October 24, 2025

Episode 3 of The Recruiters with Tom Duane features HIV advocate Robert in a conversation about justice, stigma, and the fight to end HIV criminalization. Filmed at Manhattan Neighborhood Network, the episode pairs Robert's lived experience with Duane’s signature wit and political insight, offering an honest and inspiring look at advocacy, resilience, and the power of visibility.

October 23, 2025 2:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada) Virtual

This session in our Public Health Training Series explores how storytelling and media can shape public health outcomes and drive meaningful policy change.

It invites participants to consider: How can we use storytelling to make complex public health issues understandable, relatable, and actionable?

Featuring an outstanding panel of advocates and communications professionals, this discussion offers practical insights for those seeking to strengthen their capacity to communicate effectively, mobilize communities, and influence policy agendas.

Together, they will unpack strategies for translating data and policy into narratives that inspire action and advance health equity.

October 17, 2025

Robert joins comedian Paul Gilmartin, host of The Mental Illness Happy Hour, a weekly podcast that features candid conversations with comedians, artists, friends, and the occasional expert, to discuss his personal journey and the criminalization of HIV.

In this episode, Robert opens up about his unexpected arrest following his HIV diagnosis, his experience of incarceration, and what it means to live with HIV in the modern era.

October 14, 2025 12:15 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada) Virtual

One sentence. A lifetime of resilience.

Nearly two decades ago, Robert’s encounter with the criminal legal system changed the course of his life. What began as an experience rooted in stigma and punishment became the foundation of his purpose: to challenge injustice, confront #HIV criminalization, and reclaim the agency, leadership, and healing that “systems” so often deny.

Robert will speak at Beyond the Sentence: Black Voices on Incarceration and Resilience, a fireside chat hosted by the Northeast Black Law Students Association (NEBLSA). The conversation will shed light on the realities of the carceral system, the weight of stigma, and the ongoing pursuit of freedom and restoration.

Future lawyers and advocates are encouraged to join this important dialogue on incarceration, identity, and the power of perseverance.