A Girl Like Me LIVE

The words people use to talk about HIV can affect the way people living with HIV feel about themselves. These words can also have an impact on how others view people living with HIV. In episode 36 of A Girl Like Me LIVE we explore the profound impact that language has on the wellness and overall health of women living with HIV. Co-hosts Ciarra "Ci Ci" Covin and Aryah Lester delve into the critical role that words play in shaping our identities and fostering connections within both personal and community contexts.

We reference our current survey, "Words Matter: Experiences of Stigmatizing Language Among Women Living with HIV" which seeks to illuminate how the language used in healthcare settings can significantly influence the lives and care experiences of women living with HIV.

Watch as we highlight the evolution of language in our communities and discuss how choosing the right words can enhance women's healthcare experiences and empower them as they navigate lives with HIV. Whether you are a provider, advocate, or simply passionate about inclusive language, this episode is for you!

Don't miss this important conversation on the importance of language and its impact on the wellness of women living with HIV.

Bringing a new baby home can be a beautiful time – and an overwhelming one. The postpartum period often leaves women feeling unsupported and uncared for as they adjust to massive changes in their lives, relationships, and bodies. The "baby blues" and other intense feelings can be particularly impactful for women living with HIV, as remaining in care and on their treatment routine is vital for their own and their babies' health.

Check out this episode of A Girl Like Me LIVE, held on September 25, 2025, as cohosts and mothers Ciarra "Ci Ci" Covin and Ashley Cason dive into a discussion about the challenges many parents face during the postpartum period, explore valuable resources, and discuss practical strategies to navigate this unique journey.

Whether you're a caregiver, mother, or simply want to support one as she experiences the postpartum period, this conversation is for you!

There are many ways in which physical activity can improve your health – it can build and maintain muscle, increase your endurance, and strengthen your heart. For people living with HIV, those benefits may improve overall quality of life.

On Thursday, August 28, 2025, we held another enlightening episode of A Girl Like Me LIVE. The cohosts of this episode, Ciarra "Ci Ci" Covin and Kim Canady, led a discussion around the vital role of physical activity and exercise in our lives, highlighting how motivation from peers can make all the difference. Regular physical activity may not only enhance your appearance but also significantly boost mental well-being. Whether you're a fitness enthusiast or just starting your journey, this discussion will inspire you to prioritize your health and happiness.

On Thursday July 31, 2025, 12pm ET / 9am PT, The Well Project hosted another powerful episode of A Girl Like Me LIVE as we discussed the importance of community for mothers living with HIV as they advocate for their children - and for themselves. Co-hosted by Ciarra "Ci Ci" Covin, Alyssa Crawford, and Heather O'Connor, this episode explores the value of building supportive networks, the role of advocacy in day-to-day life, and much more!

From creating supportive environments for our children to self-care routines that empower us, you're not going to want to miss this conversation with these phenomenal mothers. 

The journey towards prioritizing self-care and self-love is an important one for all women. As we work together to destigmatize HIV and address health disparities for women living with the virus, a sense of peace with who we are becomes especially important as it can have a vital role in overall well-being.

On Thursday June 26, 2025, we held episode 32 of A Girl Like Me LIVE. Cohosts Ciarra "Ci Ci" Covin, MS, HS – BCP and Bridgette Picou, LVN, ACLPN led an empowering discussion exploring their own personal stories and insights, the essential themes of self-love and self-care, and offered practical techniques for prioritizing your mental and emotional health amidst the challenges life brings.

Each year, National HIV Testing Day (#NHTD) is observed on June 27 to bring awareness to the importance of getting tested for HIV. The Well Project held a very special episode of A Girl Like Me LIVE on Wednesday, June 26, 2024, in commemoration of National HIV Testing Day, which delved into the diverse narratives and experiences of women living with and vulnerable to HIV.

Co-hosts Ciarra "Ci Ci" Covin, Bre Azanedo, Ashley Cason, and Heather O'Connor brought a wealth of perspectives, each offering unique insights and empowering stories that shed light on the importance of HIV testing. Together, the co-hosts engaged in heartfelt discussions, shared personal anecdotes, and offered invaluable advice on navigating healthcare and advocacy within the context of HIV. 

There are several terms with similar meanings that are used to describe HIV transmission at birth or early in life, and those who acquired HIV this way. Some terms come from the community itself, while others are more clinical – and some may be considered stigmatizing. It may be confusing for those who do not share this experience to know what term they ought to use. Many who were in attendance at the 2023 US Conference on HIV/AIDS were able to witness a historical moment where the community itself identified that they are to be referred to as “Lifetime Survivors” and/or “Dandelions”. More listening, more opportunities and spaces for women who acquired HIV early to connect – and more following the lead of women who have spent a lifetime figuring out, with few models is essential.

Join The Well Project for a very special episode of A Girl Like Me LIVE where Ci Ci is joined by three dynamic women: Kim Canady and Dandelions, Inc. Co-Executive Directors Antoinette Jones and Derinthia Williams to discuss the importance of identity, language, The Dandelions Movement, the US Conference on HIV/AIDS recap, and more!

This episode is going to be a great one! We can’t wait to see you there!

Human sexuality exists on a dazzling spectrum. There are many ways that individuals express, and describe, their romantic, physical, and/or emotional attractions to other people. While everyone is unique in the way they experience (or do not experience) attraction, there are groupings within the spectrum of sexuality that people may use to label that aspect of their identity. Labels can be awkward – though they can also help people find others who identify in similar ways, to find community or intimate partnership.

The Well Project invites you to join us for the 29th episode of A Girl Like Me LIVE for a discussion on women, sexuality, and HIV co-hosted by Ciarra "Ci Ci" Covin and community advisory board member Marnina Miller. These two powerful advocates engaged in a lively discussion on points related to how sexuality is defined sexuality and stigma, steps that one can take to find a community of support, and so much more! You are not going to want to miss this powerful discussion as The Well Project celebrates Pride Month!

Research shows that loneliness is a factor in how well people age. When you add the feelings of stigma and shame that sometimes accompany life with HIV, these feelings can be magnified and may also bring a sense of isolation. Quality of life and the desire to engage in care may be negatively impacted when one is experiencing loneliness related to their HIV diagnosis. On Thursday, April 27th at 12pm ET, The Well Project streamed the first Women Like Us - Aging Positively episode of A Girl Like Me LIVE where The Well Project’s stakeholder liaison, Bridgette Picou, LVN, ACLPN was joined by long-time The Well Project collaborator and fierce advocate, Gina Brown, RSW as they discussed the different types of loneliness, factors unique to women that can increase these feelings, and the importance of building community as we age with HIV. This interactive discussion explores what contributes to loneliness, how women’s experiences of living with HIV can compound the problem, and what women can do to balance these feelings and learn to age positively! The dynamic conversation between these two advocates is one you won’t want to miss.

On Wednesday, March 29th, 12pm ET The Well Project hosted the 27th episode of A Girl Like Me LIVE where Ciarra "Ci Ci" Covin was joined by community advisory board member Kim Canady to discuss the topic of HIV, women, and sexual pleasure. The discussion includes highlights from The Well Project's poster presentation "Facilitating Engagement about Sex and Pleasure Between Providers and Women Living With HIV" at the 2023 International workshop on HIV and Women in Seattle, Washington, as well as presentations at USCHA and SisterSong's "Let’s Talk About Sex" conferences in 2022. Ci Ci and Kim discussed some key takeaways from the presentations, reactions from health care providers and community members, and some of The Well Project's SHE/HER/THEY educational resources. Don't miss this interactive and candid conversation as we continue to advocate for advancing HIV programming and care that is inclusive of the "whole woman".