LeRoy Whitfield facts for kids

LeRoy Whitfield (born September 19, 1969 – October 9, 2005) was an African-American journalist. He wrote about his own experiences living with HIV and AIDS. Many people saw him as a leading journalist reporting on AIDS in the African-American community.

Early Life and Education

LeRoy Whitfield was born in Chicago in 1969. He went to several colleges for his studies. These included Barber-Scotia College in North Carolina, Northwestern University, University of Chicago, and DePaul University in Illinois.

"Marathon Man" and His Journey

Whitfield learned he had HIV in 1990 when he was 19 years old. He made a personal choice not to take certain medications called antiretrovirals. He was worried about possible side effects like feeling tired or sick. His doctors, however, suggested he take them.

Later, a researcher studied him because he had lived with HIV for a long time without taking these medicines. Whitfield then gave himself the nickname "Marathon Man." This showed his strength and unique journey.

A Voice for the Community

LeRoy Whitfield was known for his honest and brave writing. He wanted to share his personal story to help others learn.

"Native Tongue" Column

Starting in May 2004, Whitfield wrote a monthly column called "Native Tongue" for HIV Plus magazine. This column was very popular. He openly shared his fight against HIV. Michael W.E. Edwards, the editor of HIV Plus, said Whitfield was a "consummate journalist." This means he was very skilled and thorough in his work.

Challenging Common Ideas

Journalist Keith Boykin said that Whitfield was very dedicated to showing the truth about AIDS in the Black community. He was not afraid to question common beliefs. Angelo Ragaza, an editor at Poz magazine, explained that LeRoy wrote with his heart. He was brave enough to share his strong beliefs and his feelings.

Whitfield believed that problems like public housing, poverty, and violence were some reasons for the rise of HIV in the Black community. In 1997, he wrote that for African-Americans, AIDS was "the atrocity du jour." This meant it was a terrible problem happening right now.

Other Publications

Whitfield also wrote for many other well-known magazines. These included Ebony, Vibe, The Source, Chicago, City Limits, Black Lines, and Kujisource. He also wrote for newspapers like the New York Daily News and Chicago Defender.

Angelo Ragaza, who was also an editor at Vibe magazine, asked Whitfield to write a feature article. This article was titled "A Dream Deferred." Ragaza noted that LeRoy's longer investigative pieces were a different kind of challenge for him, but they worked well.

Community Involvement

While living in Chicago, Whitfield was an associate editor at Positively Aware magazine. He also worked as a community educator at Positive Voice, an organization that raised awareness about AIDS.

In 2000, he moved to New York. There, he became a columnist and senior editor at Poz magazine. This magazine is for people living with HIV. He was also active with the Los Angeles-based Black AIDS Institute. He was one of the first members of the institute's journalism team.

Final Writings and Legacy

LeRoy Whitfield continued to write about his health journey. In August 2005, he wrote in HIV Plus about his difficult medical choices. He explained how hard it was to decide whether to take medications.

In his final HIV Plus column, titled "A Prayer for the Dying," he wrote about feeling alone and afraid. He wished people would ask him what he needed instead of telling him.

Whitfield passed away on October 9, 2005, at the age of 36. He died from "AIDS-related complications," including kidney failure and pneumonia, in New York City.

Phill Wilson, who leads the Black AIDS Institute, said that Whitfield's death was a reminder. It showed that the AIDS epidemic was still a major issue for Black people in America. He said LeRoy's life and death showed how complicated HIV/AIDS truly is for the Black community.

Almost a week after his death, Whitfield and his co-writer Kai Wright received an award. They won a First Place "2005 Salute To Excellence Award" from the National Association of Black Journalists. This was for their story "AIDS Goes Gray" in City Limits magazine.

Funeral services were held in Chicago and a memorial service in New York City. LeRoy Whitfield is buried at Burr Oak Cemetery in Alsip, Illinois. This cemetery is the final resting place for many famous Black individuals.