Five Celebrities, One Voice

"If we want HIV programs to work for young people, we can’t tell them what to do or think. We need to nurture their voices. Don’t let an older generation lecture you. Make us listen to you. Tell us what your needs are and what skills and services you need, and we’ll help you" – At the 21st International AIDS conference in Durban, South Africa

Elton John founded the Elton John AIDS Foundationopens in new window in the United States in 1992 and in the United Kingdom in 1993.

The non-profit organization provides philanthropic support to the global AIDS crisis and has raised more than $350 million over the past 24 years.

A lot of players publicly said they didn’t want to play against Magic Johnsonopens in new window, but he "decided to channel that negative energy into positive energy by educating them."

The Magic Johnson Foundationopens in new window does just that, by providing resources and empowering urban communities that lack education opportunities. Johnson’s motto, "We are the communities we serve," has reached students from all backgrounds by providing financial support and many internship opportunities. He has increased the number of people getting tested for HIV since he spoke about his positive HIV status in 1991, and Johnson continues to spread awareness.

Miley Cyrus founded the Happy Hippie Foundationopens in new window, a nonprofit group that raises money for the homeless and LGBT youth people living with HIV.

The foundation creates programs for transgender women living with HIV and have started to tread #HappyHippies on Twitter to support those who need it regardless of gender or HIV status.

Cyrus is also the one of the celebrities featured on M·A·C AIDS Fund campaign.  Other celebrities featured by this campaign include Ariana Grande, Lady Gaga , Nikki Minaj, Rihanna, and Taraji B. Henderson.

The fund was created in 1994 to help spread awareness and create a community outreach for HIV/AIDS. All proceeds from VIVA Glam products goes directly to men, women and children affected by HIV/AIDS.

When Charlie Sheen revealed his HIV positive status in 2016, a digital shift on the internet occurred.

While the topic of HIV/AIDS seemed to be put on pause, Sheen's decision to publicly speak about his diagnosis played a significant role in bringing the topic of HIV back to the public's attention.

The same day Sheen publicly spoke, a 265 percent increase of news reports mentioned HIV and 1.25 million searches included HIV, condoms, testing and symptoms. View the Today Show video with Charlie Sheen revealing that he is HIV positive.

Alicia Keys may best be known as an award-winning musician, but she also devotes her time to another worthy cause: ending HIV/AIDS. Keys was first exposed to the problems facing people living with HIV/AIDS as a young girl when her mother’s friend passed from AIDS related complications. Over a decade later, in 2003, Keys discovered the epidemic’s devasting impact when visiting South Africa. This is where she was inspired to create the organization called Keep a Child Aliveopens in new window to help children and families deal with the effects of HIV/AIDS. Moreover, her organization’s annual fundraiser, Black Ball, raised approximately $2.4 million in 2014.

Many celebrities have lent their talents and support to help raise awareness and to help those who suffer from HIV/AIDS. But there are a few people who will forever stand out as the icons of HIV activism. These include Bono, Freddie Mercury, Rihanna, Madonna, Joan Rivers, Elizabeth Taylor and others.