Spectra CIC delivers supportive, knowledgeable and non-judgemental peer-based services to underserved communities. Spectra CIC was founded in 1996 as the West London Gay Men’s Project, established to prevent HIV transmission in local high-risk populations by delivering community-based services and contributing to the evidence-based research of the time. Since then, Spectra CIC has expanded its partnerships and the range of issues it supports. Now they exist to support people of all sexualities, gender identities, cultural influences and ethnicities who want to make a positive change to their lives, with a focus on sexual health and emotional wellbeing.

Grace Desouza (they/them) is Research and Performance Coordinator at Spectra CIC, as well as Research Lead at the Trans Learning Partnership. Desouza is passionate about community participatory action research (CPAR) in the fields of Inclusion Health and wellbeing. They have experience working in sexual health and queer collaborations across London and nationally, including with the GMI Partnership (Metro and Positive East), Mermaids, Gendered Intelligence and The LGBT Foundation. They have published and presented research to health governance groups across London and sector-wide conferences.

Sunil Gupta (he/him) (b. 1953, New Delhi) is a photographer, writer and curator widely recognised for his contributions to visual culture and activism. Gupta was the photographer behind many of the Black HIV and AIDS posters in the exhibition, as well as some of the posters from Naz. He has exhibited internationally and published several books, including Christopher Street, 1976 (Stanley/Barker 2018) and Queer (Vadehra Art Gallery/Prestel 2011). His work is in many public collections, including the Museum of Modern Art (NY, USA) Tate Britain (UK), Philadelphia Museum of Art (USA), Tokyo Metropolitan Museum of Photography (Japan), Arts Council of Great Britain (UK) and Harvard University (Massachusetts, USA).

Angelina Namiba (she/her) has over 26 years of experience working in the HIV sector on different initiatives ranging from providing one-to-one support to people living with HIV, treatment & research advocacy, and managing service delivery to facilitating, promoting and advocating for the meaningful involvement of women living with HIV in forming & informing local and national strategy and policy. Living with HIV for 30 years, she is a founder member of the 4M Network of Mentor Mothers, and a co-author and editor of the book Our Stories Told By Us: Celebrating the African contribution to the UK HIV response. Angelina is a member of various national and international steering and advisory boards. She is a Trustee of the National AIDS Trust, SAFE Kenya, Salamander Trust, a patron of the National HIV Nurses Association and a co-chair of the SHARE Collaborative Community Advisory Board.

Joel Robinson (he/him) is the CEO of Spectra CIC, a not-for-profit that delivers supportive, knowledgeable and non-judgemental peer-based services to underserved communities. As someone with lived experience of gender diversity, he is particularly passionate about ensuring the continued delivery and growth of Spectra’s peer-led services to diverse communities, as well as advocating for their rights. Joel has over two decades of experience in the fields of HIV, sexual health, and advocacy for trans and gender diverse health. His career includes a range of senior positions, most recently as Acting Co-CEO and Director of Services at METRO Charity.

Pank Sethi (he/him) is a photographer, storyteller and social justice advocate whose work bridges art and activism. With career-spanning collaborations with A-list actors, fashion houses and musicians, his photography captures raw narratives that challenge perceptions and inspire change.

Beyond the lens, Sethi is a leading voice in education and advocacy, particularly in the realm of HIV and sexual health services within UK prisons. His dedication to social equity has seen him shape national healthcare standards, mentor underrepresented youth in film and media, and serve as a trustee for the literacy charity Shannon Trust. A former prisoner turned artist, Sethi’s journey is one of resilience and transformation. His practice embodies his unwavering determination to bring about change.

Marc Thompson (he/him) is the Lead Commissioner of the London HIV Prevention Programme, a health promotion specialist, award-winning podcaster, and LGBTQ cultural archivist who has been at the forefront of HIV and LGBTQ activism for over three decades. His work, which particularly focuses on Black and queer communities, explores the intersection of race, sexuality and HIV. Marc has held significant roles in organisations such as the NHS, the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, the Terrence Higgins Trust, Gay Men Fighting AIDS (GMFA), Big Up and Positively UK. He co-founded Prepster, the Love Tank, and Blackout UK. Marc spearheaded Project 100, the first national peer mentor program for people living with HIV and co-curated the digital archive and podcast series Black and Gay, Back in the Day. He also launched We Were Always Here, focusing on the UK HIV epidemic through personal stories and appeared in BBC and Sky TV documentaries, including Saved by a Stranger, Freddie Mercury: Final Act, and Positive.

Video by Dor Even Chen