2023 Participant Biographies

Mr. AJ Scruggs is a 35-year-old proud black man of trans experience from the east coast. He grew up in the capital city of Trenton, NJ. Relocating to Baltimore, MD where he was molded. And then refined in Philadelphia, PA after moving there for college. In 2016, his life changed when he was confirmed positive for HIV. After meeting Achim Howard a fellow advocate and black trans man, he became more determined to become the voice for his brothers and siblings hidden in the shadows of stigma.

Starting Visible Truth 365 in late spring of 2018. Starting with a movement #purple365, a social media campaign wearing purple for 365 days, a black trans visibility campaign. The rest is history still in the making. The movement has grown into a direct service, resource and consulting organization. In addition to running VT365, AJ is in his 2nd year as the civic engagement fellow for PA with TAKE Resource Center based in Birmingham, AL. A member of Positively Trans with the Transgender Law Center. A steering committee member for decriminalize sex work with the ACLU PA, and a national trainer and certified coach for NMAC’s ELEVATE program. A newly inducted member to the Philadelphia HIV Integrated Planning Council working in planning and prevention.