Porchia Dees is a part of the first generation of children who were born HIV positive, diagnosed in 1986 and a native of San Bernardino California. She considers herself an Artivist, which combines the passions of art and activism together. Porchia graduated with her BS from the University of California, Riverside and has been working in the HIV Direct Services and advocacy field for over 10 years now in many different capacities. Porchia is currently enrolled in a Masters in Social Work program at Azusa Pacific University and working towards achieving her Master’s in Social Work. Currently, she is working full time as a Health Educator II within the HIV/STD clinic at the Riverside County Department of Public Health. Porchia is also serving as the California State lead for Positive Women’s Network. She also serves as one of the cofounders and CEO of the Lifetime Survivors Network.
Helping others and giving back to her community is her passion. Educating people on the topic of HIV, and public speaking has become her calling. She feels she did not choose this life; it was given to her. With that being said, most importantly, her goal is to touch and inspire as many lives as she can with her story and with Hope!!!
Q: How long have you been a member, and how are you involved with PWN?
A: I have been a part of PWN for about a year now through their State Lead Program. I have been serving as their CA State Lead.
Q: What project or campaign have you been working on recently, and what inspires you to continue pushing forward?
A: I spend most of my of my free time outside of my 9 to 5 work and school working on things that need to be taken care of within the Lifetime Survivor’s Network.
I work tirelessly to keep the work going within the network and to continue building the foundation that we have established. We are national network of people who have been living with HIV since birth or early childhood. Actually we have quite a few international members, as well.
The purpose of our network is to center and uplift the needs of Lifetime survivors in policy, advocacy, research, services, treatment and care and overall quality of life. The mission is to advocate for healthcare policy changes and ensure lifetime survivors are included in the development, decision-making, delivery and evaluation of the federal HIV policy and research agenda. Our vision is to increase awareness about the impact of HIV on people living with HIV since birth or early childhood at every stage of the HIV Continuum.
What keeps me going is seeing how much our network has grown over the past couple of years and knowing that there are so many more Lifetime Survivor’s that we have to reach. Knowing that there are still more than 12,000 Lifetime Survivors over the age of 18 aging with HIV/AIDS within the U.S. and beyond that we still need to reach, as well as connect them all to our safe space and our community!
A: I want the legacy of my work with the Lifetime Survivors Network to stand as a testament to dignity, visibility, and true empowerment. My deepest hope is that people remember I stood not only with—but fiercely for—my community of people living with HIV, especially those of us born with it or diagnosed in early childhood. We are not just part of the history—we are the history—and we are vital voices shaping the future.
I want my work to be remembered for creating space—safe space—where our stories were honored, our truths were heard, and our needs were prioritized. I also want to be remembered for putting other Lifetime Survivors in position—not just in the room, but in paid positions of leadership and influence, right alongside me. Because representation without compensation isn’t justice—and we all deserve to thrive, not just survive.
If, in the end, I am remembered for helping to shift the narrative from survival to powerful, unapologetic thriving, then I will know that my work truly mattered. That I didn’t just raise my voice—I helped others find theirs, build with them, and made sure they got paid for the value they bring. Together, we changed the conversation.
Q: In what ways do you find joy doing this work? Why is joy and healing important for women living with HIV?
A: I find joy in this work through connection, representation, and witnessing transformation—especially when it means creating space for other Lifetime Survivors to not just be seen, but to be paid, centered, and celebrated for their leadership. There’s real joy in watching someone step into a role they didn’t think was meant for them, or hearing someone say, “I finally feel safe enough to share my story.” That’s healing—for them, and for me.
I also think joy and healing are essential for PLWHIV because for too long, our lives have been framed only through struggle and survival. While we acknowledge the pain and the trauma, we deserve spaces where we can laugh, dream, rest, and thrive. Joy isn’t a luxury—it’s resistance. It’s reclamation. It’s proof that we are more than our diagnosis. And healing allows us to release shame and silence so we can step fully into our power. I don’t laugh and rest enough.
Q: How does it feel to be named PWN’s next Shero of the month?
A: I feel honored to be named PWN’s Shero of the Month. To be real, it feels surreal —because for a long time, I have been feeling like my work hasn’t been truly acknowledged or like community has been slow to give me my flowers and the credit that I’ve earned. So this recognition means more than words can say.
It reminds me that the labor, the love, and the leadership I’ve poured into this work—especially for other Lifetime Survivors—is being seen. This isn’t just about me. It’s about a community of people who have been living with HIV as children who have been here from the start, yet are too often overlooked. Being named Shero of the Month tells me that our stories matter, that our leadership is valid, and that the space I’ve fought to create—for safety, healing, and paid opportunities—is making a real impact. I’m proud to carry this honor not just for myself, but for every Lifetime Survivor who’s still waiting to be seen, heard, and valued.
