Rooted & Rising – Episode 5

14 Sep 2026

In Episode 5 of Rooted & Rising, Dr Oni Blackstock, founder of Health Justice, and Oluwakemi Agunbiade (Kemi), Senior Research and Policy Officer at National AIDS Trust, join co-hosts Susan Cole and Dr Vanessa Apea

Together, they explore how racism drives HIV and wider health inequalities affecting Black women, why Black women continue to be overlooked in conversations about PrEP, and what needs to change across healthcare. Kemi also reflects on National AIDS Trust’s Beyond the Action Plan report, the challenges facing young Black women and how genuine co-production can help create more equitable services.

The episode also examines NICE’s decision not to recommend injectable lenacapavir for HIV prevention—and what this could mean for efforts to end the HIV inequalities affecting Black women.

This episode was streamed live on Monday 14 September 2026. 5–5.30pm

News

Positive Health – Season 2 – Episode 5

5 Oct 2026

In this episode of Positive Health, Christina Ganotakis from NAZ discusses HIV prevention, engaging young people and action on Black women’s health inequities. Kenyan advocate Idris Mwendwa shares perspectives on global funding cuts, the impact of the roll back on...

Positive Health – Season 2 – Episode 4

24 Aug 2026

In this episode of Positive Health, two international leaders in the HIV sector share their perspectives on some of the inequalities and barriers still shaping the HIV response. Brazilian journalist and broadcaster Alberto Pereira Jr., Master of Ceremonies at AIDS...

Rooted & Rising – Episode 4

10 Aug 2026

In Episode 4 of Rooted & Rising, co-hosts Susan Cole and Dr Vanessa Apea are joined by Dr Melvina Woode Owusu, an Honorary Associate Professor at UCL’s Institute for Global Health, epidemiologist and medical anthropologist specialising in research impact and...

Positive Health – Season 2 – Episode 3

13 Jul 2026

In this episode of Positive Health, Florence Riako Anam from GNP+ and Juddy Otti from African Advocacy Foundation join Susan Cole and Denis Onyango Together they discuss the launch of Skin Like Mine, the impact of global HIV funding cuts, the new HIV Patient Charter,...

Positive Health – Season 2 – Episode 2

1 Jun 2026

In this episode of Positive Health, HIV activist Winnie Ssanyu Sseruma and public health consultant Dr Harvey Kennedy-Pitt join Susan Cole and Denis Onyango for a thought-provoking discussion on HIV and the pressing issues affecting Black communities. Together, they...

Rooted & Rising – Episode 3

21 May 2026

In Episode 3 of Rooted & Rising, Susan Cole and Dr Vanessa Apea explored some of the key health inequities continuing to affect Black women — including HIV prevention, menopause and maternal health. Leading HIV and sexual health consultant Dr Nneka Nwokolo...

BBC Radio London – Health Inequalities, HIV and Health Testing

15 May 2026

Jacqueline Shepherd speaks to Susan Cole about Black women’s health inequalities and Skin Like Mine – the HIV prevention programme by and for Black Londoners changing conversations around HIV, stigma and self-care

Positive Health – Season 2 – Episode 1

20 Apr 2026

Positive Health returned for Season 2 with an important and wide-ranging discussion on HIV inequalities affecting Black communities across the globe. Episode 1 featured powerful conversations with acclaimed HIV advocate and journalist Juan Michael Porter II and Kenyan...

Rooted & Rising – Episode 2

30 Mar 2026

Episode 2 of Rooted & Rising explored storytelling, visibility, mental health and the systems shaping Black women’s health. Award-winning journalist Melissa Sigodo spoke about the devastating impact of Black women being overlooked in mainstream media, including...

Rooted & Rising – Episode 1

9 Mar 2026

In the opening episode, Susan Cole and Dr Vanessa Apea set the tone for the series with a powerful call to move beyond awareness of health inequities and towards meaningful action. The conversation centres the realities behind these inequities, including maternal...

BBC Radio London – HIV Testing in London Interview

29 Jan 2026

Shay Kaur Grewal, Mark Thompson and Susan Cole discuss “Skin Like Mine” – the HIV prevention programme by and for Black Londoners, delivered by One Voice Network and funded by Do It London

New video resource on HIV and mental health for women with HIV

11 Dec 2025

Phoenix Health Movement is delighted to announce the launch of a new set of video resources for Black & migrant women with HIV about mental health, co-produced with 4M Network of Mentor Mothers. These videos provide empowering, reliable and engaging information,...

Positive Health – Episode 6

24 Nov 2025

Co-hosts Susan Cole and Denis Onyango are joined by Ophelia Haanyama and Dr Michael Brady. They will be discussing the pressing issues around HIV affecting Black communities, and solutions to the challenges faced. This episode was streamed live on Monday 24 November...

Positive Health – Episode 5

6 Oct 2025

Co-hosts Susan Cole and Denis Onyango are joined by HIV Consultant & menopause specialist Dr Nneka Nwokolo, and HIV advocate & CEO of Red Ribbon Living Well Husseina Hamza. They will be discussing the pressing issues around HIV affecting Black communities, and...

Increased rates of HIV in Black women – Susan Cole interviewed by BBC London News

10 Sep 2025

Black women are at increased risk of HIV in London, according to a new report. Susan Cole was interviewed on behalf of Phoenix Health Movement by Thomas Magill from BBC London News about HIV inequities affecting Black women, including barriers to testing and actions...

BBC Radio London – HIV and Black Women Interview

9 Sep 2025

Susan Cole was interviewed on BBC London Radio, on behalf of Phoenix Health Movement, about Black women in London being at higher risk of HIV. She highlights that this is linked to “intersecting forms of stigma, discrimination and disadvantage” that Black women...

Positive Health – Episode 4

8 Sep 2025

Co-hosts Susan Cole and Denis Onyango are joined by guests Dr Rageshri Dhairyawan and Rebecca Mbewe to discuss the pressing issues around HIV affecting Black communities. YouTube Shorts from Episode 3More people are needed for HIV researchAdvice to Black women...

Zero Stigma Day

21 Jul 2025

Zero Stigma Day is a grassroots awareness campaign that mobilises and unites people, organisations, and entire countries across the world to take action against HIV stigma. The campaign was conceived by our Co-Founder Dr Vanessa Apea, as Medical Director of Naz in...

Positive Health – Episode 3

4 Jul 2025

In Episode 3 of Positive Health Co-hosts Susan Cole & Denis Onyango are joined by guests Dr Annabelle Sowemimo and Angelina Namiba to discuss HIV and Black communities. YouTube Shorts from Episode 3Advice to a woman newly diagnosed with HIVAdvice to Black women...

UK AIDS Memorial Quilt at Tate Modern

12 Jun 2025

Susan Cole attended the launch event of the UK AIDS Memorial Quilt Display at Tate Modern’s Turbine Hall. For the first time in history the entire UK AIDS Memorial Quilt was laid out. The monumental work is a powerful piece of social history, telling the stories of...

BASHH Annual Conference 2025

11 Jun 2025

Susan Cole presented at this year’s BASHH Conference in Edinburgh in the session focused on the UKHSA HIV Report and the limitations of healthcare provision to underserved communities. Her presentation focused on community insights on the drivers of the inequities...

Positive Health – Episode 2

5 Jun 2025

Susan Cole and Denis Onyango are joined by HIV and AIDS activist Eliane Becks Nininahazwe, Lead Commissioner London HIV Prevention Programme and HIV community leader Marc Thompson, and Florence Eshalomi MP for Vauxhall and Camberwell Green They discuss HIV and Black...

AIDSImpact 2025

26 May 2025

Susan Cole delivered the opening presentation of the 16th AIDSImpact Conference in Casablanca. Her presentation highlighted the intersecting forms of discrimination and disadvantage affecting women with HIV globally, sharing community insights on the actions needed to...

International Day of Action for Women’s Health 2025

23 May 2025

The International Day of Action for Women’s Health 2025 organised by Chelsea and Westminster NHS Foundation Trust in collaboration with CW+, ARC, NHS Hiyos, Hounslow Council and local organisations. The event brought together numerous health experts and lived...

Black Women’s Health Manifesto Collective

16 May 2025

On Friday 16th May 2025, the Black Women’s Health Manifesto Collective met in London. Co - chaired by Professor Jenny Douglas and Dr Vanessa Apea, key leaders and strategic drivers of the Collective, the meeting brought together healthcare professionals, activists,...

Global Black Gay Men Connect – Community Reporting & HIV Research Webinar

15 May 2025

During this webinar, facilitated by Juan Michael Porter II, Susan Cole (Phoenix Health Movement), Riko Boone (Treatment Action Group), and Matthew Rose (Human Rights Campaign) had a bold and honest discussion on the future of HIV reporting. Together, they examined...

APPG on Black Health Reproductive Equity & Fibroids Meeting

14 May 2025

Susan Cole participated in the first parliamentary meeting of the APPG on Black Health, chaired by Paulette Hamilton MP with CAHN as the secretariat, Reproductive Equity & Fibroids was the topic of discussion. Fibroids disproportionately impact women of colour....