Colevia Carter is a prominent Black lesbian activist and champion for HIV/AIDS advocacy, LGBTQ+ rights, and racial equality. Based in Washington, D.C., she is recognized for her grassroots approach to activism, focusing on uplifting marginalized communities through education and direct community building.
Core Advocacy & Achievements
Carter's work is defined by several decades of service to the D.C. community:
- HIV/AIDS Activism: She was a key figure at the start of the epidemic, rallying women to the fight and organizing the first D.C. conference on Women and HIV/AIDS. She also served as the outreach coordinator for individuals in the sex industry and IV drug users during the height of the crisis.
- Pioneering Civil Service: In 1982, she was appointed by Mayor Marion Barry to the D.C. Human Rights Commission, becoming the first openly lesbian commissioner. She spent over 38 years in civil service ensuring government responsiveness to LGBTQ+ needs.
- Community Empowerment: Carter co-founded organizations to amplify Black queer voices, including the Langston Hughes-Eleanor Roosevelt Democratic Club and Sapphire Sapphos.
- Adolescent Health: In 1992, she was appointed D.C. State Adolescent Health Coordinator, directing the Synergy Adolescent Health Project to support children, adolescents, and women affected by HIV/AIDS.
Areas of Leadership
Throughout her career, she has focused on several key areas of systemic change:
- Educational Reform: Creating educational programs in D.C. area corrections facilities for inmates.
- Intersectionality: Advocating for the rights of women of color and creating leadership pathways for those traditionally excluded from influential spaces.
- Committee Leadership: Serving on the D.C. Women's Commission and the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Commission