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 Many people do not stand up, admit their mistakes, and then go back to share that mistake with the world in order to prevent the same thing from happening to someone else. This person who I am referring to is Donta Morrison. Ladies, this brother is 5’9, handsome, hazel eyes, was dressed to impress, and had a smile to die for. In a room full of young college women at the Mentorship Symposium at the Four Seasons Hotel in Austin during the 2008 Texas Relays, he warned them about having premarital and unprotected sex with young men. It was like an older brother warning his younger sisters before they leave home and move on to college. I first thought that he was probably with some organization whose mission was to mentor youth; and then I heard his story. The reason we saw his heart and his passion for warning youth was because Donta Morrison contracted HIV in 1999. Shortly thereafter Donta used his story to become an advocate in which he has been around the world and back sharing his story with countless others.
After his hearing him talk, I just had to interview him. Immediately, my heart went out to him and his situation. I just knew that somehow and someway I could help this movement by doing an interview with Donta to help him spread the word. Nothing scripted, nothing prompted, just talking from the heart and from experience. Don’t we wish we had more of those? We need someone who speaks with truth, clarity, and boldness. I encourage you to read the interview below and be prepared for an interesting story.
Tonya: What happened when you found out you were HIV positive?
Donta: It didn’t really hit me until I took my meds. I did not find out until November. I didn’t start taking my medication until January. What they did was that they told me at work. They called me and told me over the phone. I tested in August and told me I was fine. They called me back in November and told me it was a mistake. I went three months thinking I was cool.
Tonya: Who did you talk to for support?
Donta: My mom. My mom was on vacation. I told my mom once she got off vacation. My mom picked me up from work and took me to the hospital.
Tonya: How did you become a minister?
Answer: After being diagnosed, I went through a year of depression and suicidal thoughts. Then I went through a year of partying thinking I would die and then I found myself going back to my base, the church. I started going back to church because I grew up in church. I started to get back on tract, get back together, and re-direct my focus.
Tonya: We are always talking about preventing HIV and never talk to those who have HIV. You mentioned earlier that you are a minister, do you believe in your healing?
Donta: Yes, I am standing in the gap for healing. However, healing is just more than physical. Healing is spiritual, emotional, mental, and everything else.
Tonya: When did you first become an advocate?
Donta: My doctor and case manager love my personality. They had me speak to conferences with doctors coming from a patient’s point of view. It was my first time speaking and everyone was amazed. That was like in ’99. It just so happened that a pastor was there and doors were opened. I’ve done videos, spoken at UC-Berkeley. I’ve worked with different faith based churches, especially the Black Church.
Tonya: When you look back on your life do you realize what situations influenced you to have sex and all of those types of things? Sometimes when we mess up we look back and realized what happened.
Donta: There was no one talking to me about sex. In church it’s not a topic. You’re told not to have sex but you’re not told why. The only reason you may get is that you are going to hell. I didn’t have anyone talking real to me and sharing how they got the virus. We are telling people not to have sex. Okay, so what kind of sex? Is it unprotected, gay, or straight? Just what is it? We need to be more open so these kids can get a clear picture of what they changed in their behavior. Also, trust. You trust people especially in a relationship. You believe in that person.
Tonya: Thank you, it was nice meeting you.
Donta: Great. Nice meeting you to.
Tonya Isom is a staff writer for soulofaustin.com. Please send questions or comments to
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