Meet Wanda StigmaGoddess Collier | Stigma Activist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Wanda StigmaGoddess Collier and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Wanda StigmaGoddess, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I wanted to give back to the community I once impacted in a negative way. I wanted to make a difference in someone’s life in order to save mine.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
Stop Our Stigma Foundation, Inc. is a local non-profit organization committed to ceasing the alienation of human beings living with Mental Health Challenges, Hiv & Aids, and all actions associated with stigma. Accomplished by assisting individuals (including assisting organizations with the same mission) in living productive lives not affected by stigma.

When most people are off to start their lives at nineteen, I Wanda Collier( StigmaGoddess) in 1988 was informed I was Hiv positive. That diagnosis began my extensive battle with drugs and a revolving door with the criminal justice system. Finally, with my determination to end my disruptive behavior. I accepted an opportunity to become a resident at St. Stephen’s Ministry, a (now shuttered) transitional house for persons living with Hiv & Aids. This life-changing opportunity afforded me the acceptance and healing I had sought for over twenty years. Including housing and various other life-changing supports after leaving its protective loving hub.
After becoming a St. Stephen’s success story, I decided that I must rectify the harm I committed against my community. Thus, I founded the former not-for-profit organization “Stop Da Stigma” which is now officially “Stop Our Stigma (SOS) Foundation, Inc”(501c3). Stop Our Stigma Foundation provides educational events, raises awareness, assists, and advocates on behalf of newly diagnosed persons, and fundraises for underfunded Hiv & Aids and Mental Health Agencies in our communities throughout the year.
For the past thirteen (13) years SOS has impacted the lives of people in our communities living with Hiv & Aids, Mental Health Challenges, and other challenges (e.g., Homelessness, Returning Citizens, and Lgbtq Communities) that are associated with stigma without the benefit of state or federal aid.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
These would be some places I would suggest to my bestie.. love what I call Old Faithful Applebee’s, but some other great places are Comedy Zone, Main Event, Escape Artist Greenville, Falls Park on Reddy, Bon Secour Wellness Arena. I would suggest these other restaurants Smoke on the Water, Tupelo Honey Southern Kitchen and Bar, and Adams Bistro.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I’m very fortunate that I have a strong support team in way of family, friends and varies organizations (there are many to name and I don’t want to miss anyone) so my shoutout goes to my complete support team.

Website: stopourstigmainc.com

Facebook: Stop Our Stigma Foundation Inc