He Is Valuable

He Is Valuable, Inc. (HIV, Inc.) was founded in 2015 by Richard A. Hutchinson, Jr. and Kendall T. Boone, Jr. in Atlanta, Georgia. HIV, Inc. began with photos of two Black Queer Men in the shower showing love, intimacy and passion beyond a person’s HIV status was something to be celebrated. Using the hashtag #HeisValuable, the campaign addressed sexual health, mental health, relationship development, community building, and a host of other issues faced by the Black Queer Male community. Quickly, the social media campaign grew into a social movement. 

Through programs such as Chit Chat & Chew, and Random Kickbacks, HIV, Inc. has used a value-centered approach to building community. Our programming seeks to celebrate resilience, promote creativity and remember historical contributions to encourage Black Queer Men to make decisions, spark conversation and create change in their lives. 

In the summer of 2018, Richard galvanized a group of talented Black Queer Men and shared the fullness of the He Is Valuable vision during a retreat. These men, known as the Architects of He Is Valuable, are as follows: Ashston Hester, Richard Hutchinson, Courtney Johnson, Myles Mason, Daryon Mccurdy, Antonius Minniefield, D' Angelo Morrison, Aryn Prince, Ashton Reynolds and Jay I Simpson. 

Under the advisement of Montee Evans, a pioneer in the community, the Architects worked together to develop a formal mission, structure, and identity for the organization. This work was instrumental in moving HIV, Inc. to the next phase: becoming a non-profit organization. 

On October 10, 2018, He Is Valuable was incorporated as a nonprofit entity in the State of Georgia. On November 2, 2018, HIV, Inc. was recognized by the IRS as a 501(c)3 tax-exempt organization. 

As a non-profit organization, HIV, Inc. has increased its capacity to provide a higher level of quality in our programs and events while also expanding our mission to include linkage to care and advocacy.