AIDS Walk South Dallas Supports Community, Raises Awareness and Funds

Annual event aims to break stigma around HIV/AIDS and connect people to critical healthcare services.

Mar. 21, 2026 at 6:27pm

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The 16th annual AIDS Walk South Dallas 5k event brought together supporters, allies, and community leaders to raise awareness and support for people living with HIV/AIDS in North Texas. The walk featured on-site testing, counseling, and resource booths from over a dozen HIV/AIDS prevention groups, with organizers saying the event helps reach people who may not otherwise access these services.

Why it matters

Dallas County has over 21,000 people living with HIV/AIDS, and organizers say the annual walk is crucial to breaking the stigma around the disease and connecting those in need with vital healthcare services and resources.

The details

The AIDS Walk South Dallas event featured a 5k walk down Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, with participants including those diagnosed with HIV, allies, and community leaders. Organizers said the walk is about more than just the event itself - it's an effort to raise awareness, promote healthcare services, and show support for the HIV/AIDS community in North Texas.

  • The 16th annual AIDS Walk South Dallas took place on Saturday, March 21, 2026.

The players

Christopher Walker

A board member with the AIDS Walk South Dallas organization who was diagnosed with HIV in 2017 after graduating college.

Auntjuan Wiley

The President and CEO of AIDS Walk South Dallas.

Helen Zimba

A board member with AIDS Walk South Dallas.

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What they’re saying

“In 2017, I was diagnosed with HIV, after graduating college. HIV is still very much a taboo topic, folks are not having conversations around HIV, and society makes people living with HIV feel like they are less than and not worth it.”

— Christopher Walker, Board Member

“Some of the people that come to this walk would never walk into a clinic, would never walk into a hospital, would never walk into an organization, but they will come out and participate in this community event.”

— Auntjuan Wiley, President and CEO, AIDS Walk South Dallas

“People need to know that it goes not discriminate, anybody can get HIV. They need to know people are people, everybody needs help.”

— Helen Zimba, Board Member

What’s next

Organizers say they will continue to host the annual AIDS Walk South Dallas event to raise awareness, promote healthcare services, and support the local HIV/AIDS community.

The takeaway

The AIDS Walk South Dallas demonstrates the power of community-driven efforts to break stigma, connect people to vital resources, and support those living with HIV/AIDS. By bringing together supporters, allies, and those directly impacted, the event plays a crucial role in addressing this public health issue in North Texas.