Jewel Thais-Williams was a pioneering activist and philanthropist who championed Black LGBTQ+ rights, HIV/AIDS care, and minority health, notably founding the iconic Catch One nightclub, the Minority AIDS Project, and the Village Health Foundation. She provided crucial support for marginalized communities, particularly during the 1980s AIDS crisis.
Key details of her championship:
- LGBTQ+ and Racial Equality: As a Black lesbian, she established the Catch One nightclub in 1973 (often referred to as Jewel's Catch One), which acted as a safe haven for Black LGBTQ+ individuals facing discrimination in other venues.
- HIV/AIDS Advocacy: During the AIDS crisis, she co-founded the Minority AIDS Project in 1987 to provide education and resources to underserved communities of color, served on the board of AIDS Project Los Angeles, and co-founded Rue’s House, a shelter for women and children with HIV/AIDS.
- Community Health: She founded the Village Health Foundation, a non-profit dedicated to providing holistic, affordable healthcare to low-income residents, addressing issues like nutrition, diabetes, and obesity.
She was recognized for her work with the naming of "Jewel Thais-Williams Square" in Los Angeles.