PhD Student
Louisiana State University
DeKeitra Griffin, licensed clinical social worker (LCSW), started as an advocate for HIV/AIDS as a senior in high school by taking friends to their appointments and becoming informed about HIV. He volunteered with local organizations within the field of HIV in Dallas-Fort Worth, TX, and continued the service while attending school in Pittsburgh, PA. DeKeitra experienced a traumatic event that led to him being diagnosed with HIV May 12, 2011. He decided to move home to Dallas and finish school while changing majors from neuroscience to psychology after sever health complications. DeKeitra studied at the University of Texas at Arlington by completing a bachelor’s degree in psychology, master’s degree in social work, and master’s degree in public administration. He serves as a board member for the Professional Association of Social Workers in HIV/AIDS, steering committee member for the United States People Living with HIV Caucus, and steering committee member for the Louisiana Coalition on Criminalization and Health. DeKeitra is currently attending Louisiana State University as a PhD student within the school of social work. He uses his lived experiences including living with HIV, survivor of date rape, former sex worker, facing homelessness, and survivor of intimate partner violence to become a stronger advocate with his studies. DeKeitra aims to be a researcher for the LGBTQIA+ community by focusing on youth, race, intimate partner violence, sex work, mental health, substance use, and HIV.
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