Trace: A COVID-19 Memorial

Professor Boyce is actively involved in community leadership, serving as the Second Vice President of the NAACP Mid-Manhattan Branch, where he contributes to addressing social justice issues within the community. He also co-hosted a virtual lecture series on COVID-19 vaccines, demonstrating his commitment to public health education. Beyond his professional commitments, Professor Boyce is deeply rooted in his community, participating in various initiatives aimed at fostering development and support for residents in Upper Manhattan.

Deneane Brown-Blackmon is a dedicated public servant with over two decades of experience in community development, labor relations, and social services. Since 2008, she has served as the Director of the Upper Manhattan Office of Rent Administration at New York State Homes and Community Renewal, where she leads a team that assists tenants and property owners in rent-controlled and rent-stabilized buildings. Prior to this, she worked as a Labor Relations Mediator at NYC Health and Hospital Corporation and as Director of Community Affairs for State Senator David A. Paterson. Throughout her career, Deneane has been committed to serving vulnerable populations through various roles, including at Harlem Congregations for Community Improvement and Safe Horizons. A lifelong Harlem resident, she is deeply involved in her community, serving on multiple boards, including the Harlem YMCA, and is an active member of local organizations such as the NAACP and the Harlem Justice Center.

Dr. Cheryl Smith was deeply moved by the stigma surrounding HIV patients during her medical rotation in the late 1980s, inspiring her to focus on HIV care. Over the past 30 years, she has become a dedicated HIV-AIDS doctor in New York City, not only treating patients but also advocating for social support and leading state education and prevention efforts. In 1999, Dr. Smith established one of New York’s first HIV/hepatitis C programs at North General Hospital, and later joined NYC Health + Hospitals/Gotham Health in 2014, where she has earned widespread admiration for her expertise and patient partnerships. Dr. Smith’s work has shifted to addressing the social determinants of health, like housing, as she treats nearly 150 HIV patients, most of whom have undetectable viral loads. She is also an associate medical director at the New York State Department of Health’s AIDS Institute and has become a national expert on HIV disparities in African American and Hispanic communities.