Thriving Through Service: How HIV Gave Kennedi Lowman Her Purpose [Exclusive] - Page 2
Thriving as a Long-Term Survivor
In honor of the upcoming National HIV Testing Day (June 27), Kennedi is reflecting not just on how far she’s come, but on the power of survival itself.
“Back in the ’80s, people were given two weeks to get their affairs in order,” she said. “So if you made it to week three, you were a survivor.” For Kennedi, being eight years into her journey means something monumental. “When I meet women who’ve been living with HIV for 15 or 20 years, I think—yes, I’m going to make it, too.”
Her work doesn’t stop at LOTUS. Kennedi is also a member of the HIV Health Equity Task Force at the Morehouse School of Medicine’s Satcher Health Leadership Institute, lending her voice to national conversations on treatment access, stigma, and care equity.
Her Message to Black Women
One of the most damaging myths Kennedi Lowman is determined to dismantle is the idea that women living with HIV don’t—or shouldn’t—have sex. “There are plenty of serodiscordant relationships,” she explains, referring to partnerships where one person is HIV-positive and the other is not. “I’m not putting myself in a box. I know what I like, and I’m going to speak up about it.”
For Kennedi, living with HIV became a catalyst for deeper self-awareness. It taught her how to advocate for her own pleasure, to set boundaries, and to speak unapologetically about her needs. “If you’re not walking away from sex feeling good—feeling seen and satisfied—then maybe that experience wasn’t for you. Or maybe it’s time to speak up and ask for what you need.”
Her passion for empowerment runs deep, especially when it comes to Black women navigating their own health journeys. Kennedi’s advocacy is rooted in real, lived experiences—like the woman she met at her very first community HIV event who couldn’t even bring herself to say the word “HIV.” That same woman went on to earn her GED, buy a home, and eventually teach healthy relationship workshops for others living with HIV. “She built herself up,” Kennedi recalls with pride. “And I had the honor of witnessing that transformation.”
To women who are newly diagnosed, her advice is clear and compassionate: “Find your people. Get support. You don’t have to carry this alone.” And for women who are HIV-negative? The message is just as powerful: “Use your voice. Stand firm in your truth. Get tested. And never forget—you deserve both pleasure and protection.”
Kennedi also reminds everyone, regardless of status, to take charge of their health. “If you can’t be honest with your provider about what’s really going on, then that’s not the provider for you. Find one who respects your truth.”
Today, Kennedi isn’t just surviving—she’s thriving. Not in spite of her diagnosis, but because of it. “HIV made me stronger. It helped me find my voice,” she says. And now, she uses that voice to help others find theirs. “Life is for the living,” she says with conviction. “And I’m gonna live it.”
Ashley Cobb is a sexual wellness expert and writer. This piece was created in honor of National HIV Testing Day.
Observed annually on June 27, National HIV Testing Day serves as a reminder of the importance of knowing your HIV status. Early detection saves lives, helps prevent the spread of disease, and connects people to the care they deserve. This year’s theme is “Level Up Your Self-Love: Check Your Status”—because taking care of yourself starts with your health.
Find free, confidential testing near you at gettested.cdc.gov.
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