The Latino Commission on AIDS, in partnership with the Hispanic Health Network, has announced that the 2026 Cielo Gala will take place on Friday, June 5, 2026, at Cipriani Wall Street in New York City. The event, themed 'Designing a World Without AIDS,' aims to address the ongoing disparities in HIV impact on Latine communities, 40 years after the CDC first documented the disproportionate toll on Black and Latino populations.
Guillermo Chacón, President of the Latino Commission on AIDS, emphasized the urgency of the mission: 'Forty years after the CDC first reported the disproportionate impact of HIV on Black and Latino communities, we are reminded that our work is far from finished. The Cielo Gala is not only a celebration of progress—it is a call to action.' The Gala brings together leaders from public health, government, philanthropy, entertainment, and corporate sectors to support equitable access to prevention, care, and dignity.
The event will honor three award recipients for their contributions to health equity. Dr. Helen Arteaga-Landaverde, CEO of NYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst, will receive the Esperanza (Hope) Award for her community-centered healthcare leadership. Gregory Millett, MPH, Vice President and Director of Public Policy at amfAR, will be honored with the Dennis deLeon Voz de Compromiso (Voice of Commitment) Award for his work in HIV research and policy. Mario Pérez, Director of the Division of HIV and STD Programs for Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, will receive the Compañero (Partner) Award for his decades of HIV prevention efforts.
Funds raised at the Gala support initiatives such as HIV testing, prevention, community mobilization, National Latino AIDS Awareness Day (NLAAD), and policy efforts. The Latino Commission on AIDS, established in 1990, has worked to address health inequities through education, prevention, and community mobilization. More information on sponsorships and tickets is available at www.cielolatino.org. For further details about the Commission's work, visit www.latinoaids.org.
The 2026 Cielo Gala underscores the need for continued action to dismantle barriers to care and stigma, as Latino communities still face higher rates of new HIV diagnoses. The Commission’s efforts aim to create a future where HIV is no longer a public health threat.
