The Latino Commission on AIDS, in partnership with the Hispanic Health Network, announced that the 2026 Cielo Gala will be held on Friday, June 5, 2026, at Cipriani Wall Street in New York City. The event continues the theme “Designing a World Without AIDS,” emphasizing the persistent and unequal impact of HIV on Latine communities, four decades after the U.S. Centers for Disease Control first documented disproportionate HIV rates among Black and Latino populations.
“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,” said Guillermo Chacón, President of the Latino Commission on AIDS. “The Cielo Gala is not only a celebration of progress—it is a call to action.”
The gala is one of the nation’s leading events celebrating HIV advancements and honoring those advancing health equity. It brings together leaders from public health, government, philanthropy, entertainment, and corporate sectors committed to building a world where HIV is no longer a public health threat and all communities have equitable access to prevention, care, and dignity.
The Latino Commission on AIDS will present three awards at the 2026 Cielo Gala. Dr. Helen Arteaga-Landaverde, CEO of NYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst, will receive the Esperanza (Hope) Award for her leadership in community-centered healthcare and advancing health equity for immigrant and Latine communities. 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 national leadership in HIV research and policy innovation addressing racial and ethnic disparities. 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-long contributions to HIV prevention and systems-level improvements.
For over three decades, the Latino Commission on AIDS has worked to address inequities fueling HIV in Latine communities. Despite progress, Latino communities continue to experience higher rates of new HIV diagnoses, barriers to care, and persistent stigma. The 2026 Cielo Gala reaffirms the Commission’s commitment to culturally responsive programs, leadership development, and community networks.
Funds raised during the gala support year-round initiatives including HIV testing and prevention, community mobilization, capacity-building, National Latino AIDS Awareness Day (NLAAD), Zero campaigns to address homophobia and transphobia, and national and southern regional health policy efforts. Sponsorships, tables, tickets, journal, and silent auction opportunities are available at www.cielolatino.org.
