Group provides Black women with free HIV testing, health resources during annual event

TeQuan Penny was just 16 years old when she was diagnosed with HIV. She got the virus from sexual activity with a partner who was “much older” than her, who didn’t disclose his positive status. When she got meningitis two years later, her immune system was so ill-equipped to battle the infection that she nearly died. Advertisement “And that’s how I ended up losing my vision, because I had a retinal detachment,” she said. “I see light and shadow, but I have no retina.” Advertisement Penny, now 44, was taking care of her 2-year-old daughter and battling depression when she became legally blind. With HIV treatment and support, Penny gradually became healthier and healthier, both physically and mentally. Breaking News Get the latest breaking news from North Texas and beyond. That now fuels her work at The Afiya Center where she provides support and resources to Black women living in poverty who are at high risk of contracting the virus. The Afiya Center, an HIV prevention and reproductive justice organization, held its 11th annual free testing event on June 29, the Saturday closest to National HIV Testing Day, which was June 27. Held in South Dallas, the event aims to...