Jonathan PerrySpeaker and Booking Agent Information

Getting involved in HIV-education programs on campus helped bring him out of the depression that almost took his life. In 2002, He first told his story publicly at an assembly of more than 150 Johnson C. Smith students. Perry has been quoted in numerous news articles, magazines, and other publications. He has also been interviewed by Candace Gingrich.

He was also profiled by CNN.com, POZ Magazine, and The New York Times. Jonathan’s activism eventually caught the attention of Oprah Winfrey who read his story on CNN.com and invited him to share his story on her show on April 2004.

He appeared on the show Men Living on the Down Low and was later featured on BETs Open Mic and BET.com. Perry turned his devastation into activism and on September 2004, he completed a three-month consulting contract with the Black AIDS Institute in Los Angeles, California. Quoting Nelson Mandela, he said: “Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.

Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, who are we to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented and fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You playing small doesn’t serve the world.

There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so other people wont feel insecure around you. And as we let our light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others!

And thats how Perry lives his life.” As one of Americas Emerging Activists, Perry delivered the keynote address for Harvard University’s first Unite Against AIDS Summit. He was also the first recipient of Unite Against AIDS Inspiration Award.

On his openness about his HIV, Perry jokes: “I’m the type of person who keeps all of my skeletons on the front door. That way when [someone] goes rambling in my closets, all they’ll find are clothes.” Ranking in third position, Perry was named one of the six Superheroes of 2004 by POZ Magazine.

Even with public appreciation and criticism, Perry says that if he could go back in time, he would not change a thing: “The truth is, no, because lives have been and are being saved because of one individual’s willingness to step up and speak out. It’s no longer about Jonathan.

It’s about inspiring a hope that is born of responsibility and teaching people to be responsible for their own lives.”