birth or early in life, and those who acquired HIV this way. Some terms come from the community itself, while others are more clinical – and some may be considered stigmatizing. It may be confusing for those who do not share this experience to know what term they ought to use. Many who were in attendance at...

Human sexuality exists on a dazzling spectrum. There are many ways that individuals express, and describe, their romantic, physical, and/or emotional attractions to other people. While everyone is unique in the way they experience (or do not experience) attraction, there are groupings within the spectrum of sexuality that people may use to label that aspect of their identity. Labels can be awkward...

Research shows that loneliness is a factor in how well people age. When you add the feelings of stigma and shame that sometimes accompany life with HIV, these feelings can be magnified and may also bring a sense of isolation. Quality of life and the desire to engage in care may be negatively impacted when one is experiencing loneliness related to their HIV diagnosis. On Thursday, April 27th at 12p...

On Wednesday, March 29th, 12pm ET The Well Project hosted the 27th episode of A Girl Like Me LIVE where Ciarra "Ci Ci" Covin was joined by community advisory board member Kim Canady to discuss the topic of HIV, women, and sexual pleasure. The discussion includes highlights from The Well Project's poster presentation "Facilitating Engagement about Sex and Pleasure Between Providers and Women Living...

The fourth session of Leadership Exchange LIVE (BEEEBAH Edition) features Ciarra “Ci Ci” Covin (The Well Project) and Lealah Pollock, MD, MS (University of California, San Francisco). Join this powerful discussion as they discuss recent updates to the Perinatal HIV Clinical Guidelines. Updates to the section Infant Feeding for Individuals with HIV in the United States now assert the need for share...

Historically, women across the gender spectrum have been insufficiently included and involved in HIV research. Such exclusion has resulted in limited knowledge about important aspects of women’s experiences of HIV that would inform their active participation in decision-making about their health and well-being. Join us for a special A Girl Like Me LIVE where Ci Ci is joined by Women’s Research Ini...

While the reasons are unclear, studies have shown that, in the general population, women are two times more likely to experience depression than men. Women living with HIV across the gender spectrum are even more likely than women in the general population to experience mental health challenges. The holiday season can be a tough time for many individuals, for many reasons, and having a community o...

Talking with adolescents and teens about sex and HIV can be anxiety provoking, but these conversations are so important as we seek to ensure that they are equipped with accurate and up-to-date information about HIV prevention and awareness. It may not be the easiest conversation to have, but there are ways that you can educate yourself and resources to help you! On October 26th at 12:00 pm ET, Ci...

September is recognized as Healthy Aging Month. Join for a special A Girl Like Me LIVE in honor of National HIV/AIDS and Aging Awareness Day (#NHAAD). In the US, the first cases of HIV emerged among young men, but today we know that the epidemic affects both women and men of all ages, including older women. Despite the tremendous improvements in HIV drugs that now enable many people to live long a...

The patient-provider relationship is established when a provider attends to the medical needs of a patient. Depending on a number of factors, this dynamic can have both positive and negative effects on the person receiving care. Strong patient-provider relationships established on trust, shared-decision making, and effective communication can have a positive impact on people living with HIV and th...

Health disparities are differences in health that are linked to unjust social conditions (income inequality, racism, gender bias, and many more). A health disparity can be a higher rate of a disease among certain groups than others – even, in many cases, despite ongoing prevention efforts. HIV is just one example of an epidemic that is made worse by health disparities. In the 21st episode of A Gir...