SERO PROJECT JUSTICE INSTITUTE RETURNS

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**FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE**

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June 22, 2026

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Media Contact: Eric Pfleider: eric.pfleider@seroproject.com

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SERO PROJECT JUSTICE INSTITUTE RETURNS

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Nashua, IA– It is with great pleasure that SERO announce the continuation of the Sero Project Justice Institute (SPJI) program after a brief hiatus. SPJI is a year-long program to develop new leaders in the HIV decriminalization movement. With the support of Gilead Sciences, SERO staff along with other seasoned community experts will provide learning opportunities to the fifth cohort of 12 up-and-coming HIV advocates from around the country who desire to advance their knowledge and skills to assist in their state-led HIV decriminalization coalitions.

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Darrin L. Harris stated, “As a past participant and the current facilitator, I know firsthand how vital SPJI is for shaping effective community leaders.  The program fundamentally enhanced my own work in advocacy, coalition building, and HIV decriminalization policy work.  Returning as the facilitator is an honor because I know the exact growth our next cohort will experience.  Participants can expect a dynamic space that elevates their capacity to share knowledge and lead systemic change."

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SERO will host an informational webinar on the application process on Tuesday, August 4, 2026 at 6-7:30 pm ET, 5-6:30 pm CT, 4-5:30 pm MT, 3-4:30 pm PT. Additional information about the program will be addressed during the webinar. After the webinar, the application will become available along with the recording. Applications must be submitted no later than Tuesday, August 25, 2026 and SERO will announce the selected participants toward the end of September.

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Register today for the “How to Apply webinar”.: https://bit.ly/2026SPJI_info

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More about SERO Project Justice Institute: These advocates will have the opportunity to work with SERO staff and community experts on coalition building, engage with state leaders who have modernized their laws to discuss how coalitions gradually move forward with HIV criminalization reforms and research their state legislative pages in order to lobby and hold stakeholders accountable with efficiency and tact. This year-long program will be conducted with staff and experts providing hands-on tools and ideas for advocating for HIV criminalization reform—a topic that informs community members of state statutes that threaten both public health and civil liberties. SERO staff, faculty, and participants will continue to develop the SPJI Toolkit that was introduced earlier this year. An update will be released at the end of the yearlong institute.  

SERO Project saw a need to organize the community with the tools needed for state- level advocacy work, which is where the inception of SPJI first began. Staff members at SERO Project understand the importance of storytelling and center people living with HIV to a position of leadership in order to address HIV stigma, criminalization of PLWH, mass incarceration, racism, and social injustice. This cohort is composed of multi-intersectional community leaders living with HIV from across the country.

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