Jennifer Jako

Jennifer Jako is proof that you can face adversity and win. In 1991, at age 18, she contracted HIV from a former boyfriend. She only had sex once and didn't use a condom. Upon finding out, she felt like a glass ball that had been dropped on concrete, shattering everywhere. Her family never thought that this would touch their lives. Jako tapped into her community resources, and now lives powerfully with HIV.

As a creative artist and activist, she makes HIV a reality. Facilitating honest communication through public speaking helps her fight this incurable pandemic. Every time she shares her message, Jako gains some ground against the disease that feeds on our vulnerabilities and eats away at her generation.

Jako needed to bring this disease closer to more people. Together with another HIV positive artist, she created the documentary film, "Blood Lines". They hit hard and true with a single expression formed with the voices of many. This portrayal of young people across the U.S. living with HIV premiered on MTV, World AIDS Day, December 1, 1998 and 1999. To date, over 12 million young people have seen the film.

AIDS is not over yet. HIV affects all of us. We cannot ignore the rising numbers of infections in our nation's youth, particularly young women. HIV/AIDS misinformation is dangerous. We need a wake-up call to do what is right for us as individuals and love ourselves in the choices we make. Jako is that wake-up call.

As a certified HIV/AIDS educator, Jako has produced and performed over 450 presentations to all levels of educational institutions and all forms of media, including various educational videos and public service announcements. In her nine years as an activist, she has spoken directly with over 100,000 young people. Her media appearances have reached well over 100 million people around the world.