WASHINGTON, D.C. – Howard University announced today the convening of the 16th Annual Howard University International Conference on Stigma, scheduled for Nov. 18-20, 2025. This year's theme is “Beyond the Labels: Living and Thriving.” The purpose of the conference is to end negative beliefs and unfounded perceptions that create stigma around HIV, mental health, sickle cell disease, epilepsy, substance use, and other intersecting health issues, particularly those disproportionately affecting marginalized communities. 

Each year, the International Conference on Stigma brings together a full roster of researchers, educators, policymakers, activists, faith leaders, students, youth, and community leaders to discuss strategies to overcome health-related bias, which impedes treatment and prevention. This year’s conference will include open discussions on aging with HIV, substance use recovery, mental health, autism, and other topics. It will also include a cultural humility training session led by Chantelle Fitzgerald of Mindset Strategies LLC, titled “Breaking Barriers, Building Bridges: The Role of Cultural Humility in Ending Stigma.” Virtual conference sessions will take place Nov. 18-19, and an in-person and livestreamed main session titled “Breaking the Silence: How AI is Helping Us Talk about Mental Health” will be held on location at Howard University Hospital’s W. Lester Henry Auditorium Thursday, Nov. 20.  

“Stigma devalues the affected person in the society and is a secret killer,” said Sohail Rana, M.D., professor of pediatrics at the Howard University College of Medicine and conference director. “It prevents people from seeking timely screening, treatment, and continued care, leading to poor quality of life, mental health problems, and high mortality rates. Stigma kills. Love heals. Cultural humility training can go a long way to mitigate stigma and improve health outcomes.” 

A women-focused fashion show sponsored by the Empower Project, “RAHMA on the Runway,” will take place ahead of the conference this Friday, Nov. 14,  from 6 to 9 p.m. at Howard University Blackburn Center, and will include vendors, youth performances, and HIV prevention education. Registration information on both events and a complete conference agenda can be found at www.whocanyoutell.org. In addition, the winners of the HU Stigma Art contest will be announced Nov. 19. For more than 10 years, the contest has provided an opportunity for creatives to submit original essays, poetry, songs, and other visual art addressing various stigma-related topics. 

Notable speakers include: 

• Rana Family Speaker Series for Social Justice in Health Keynote Speaker: Rukhsana M. Chaudhry, PSY.D., George Washington University 
• Tori Cooper, B.A., MPH, director of strategic outreach and training at Human Rights Campaign, HIV advocate and health and equity consultant, and Stigma Warrior Award recipient for 2025 
• Ikenna Nwakamma, MPH, Howard University scientific abstract winner 2025 (technical lead, NINERELA+), Nigeria 
• Joy Binion, M.S., mental health advocate, Anti-Stigma Project, On Our Own of Maryland Inc. 
• Oluwakemi Oguntimehin, B.S., “sickle cell warrior” and patient advocate, Nigeria 
• Dr. Ulysses Burley III, founder, UBtheCURE LLC, and president, U.S. HIV & AIDS Faith Coalition, Chicago 

Conference sponsors include Gilead Sciences, the Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation LIFEBEAT project, Research Data and Communication Technologies, EMD Serono, NASTAD, the Rana Pediatric Fund, and Theratechnologies. Major collaborators include HealthHIV, Howard University School of Social Work, RAHMA, and Empower Project.