Hydeia Broadbent - Community Activist Award

As part of the first generation, of child born HIV positive, not diagnosed with advancement to AIDS until age three. The prognosis was that she would not live past the age of five. Now at the age of 35, Hydeia spends her time spreading the message of HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention, by: promoting abstinence, safe-sex practices (for people who choose to have sex) and national HIV testing initiatives.

Hydeia Broadbent began her debut as an HIV/AIDS activist and public speaker at six years old. By 12 years old, Hydeia appeared on many national television programs including Oprah, 20/20, Good Morning America and “A Conversation with Magic Johnson” on Nickelodeon. She has been featured in prominent publications to include; New York Times, People, Essence, Ebony, Health Quest, POZ, National Geographic, and Real Health. Hydeia also co-graced the cover of TV Guide.

In January 2014, OWN featured Hydeia on “Oprah’s Where Are They Now”; Hydeia is one of the most requested updates by fans.

Over the last two decades, Hydeia has become a notable speaker and guest panelist at many of America’s most respected educational institutions including Duke University, Morehouse School of Medicine, UCLA, USC and Howard University just to name a few. Hydeia has been a featured speaker for the International AIDS Conference in 2006. Hydeia has been a featured speaker main stage at 2000 & 2007 Essence Music Festival as well as the 2007 AIDS Rally at the Potters House lead by Bishop TD Jakes, in Dallas, Texas.

Not since Ryan White has a young person spoke out, on an international level, so passionately about having living with AIDS. Hydeia is one of few young activists to follow in his footsteps and speak out on an international level about being affected by the HIV/AIDS virus. Broadbent is also considered a pioneer as the first African American youth to speak up and speak out about the epidemic. Ebony Magazine named Hydeia one of the Most Influential 150 African Americans in 2008. She has been honored with an American Red Cross Spirit Award and an Essence Award.

In 2010 Hydeia was invited by the BET Networks Chairman/CEO Debra Lee to participate as a panelist in the First Annual Leading Women’s Defined Summit in Washington, DC. In the same year, Hydeia was selected by BET as a M.A.D. Girl for Black Girls Rock.

Hydeia Broadbent also had the honor of being selected by The Grio a division of NBC News, The Root and Ebony Magazine as one of today’s Top 100 African American History Makers for Power 100 for 2011.

Today, Hydeia is a distinguished, international public speaker and HIV/AIDS activist with a mission to educate people of all ages. She has an innate ability to bond with any audience. When addressing the public about the issues of HIV/AIDS, her primary goal is to provide a clear understanding of how to avoid at-risk behaviors through self-examination and informed decision-making. She succinctly stated “...with all that we know about the virus, it is clear to me that contracting HIV/AIDS today is a choice and we can’t allow anyone the power to make that choice for us!”