DeKeitra Griffin

DeKeitra Griffin, licensed clinical social worker (LCSW), started as an advocate for HIV/AIDS as a senior in high school by taking friends to their appointments and becoming informed about HIV. He volunteered with organizations in Dallas-Fort Worth, TX, and continued the service while attending college in Pittsburgh, PA. DeKeitra experienced a traumatic event which led to his HIV diagnosis May 12, 2011. He moved home to Dallas and finished school while changing majors from neuroscience to psychology after health complications. DeKeitra studied at the University of Texas at Arlington by completing an undergraduate degree in psychology, master’s of social work, and master’s of public administration. He serves as a board member for the Professional Association of Social Workers in HIV/AIDS and steering committee member for the United States People Living with HIV Caucus. DeKeitra is currently attending Louisiana State University as a PhD student within their social work department. He uses his lived experiences including living with HIV, date rape survivor, former sex worker, and intimate partner violence survivor to become a stronger advocate. DeKeitra aims to be an advocate and researcher for the LGBTQIA+ community by focusing on intimate partner violence, sex work, mental health, substance use, and HIV.