Shop Chats: Community, Conversation, and Connection — A Powerful Series Comes to a Close

As we close out the Shop Chats series with Planned Parenthood of Metropolitan Washington, DC, supported by ViiV Healthcare’s Positive Action program, I’m reflecting on the power of intentional, community-centered conversations.

Over the course of this series, we created spaces where community members could gather in familiar, stigma-free environments to talk openly about HIV prevention, testing, treatment, and sexual health. Through candid dialogue, interactive activities, and culturally resonant approaches, we aimed to meet people where they are — literally and figuratively.

Each session offered something unique:

• Breaking myths around sexual health and PrEP

• Demonstrating prevention tools in accessible ways

• Encouraging honest conversations about stigma, pleasure, and protection

• Sharing resources for testing, care, and ongoing support

The Shop Chats model reminded us that HIV prevention is not just about information — it’s about connection, trust, and empowerment. By centering community voices and fostering open dialogue, we saw participants walk away with increased confidence, new knowledge, and a sense of belonging.

I’m deeply grateful to Planned Parenthood of Metropolitan Washington, DC for their partnership, and to ViiV Healthcare for their sponsorship and commitment to innovative community programming.

While this series has officially wrapped, the conversations don’t end here. The insights and relationships built through Shop Chats will continue to fuel future community engagement efforts aimed at advancing equity, expanding access, and ending the HIV epidemic.