Imagine being invited to a dinner where you must “dress to the nines” in red formal attire and the conversation soon gets intimate and personal. You’ve just entered a Risky Dinner Conversation where Generation Z and Millennial Black women influencers and content creators dine together over very candid conversations about sexual health and HIV awareness and prevention.

Produced by the BLK Room Project in partnership with Gilead, this year’s dinners reached women in Houston, Dallas, Chicago, Atlanta, Miami, and most recently Oakland. Black women account for 50% of new HIV cases among all women in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Each city offers a unique cultural setting, reinforcing that while HIV disproportionately affects Black women nationally, the dialogue must be shaped by the women within each community.

“We walked away inspired, informed, and empowered to bring these conversations back to our community, especially the conversations that are often whispered or never discussed at all,” says twin influencers, Taylor and Tylor, who attended the Oakland dinner and shared their takeaways on Instagram.

With decades of experience in HIV care and community engagement, this experience has been both energizing and deeply personal for Gilead’s Deborah Wafer, Executive Director, Public Affairs U.S. HIV Advocacy.

“Throughout this year, I’ve had the privilege of witnessing Black women — creators, advocates, community leaders, and culture shapers — lead courageous, open conversations across the country,” says Deborah. “In every city, I witnessed women create safe spaces for real conversations about sex, stigma, and taking ownership of their sexual health. It was a reminder of how essential community leadership is to this work.”

Influencers and content creators — including Koiya and Weezy — play a central role in hosting the dinners, guiding the themes, and bringing unfiltered honesty to the table. Their trusted voices and cultural fluency extend the conversational reach beyond the dining room and into their social media spaces helping to continue the sexual health dialogue.

This approach has resonated powerfully online. According to Chianna Collins, BLK Room Project founder and CEO, the Risky Dinner Conversations has reached over 2.2 million people and generated measurable engagement across social media – figures that reflect more than metrics — it also signifies sparked conversations, stigma being challenged, and community voices amplified nationwide.

Gilead’s presence at the table is intentional. Rather than directing the conversation, the HIV advocacy team shows up to listen, learn, and gather insights. This approach reflects the company’s commitment to community-driven solutions, trusted messengers and culturally resonant education — all part of its health equity mission.

Miami influencer, Bella Rosa says, “I had such an amazing night. I learned so much. I learned new terminology that I’ve never heard of and was so educated on the topic of HIV and prevention. It was a 10 out of 10 event.”

Risky Dinner Conversations are an example of what’s possible when community, culture, and public health come together — with Gilead as a partner, listening at the table.