Dazon Dixon Diallo, the founder and president of SisterLove, has fearlessly battled the disparities facing women affected by HIV. Her global mission spans from the United States to South Africa and other nations. Because of her commitment to community-driven efforts to eradicate HIV, Dixon was recently named co-chair of ACT NOW: END AIDS.
As a Black woman, what are your superpowers?
Vision, futurism, intuition, truth-finder, transformer [and] integrity.
What key skills or qualities make you unique as an African American female leader?
Code-switching, transparency, facilitation. … I lead with love.
What encouraging piece of advice would you give to your younger self?
If you know your purpose, stay on your path to fulfill that purpose until the day you die. This is your gratitude for the life you have.
Why is it important for women of color to work in leadership roles and decision-making capacities?
As the backbone of the world, we look better, sound better and do better when we are standing tall and have the space to determine what, how and when we make change happen.
If you could thank any Black woman historymaker for her contributions to society, who would it be and why?
I would thank Byllye Avery, founder of the National Black Women’s Health Project and mother of the Black women’s health movement in the U.S.
Why is it important for experienced Black women to reach back and help younger women of color?
How else do we perpetuate the work if we don’t create the space and opportunity for others coming after us to take up the mantle when we are done with our own journey of purpose? It is also important for younger women of color to help older women understand new elements of old movements, [including] language, interpretation [and] ways of engagement.
What are three success habits you implement in your daily routine to maintain your success and peace of mind?
– Listen to music anywhere, everywhere, anytime.
– Laugh as much as possible.
– Give and get as many hugs as I can with as many people as I can.
As a successful woman in business, what is your proudest achievement?
Founding and sustaining a nonprofit organization for 30 years with the raising of more than $20 million in that time and creating at least 35 jobs for other Black women.
