Imagine living with a condition that has been shrouded in stigma for decades. In this episode, Chris Baker sits down with Natalie Tyler from the World AIDS Museum to break down barriers and share her journey in the nonprofit world, focusing on her role in dismantling the stigma surrounding HIV/AIDS. Natalie shares her invaluable insights into how the understanding of HIV has evolved and emphasizes the critical importance of knowing one's status. We discuss the upcoming Florida AIDS Walk on March 15, 2025, a significant event aimed at amplifying education and cultural programs through essential funding.
The power of collaboration stands front and center as we explore "Headshots 4 a Cause," a project designed to support nonprofits through the art of photography. By channeling proceeds toward organizations like the World AIDS Museum, this initiative shows how creative efforts can lead to meaningful change. Natalie and Chris highlight the "Colors of HIV" exhibit, which showcases the epidemic's diverse impact. Personal stories, including Chris's sister’s inspiring journey of living with HIV for 35 years, underscore resilience and the transformative power of education and awareness.
Natalie passionately calls for action, encouraging listeners to contribute to the cause through donations or participation in events like the Florida AIDS Walk. Her vision is one of continuous advocacy and leaving a legacy that inspires future generations. Located at ArtServe, the museum offers a rich tapestry of exhibits detailing the history and impact of HIV/AIDS, inviting visitors to engage and learn. Together, through storytelling and collaboration, we can foster a more informed and compassionate world. Join us and be part of this transformative journey.
Natalie Tyler
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/natalie-tyler-mpa-143985b1/
World AIDS Museum
https://worldaidsmuseum.org/
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Chris Baker (00:03):
Welcome to Visual Eyes, the podcast where
collaboration fuels change.
I'm your host, Chris Baker, andeach week, we'll explore
incredible connections betweennonprofits, businesses and the
community.
This is a space where wehighlight inspiring partnerships
, uncover strategies forcreating meaningful impact and
share stories that show howworking together can make all
(00:24):
the difference.
Whether you're a nonprofitleader, a business owner or
someone just passionate aboutbuilding connections, this
podcast is for you.
Welcome to Visual Eyes.
Today we have Natalie Tyler Ididn't say this right, Natalie
Tyler and she works at theWorld's AIDS Museum, Natalie.
Natalie Tyler (00:47):
Yes, welcome to the show, thank you.
Thank you, I'm glad to be here.
Chris Baker (00:50):
I'm so grateful that you're here as well.
Could you share with us andeverybody that's out here a
little bit about your journeyand what inspired you to become
a part of WAM, World's AIDSMuseum?
Natalie Tyler (01:01):
Well, my journey working with nonprofit
organizations began over 30years ago.
Originally, I'm from New Jersey, came to Florida 10 years ago
and working in nonprofits.
You know they are all about thenonprofits to help social
change individuals that arestruggling for social needs and
to improve the quality of lifeand advocate for those who
(01:22):
cannot advocate for themselves.
So when I saw this opportunityat the World AIDS Museum, which
is WHAM, I'm like okay, this ispersonal to me.
You know, at this point in mycareer I really am very
conscientious of where I want togo and what I want to do when
it comes to my career andworking with the population, hiv
aid clients and also educatingthem.
(01:42):
That's important to me because,you know, the mission of the
World AIDS Museum is to promotedialogue that eliminates the HIV
aid stigma through education,cultural programming and
dialogue that is going topromote these things as well.
Chris Baker (01:58):
I think that's extremely valuable and important
because right now there's stillthat stigma in the community.
You know HIV is a bad thing,right, but it's not what it used
to be Not at all, not at all.
Natalie Tyler (02:11):
And when you, you know in the museum it's
beautiful because you knowchronologically we set up
exactly what the chronologicalaspects of HIV, where it began.
You know what's going on today,the medication that's taking
place, so it's not like it wasback when it hit the scenes in
the early 80s.
(02:32):
You know the late 70s, so it'sdifferent now.
But still I don't think it getsas much notoriety as it should
Because some people still don'tthink oh, HIV, it's no longer
here, you know, because it's notspoken about a lot, but it's
still strong and it's stillgoing on.
And, most importantly, peopleneed to know their status.
(02:52):
I don't care if you're male,female, heterosexual, homosexual
.
Know your status Because youknow I have friends who are
females, that are straight buthave HIV.
Chris Baker (03:04):
It's not just a LGBTQ+.
Natalie Tyler (03:06):
No, it's not at all.
Chris Baker (03:09):
It's not in that culture, it's everywhere.
It's global, like there's somany populations all over the
world.
Natalie Tyler (03:15):
All over the world.
Chris Baker (03:16):
That are affected by it and one of the things that
we have a lot more resourceshere and we have a lot more
medications here than some otherplaces.
Natalie Tyler (03:25):
Right, and there's other populations that
are not able to get theeducation and get the medication
that they need.
Chris Baker (03:31):
Right.
Natalie Tyler (03:32):
You know, and that's you know, that causes a
problem for people who reallyneed their meds.
Because there are, you know,you, they have a whole lot of
vast medications right now.
You know, they have Cavanuva,which is the one-time shop.
They have PrEP, which preventsyou before you know, a
preventive medication.
But the stigma is still outthere and I think people need to
(03:52):
really become educated on HIV.
Right, you know and, like I said, step one is know your status.
Okay, become educated on it and, like I said, the World AIDS
Museum.
We want to eliminate thatnegative stigma that is attached
with HIV and AIDS througheducation, cultural programming,
dialogue, so that we can beable to sit around the table and
(04:15):
speak on this.
Chris Baker (04:16):
Talking about some of those programs, can you dive
a little bit more into whatthose are Like?
When you talk about theeducation, what type of
education are you able to doright now?
Do you have any upcoming events, anything happening in the
future?
Natalie Tyler (04:29):
well, right now, in the future, which is pretty
um exciting is that you know theworld aids museum is.
You know we have been selectedagain for the last decade as a
beneficiary for the florida aidswall oh awesome with the um ahf
, which is the AIDS HealthFoundation.
Chris Baker (04:46):
All right.
Natalie Tyler (04:46):
Okay, so you know , and that is going to take
place on March 15th 2025.
Okay, and there are 15 otherbeneficiaries along with
ourselves, so that's 16organizations that are going to
benefit from this walk as weraise funds.
Chris Baker (05:02):
Wow, that's amazing .
Natalie Tyler (05:04):
And all those funds are going to be matched by
AHF and those funds are goingto, yes, dollar for dollar.
So if you have someone who'sgoing to get $50, that 50 is
going to turn into 100.
Chris Baker (05:13):
Well, that's fantastic.
Natalie Tyler (05:14):
So I mean in order and for that, the funds
that are coming through the doorfor the world AIDS Museum is
going to continue to help usincrease our programs, increase
our awareness, increase theeducation portion of it.
You know we want to alsocontinue the programs that we
already have existing right nowand increase the exhibits that
(05:34):
are going on.
Chris Baker (05:35):
That's okay, that's fantastic.
One other thing that weactually have going on
collaboration is our headshotsfor a cause.
Natalie Tyler (05:44):
Correct yes, and I'm excited by that.
Chris Baker (05:46):
Yeah.
So let me just explain a littlebit more about Headshots for a
Cause If the audience doesn'tknow.
So at the end of 2024, we trieda pilot program to see how it
would go, and so we started togive the net proceeds of the
headshots to a nonprofitorganization.
(06:06):
What happened is it actuallystarted to grow a little bit
more and we're loving thetrajectory.
So now here in 2025, we areselecting three nonprofits every
quarter.
Natalie Tyler (06:18):
We're one of them and one of the nonprofits is
Wham World.
Day Museum.
Chris Baker (06:22):
And so when they go on to headshotsforacausecom,
they actually can choose whichnonprofit of the three that are
selected that their proceeds cango, or they can divvy it up
between all three of them.
Natalie Tyler (06:34):
That's where they would love to do it, to do the
timing is perfect because it'sthe beginning of the new year,
people are looking for the newcareer moves and, like I said,
we can promote this with theother 15 beneficiary
organizations to say, hey, doyou know someone in your
organization or know someone whoneeds a headshot?
Well, here we got headshot fora cause you know and and and.
(06:54):
It's perfect timing, like Isaid, for the first quarter of
the year, because these fundsare going to go towards the goal
that we have for the FloridaAIDS Walk.
Chris Baker (07:02):
That's fantastic.
That actually makes me evenhappier that we're able to work
together because the money isgoing to actually benefit right
at the right time and be doubled.
And doubled, that's even better.
Natalie Tyler (07:12):
And double yes and double, so that we can
double the programming anddouble the efforts that we are
making to make sure that we'reeducating, providing artistic
expression, bringing culturalprogramming to the community to
let them know that, hey, HIV ishere and it is not a death
sentence.
But we still need to educateour community.
(07:34):
And we need to educate ourblack community, because right
now our black community inBroward County has the largest
HIV statistics across this wholestate of Florida.
So Broward County andMiami-Dade are leading.
Chris Baker (07:49):
So that brings us to colors of HIV.
Yes, can you speak a little bitabout that now?
Natalie Tyler (07:57):
colors of HIV.
Yes, can you speak a little bitabout that now, which is
probably my favorite exhibitColors of HIV.
Because there is really nocolor.
It's black, it's white, it'sHispanic, it is poor.
You know it's on the top of thefinancial spectrum, you know
it's your neighbor, it's yourcoworker, you know it's your
family.
I mean for me personally, andyou know I'm not sharing
(08:19):
anything that my family memberwouldn't want to be shared,
because my sister has beenliving with HIV for 35 years.
She has a proud story to tellabout it, you know, and you know
she's 67 right now.
So for her, for the, you know,to change her life and to have
been living with this when itfirst came on the scenes up
north.
And you know, when you firstget diagnosed and you know she
(08:42):
was then just living in denialbut also doing some
self-destructive behavior.
But then, once you get a gripon it and say, okay, this is not
the end of my life, you know,it's just a calm, a punctuating
my life to loftier heights,that's what I say.
You know it means something tome to work for the World AIDS
Museum, because I personallyhave someone most dear to me
(09:05):
that is going through it, youknow, but now has changed.
Her light is back, she is awitness, she has a testimony.
So when we talk about the colorsof HIV, it doesn't matter what
color you are, they're alldifferent colors.
You see that our exhibit showswith Magic Johnson when he came
on the scene, you know.
(09:26):
It shows from Arthur Ashe, okay, when he was diagnosed with HIV
through a blood transfusion.
It shows Ryan White.
The young boy had HIV throughalso a blood transfusion and
couldn't go to school.
So there is no color butthere's colors.
Every color of the rainbowbasically affects us with HIV.
(09:47):
So that exhibit, when you seepeople's faces, it could be my
face, it could be your face, itcould be our neighbor's face, it
could be someone at Publix, asupermarket, anywhere we go, you
never know what the status ofsomeone is.
So those are the colors of HIV.
That speaks to me.
Chris Baker (10:03):
And the story about your sister specifically.
I have to go back to that one.
Natalie Tyler (10:08):
You said 35 years , yeah, 35 years.
Chris Baker (10:11):
So that's, you know , a testament to the fact that
it's not a death sentence.
Natalie Tyler (10:15):
No, it's not.
And you know she's coming toFlorida to be with me during the
AIDS walk so she can walk andgive her testimony and share her
testimony about where she'scome from and where she was and
where she's at right now, andjust to see her.
Now.
You know her life is different,she's different, and it just it
speaks to me.
And she you know, my sister,you know her life is different,
(10:35):
she's different and, um, it justit speaks to me that she you
know my, my sister, you knowJuanita is different now and and
even though that changed her,it changed her for the better,
in reality on.
Chris Baker (10:47):
You know there's a lot of stories.
I've struggled throughdifferent things and I'm I'm no
longer really talking to myfamily.
It's for the better.
Natalie Tyler (10:55):
Right Like.
Chris Baker (10:56):
I am stronger.
I am more resilient, I've beenable to actually follow my
dreams Right.
It's not always a case.
So in the case of your sister,I'm so happy to hear you know
she didn't look at this as anend.
Natalie Tyler (11:11):
Right.
Chris Baker (11:11):
But now she's looking at it as a whole new
beginning.
Natalie Tyler (11:13):
And in the beginning, you know, the medical
field didn't know what it was.
You know they were givencocktails.
You had to take this pill withthat pill, this pill with that
pill, and when you werediagnosed with it, it was as if,
okay, that's it.
You got about a month to live.
People were feeling that theywere just desolate.
This was it, but it wasn't it.
You know was it, but it wasn'tit.
(11:37):
You know it wasn't it.
As you, she continued to liveher life and continue to change
her mentality, which is the mostimportant thing, because you
are what you think.
I believe that.
So once she started to changeher mentality and say you know
what?
This is not a death sentence,let me get on the regiment, let
me educate myself as well, asshe educated herself on what
medications to take, what worksfor her, what does not work for
her.
And she also discovered thatthose who do not have HIV are
(12:02):
more of a harm to her than those.
If you do not have HIV and ifthere's a sickness that you have
and someone who has HIV becausetheir immune system is down,
you are more, you know, at risk.
That person is more at harmthan the person you know who has
HIV.
(12:22):
So people with HIV has to bemore careful of the people that
they're around.
Chris Baker (12:26):
Yeah.
Natalie Tyler (12:27):
Because their immune systems are down.
Chris Baker (12:29):
No, that's true, yeah.
Natalie Tyler (12:30):
So she, you know, she's come a long way and I'm
proud of her.
And she, she's just living herlife now, and living a great
life now, and she's proud to say, yeah, I'm living with HIV and
I'm living with HIV successfully.
So those, to me that's thecolors of HIV.
It doesn't matter who you are.
And right now we, even with ourolder active adults, our senior
(12:51):
population, it's abouteducating because, you know, a
lot of older active adultseniors are, you know, having
intercourse and they think that,hey, you know, it's not going
to affect me.
I can't get pregnant, you know,but you can continue.
You can attract an STD, yeah,so you know.
Also, it's, you know, the WorldAIDS Museum going out into the
(13:13):
community to educate those whoare not coming to the museum.
So that's a goal that I havelike to bring the World AIDS
Museum out into the world needsmore visibility more visibility.
You know, one of my goals, orone of my dreams, is to have a
traveling van where our exhibitis in a van and that we can go
(13:34):
out and we can share and be ableto share what we've had seen
and share.
Like it says here, we document,remember and power.
So we document the history ofHIV and share that with the
community and empower people tosee hey, I'm empowered to go on
with my life and to have anaudio so that people can hear
(13:55):
the origins of HIV and just togo out into the world to share
that with everyone else and tobring awareness, because that's
what we're supposed to do.
We are supposed to in ourmission is to educate artistic
expression, which having a vanis a nice artistic expression.
It could be, and culturalprogramming diverse cultural
programming.
Chris Baker (14:14):
Yeah.
Have you worked with any othernonprofits in the past?
Natalie Tyler (14:19):
Yes, we've worked with several nonprofits in the
past and we're looking to workwith others as well.
Ujima is a nonprofitorganization that is also a
recipient of the AHF, so we'vebeen collaborating with them.
We've collaborated with LegacyBuilders.
So we've had different eventsthat are going on there and we
(14:39):
also collaborate.
For example, I have a softballteam, so we collaborate with
Wise Cheers, which is one of oursponsors.
You know they're sponsoring.
You know providing a nicefinancial support.
So we're collaborating withother organizations and we
welcome more collaborations.
You know provided a nicefinancial support, so we're
collaborating with otherorganizations and we welcome
more collaborations.
You know so that we can,because when you collaborate
with other organizations, youare able to have a broader reach
(15:02):
.
Chris Baker (15:03):
You are, and it's not always about the money.
Natalie Tyler (15:05):
No, it's not always about the money.
Chris Baker (15:07):
Sometimes it's a resource or something else that
the other nonprofit orfor-profit business even is able
to give.
Right and I think that's one ofthe things that we're trying to
do with this show is to reallymake sure that hey, it's not
always about you know, donatingmoney is very helpful.
It's not the only way you canmake things happen.
(15:28):
There's a lot of other ways,because even with your.
Natalie Tyler (15:31):
You know, in volunteers there are the three
T's with volunteers Time, talentor treasure.
So either you know, you cangive your time, which is very
valuable, so if you need avolunteer to you know, do this
at one event or something else.
Time is very valuable.
Your talent you may have avolunteer who is just an expert
with media, social media, who'san expert with Excel, whatever
(15:55):
it is that their organizationalskills.
And then their treasure theirtreasure is their financial
participation and it may not betheir treasure.
They may know someone to say,hey, I know someone who is able
to give on a level that I cannotgive.
Chris Baker (16:10):
It's true.
Sometimes we know the peoplethat are looking for a cause
Right and we're not the onesthat actually have the money in
the coffers to pay for it.
Natalie Tyler (16:17):
And sometimes people are like oh, I don't have
much to give, I can only give$25.
But if you give $25, that $25will be matched from AHF for the
Florida AIDS Walk.
So people got to understandit's not how much you give's
that you give, that's the mostimportant thing.
Or walk, that's right and orrun, or you can virtually.
(16:38):
You can virtually walk you cansign up because I have my family
that is from new jersey, yeah,so a lot of my family members
have signed up to virtually walk, oh and participate.
So that you know I want tocross across the whole united
states, get people involved, say, hey, there's a Florida AIDS
walk that's going on in Marchhere in Florida.
I live in Texas, I don't haveto walk, but I can virtually
(17:00):
walk.
You know, here I am, you know,in South Carolina I can
virtually walk, so that we areon the map.
The World AIDS Museum, thatmeans the wide, whole, wide
world.
Chris Baker (17:11):
Yeah, it's not just South Florida.
Natalie Tyler (17:12):
No, it's not just South Florida.
No, it's not just South Florida.
That's like saying, oh, hiv andAIDS only exist in South
Florida.
No, it exists across the wholeglobe.
Right, and that's another youknow initiative that we are
doing for WAM is get it outacross the globe,
internationally, you know, haveour exhibits shown other places?
(17:34):
You know, so that we are morethan just here in Broward County
.
Chris Baker (17:38):
And I think that's extremely important.
That is yeah, that is awesome.
All right, looking ahead, whatare some of the strategic
priorities that World AIDSMuseum is looking to add to its
mission to help eliminate thestigma of HIV and AIDS through
its programming?
Natalie Tyler (17:57):
Well, we want to increase our diversity and
international content withdifferent collections and
exhibits and programs, so thatwe can connect with other
museums across the United States, so that we can share our
exhibits with them as well, sothat we can be able to, you know
, reach other people on a morebroad spectrum okay, so that's
(18:17):
one of the goals as well.
And then to share our exhibitsso that they're they're mobile,
so that, for example, if you'rewalking through a mall and you
see different artwork, thosethat artwork is from different
artists and from differentexhibits, right so to be able to
share that, so that we can beable to broaden that and bring
more people into the doors.
And also to engage with othercultural partners.
(18:40):
So we want to engage with otherpartners, like we mentioned, so
that we can support our missionand support their mission as
well.
Chris Baker (18:48):
Awesome.
So how can the community andthe world hopefully the whole
world can help get in contactwith you?
So you know what is the numberto call to help get involved, to
donate website, what's theinformation that you can give to
our watchers.
Natalie Tyler (19:03):
Well, you can donate by going on
wwwworldaidsmuseum here.
We have a little informationright here, okay, all right, and
we're at thewwwworldaidsmuseumorg yesorg.
Okay, and you can also go onour website.
You can also go to the floridaaids walk okay and you will see
(19:27):
the recipients there and youwill see the world aids museum
and you just click and then youcan make a donation to Natalie
Warrior Walkers that's the nameof my team because we are
Natalie's Warrior Walkers,because you got to be a warrior
in order to fight the fight withHIV and AIDS.
The fight does not stop.
You have to armor up and youhave to get out there and you
(19:47):
know you can make a donation,you can walk, you can walk
virtually.
You can say you know what Iwould like to create?
Chris Baker (19:58):
my own team under your team, Natalie, and I'm
going to raise X amount ofdollars.
Natalie Tyler (20:00):
That's the goal.
So, and that is the goal, andif you need any further
information, you can email me atnatalieatworldaidsmuseumorg.
Chris Baker (20:09):
Perfect, and also there is a number here as well
dot org.
Natalie Tyler (20:19):
Perfect, and also there is a number here as well,
so 954-930-0550 yes, and pleasecheck out our exhibits document
.
Chris Baker (20:24):
Remember and empower.
Natalie Tyler (20:25):
So the actual exhibit here is within art serve
correct, we're located righthere in the art serve building
at at 1350 East SunriseBoulevard.
When you come in the beautifulArtServe building you will see
the World AIDS Museum.
Follow the arrows and the firstexhibit you will see will to
the origins of HIV and then youcan walk through and see exactly
(20:48):
what's happened from the 80sadvocacy, what's going on in the
2000s and what's happening now,up to date.
So it gives you a lot ofvaluable information.
And the funds we raise we wantto raise those funds so we can
(21:09):
also have an audio component ofthe museum.
So, because there's so muchinformation, you want to walk
and you want to listen and hearexactly what's going on.
Chris Baker (21:19):
I love that.
Natalie Tyler (21:20):
And you know we're really happy and proud to
have the founder, which is SteveStagone.
Ok, so he is the founder of theWorld AIDS Museum, so you know
he is very supportive with theinformation and all that we have
going on here.
Chris Baker (21:36):
That's amazing.
Alright, so before we wrap up,our show.
I have a legacy question that Iask all my guests, so this
one's personal to you.
So what is the legacy you hopeto leave behind through
everything that you are doing inlife, and how will it help
inspire future generations?
Natalie Tyler (21:56):
You know my legacy.
When it's all said and done andI close my eyes and I take my
last breath and people think ofme and I want them to think of
me and say you know, nataliereally is a very positive person
.
She gives off great energy.
I love life, I have a zest forlife, and I just want to close
(22:17):
my eyes and say God is my jobwell done.
Did I make this world betterwhen I left, which is my goal?
Yes, and to make people smileand laugh and just enjoy life,
because that's what it's allabout.
We are all in here together.
None of us are coming out alive, so we might as well enjoy each
other.
And I want people to know andsay you know, she's a good heart
(22:41):
, she's a good person.
I'm glad I, when I meet people,no matter where I meet them, I
want them to feel that glow,that energy, that flow that I
give.
That's going to make you wantto wake up and smile again
another day.
Chris Baker (22:51):
That's beautiful.
I love that.
I really do so.
Natalie, thank you so much forbeing on Visual Eyes With Us.
Natalie Tyler (22:56):
I appreciate it.
Thank you, I appreciate you andlook everybody out there.
Please make sure you check outour website
wwwworldaidsmuseumorg.
Go on to the Florida AIDSwebsite, look up Natalie's
Warrior Walkers.
Make a donation and headshotfor cause, because we know some
(23:20):
people out there.
You need a headshot.
Get rid of that old headshotthat you had 10 years ago and
get a new headshot.
Chris Baker (23:26):
It's true, it's true, okay.
Natalie Tyler (23:31):
And it will benefit you know it'll benefit
two other organizations besidesthe World AIDS Museum, but get a
new headshot.
Chris Baker (23:40):
Again, thank you so much for being on the show
today and we look forward to ourfuture collaboration.
Natalie Tyler (23:45):
Oh, definitely.
Thank you, Chris.
Chris Baker (23:49):
Thank you for joining me on this episode of
Visual Eyes.
We hope that the inspirationand practical insights can help
you foster stronger connectionsand meaningful change.
Don't forget to subscribe,share the episode and leave us a
review.
To learn more about Visuals byMomo and how we support
collaboration and storytelling,visit visualsbymomo.
com.
(24:10):
A huge thank you to everyoneout there listening.
Until next time, remember,collaboration fuels change and
your connections can inspire theworld.
Welcome to Visual Eyes, the podcast where
collaboration fuels change.
I'm your host, Chris Baker, andeach week, we'll explore
incredible connections betweennonprofits, businesses and the
community.
This is a space where wehighlight inspiring partnerships
, uncover strategies forcreating meaningful impact and
share stories that show howworking together can make all
(00:24):
the difference.
Whether you're a nonprofitleader, a business owner or
someone just passionate aboutbuilding connections, this
podcast is for you.
Welcome to Visual Eyes.
Today we have Natalie Tyler Ididn't say this right, Natalie
Tyler and she works at theWorld's AIDS Museum, Natalie.
Natalie Tyler (00:47):
Yes, welcome to the show, thank you.
Thank you, I'm glad to be here.
Chris Baker (00:50):
I'm so grateful that you're here as well.
Could you share with us andeverybody that's out here a
little bit about your journeyand what inspired you to become
a part of WAM, World's AIDSMuseum?
Natalie Tyler (01:01):
Well, my journey working with nonprofit
organizations began over 30years ago.
Originally, I'm from New Jersey, came to Florida 10 years ago
and working in nonprofits.
You know they are all about thenonprofits to help social
change individuals that arestruggling for social needs and
to improve the quality of lifeand advocate for those who
(01:22):
cannot advocate for themselves.
So when I saw this opportunityat the World AIDS Museum, which
is WHAM, I'm like okay, this ispersonal to me.
You know, at this point in mycareer I really am very
conscientious of where I want togo and what I want to do when
it comes to my career andworking with the population, hiv
aid clients and also educatingthem.
(01:42):
That's important to me because,you know, the mission of the
World AIDS Museum is to promotedialogue that eliminates the HIV
aid stigma through education,cultural programming and
dialogue that is going topromote these things as well.
Chris Baker (01:58):
I think that's extremely valuable and important
because right now there's stillthat stigma in the community.
You know HIV is a bad thing,right, but it's not what it used
to be Not at all, not at all.
Natalie Tyler (02:11):
And when you, you know in the museum it's
beautiful because you knowchronologically we set up
exactly what the chronologicalaspects of HIV, where it began.
You know what's going on today,the medication that's taking
place, so it's not like it wasback when it hit the scenes in
the early 80s.
(02:32):
You know the late 70s, so it'sdifferent now.
But still I don't think it getsas much notoriety as it should
Because some people still don'tthink oh, HIV, it's no longer
here, you know, because it's notspoken about a lot, but it's
still strong and it's stillgoing on.
And, most importantly, peopleneed to know their status.
(02:52):
I don't care if you're male,female, heterosexual, homosexual
.
Know your status Because youknow I have friends who are
females, that are straight buthave HIV.
Chris Baker (03:04):
It's not just a LGBTQ+.
Natalie Tyler (03:06):
No, it's not at all.
Chris Baker (03:09):
It's not in that culture, it's everywhere.
It's global, like there's somany populations all over the
world.
Natalie Tyler (03:15):
All over the world.
Chris Baker (03:16):
That are affected by it and one of the things that
we have a lot more resourceshere and we have a lot more
medications here than some otherplaces.
Natalie Tyler (03:25):
Right, and there's other populations that
are not able to get theeducation and get the medication
that they need.
Chris Baker (03:31):
Right.
Natalie Tyler (03:32):
You know, and that's you know, that causes a
problem for people who reallyneed their meds.
Because there are, you know,you, they have a whole lot of
vast medications right now.
You know, they have Cavanuva,which is the one-time shop.
They have PrEP, which preventsyou before you know, a
preventive medication.
But the stigma is still outthere and I think people need to
(03:52):
really become educated on HIV.
Right, you know and, like I said, step one is know your status.
Okay, become educated on it and, like I said, the World AIDS
Museum.
We want to eliminate thatnegative stigma that is attached
with HIV and AIDS througheducation, cultural programming,
dialogue, so that we can beable to sit around the table and
(04:15):
speak on this.
Chris Baker (04:16):
Talking about some of those programs, can you dive
a little bit more into whatthose are Like?
When you talk about theeducation, what type of
education are you able to doright now?
Do you have any upcoming events, anything happening in the
future?
Natalie Tyler (04:29):
well, right now, in the future, which is pretty
um exciting is that you know theworld aids museum is.
You know we have been selectedagain for the last decade as a
beneficiary for the florida aidswall oh awesome with the um ahf
, which is the AIDS HealthFoundation.
Chris Baker (04:46):
All right.
Natalie Tyler (04:46):
Okay, so you know , and that is going to take
place on March 15th 2025.
Okay, and there are 15 otherbeneficiaries along with
ourselves, so that's 16organizations that are going to
benefit from this walk as weraise funds.
Chris Baker (05:02):
Wow, that's amazing .
Natalie Tyler (05:04):
And all those funds are going to be matched by
AHF and those funds are goingto, yes, dollar for dollar.
So if you have someone who'sgoing to get $50, that 50 is
going to turn into 100.
Chris Baker (05:13):
Well, that's fantastic.
Natalie Tyler (05:14):
So I mean in order and for that, the funds
that are coming through the doorfor the world AIDS Museum is
going to continue to help usincrease our programs, increase
our awareness, increase theeducation portion of it.
You know we want to alsocontinue the programs that we
already have existing right nowand increase the exhibits that
(05:34):
are going on.
Chris Baker (05:35):
That's okay, that's fantastic.
One other thing that weactually have going on
collaboration is our headshotsfor a cause.
Natalie Tyler (05:44):
Correct yes, and I'm excited by that.
Chris Baker (05:46):
Yeah.
So let me just explain a littlebit more about Headshots for a
Cause If the audience doesn'tknow.
So at the end of 2024, we trieda pilot program to see how it
would go, and so we started togive the net proceeds of the
headshots to a nonprofitorganization.
(06:06):
What happened is it actuallystarted to grow a little bit
more and we're loving thetrajectory.
So now here in 2025, we areselecting three nonprofits every
quarter.
Natalie Tyler (06:18):
We're one of them and one of the nonprofits is
Wham World.
Day Museum.
Chris Baker (06:22):
And so when they go on to headshotsforacausecom,
they actually can choose whichnonprofit of the three that are
selected that their proceeds cango, or they can divvy it up
between all three of them.
Natalie Tyler (06:34):
That's where they would love to do it, to do the
timing is perfect because it'sthe beginning of the new year,
people are looking for the newcareer moves and, like I said,
we can promote this with theother 15 beneficiary
organizations to say, hey, doyou know someone in your
organization or know someone whoneeds a headshot?
Well, here we got headshot fora cause you know and and and.
(06:54):
It's perfect timing, like Isaid, for the first quarter of
the year, because these fundsare going to go towards the goal
that we have for the FloridaAIDS Walk.
Chris Baker (07:02):
That's fantastic.
That actually makes me evenhappier that we're able to work
together because the money isgoing to actually benefit right
at the right time and be doubled.
And doubled, that's even better.
Natalie Tyler (07:12):
And double yes and double, so that we can
double the programming anddouble the efforts that we are
making to make sure that we'reeducating, providing artistic
expression, bringing culturalprogramming to the community to
let them know that, hey, HIV ishere and it is not a death
sentence.
But we still need to educateour community.
(07:34):
And we need to educate ourblack community, because right
now our black community inBroward County has the largest
HIV statistics across this wholestate of Florida.
So Broward County andMiami-Dade are leading.
Chris Baker (07:49):
So that brings us to colors of HIV.
Yes, can you speak a little bitabout that now?
Natalie Tyler (07:57):
colors of HIV.
Yes, can you speak a little bitabout that now, which is
probably my favorite exhibitColors of HIV.
Because there is really nocolor.
It's black, it's white, it'sHispanic, it is poor.
You know it's on the top of thefinancial spectrum, you know
it's your neighbor, it's yourcoworker, you know it's your
family.
I mean for me personally, andyou know I'm not sharing
(08:19):
anything that my family memberwouldn't want to be shared,
because my sister has beenliving with HIV for 35 years.
She has a proud story to tellabout it, you know, and you know
she's 67 right now.
So for her, for the, you know,to change her life and to have
been living with this when itfirst came on the scenes up
north.
And you know, when you firstget diagnosed and you know she
(08:42):
was then just living in denialbut also doing some
self-destructive behavior.
But then, once you get a gripon it and say, okay, this is not
the end of my life, you know,it's just a calm, a punctuating
my life to loftier heights,that's what I say.
You know it means something tome to work for the World AIDS
Museum, because I personallyhave someone most dear to me
(09:05):
that is going through it, youknow, but now has changed.
Her light is back, she is awitness, she has a testimony.
So when we talk about the colorsof HIV, it doesn't matter what
color you are, they're alldifferent colors.
You see that our exhibit showswith Magic Johnson when he came
on the scene, you know.
(09:26):
It shows from Arthur Ashe, okay, when he was diagnosed with HIV
through a blood transfusion.
It shows Ryan White.
The young boy had HIV throughalso a blood transfusion and
couldn't go to school.
So there is no color butthere's colors.
Every color of the rainbowbasically affects us with HIV.
(09:47):
So that exhibit, when you seepeople's faces, it could be my
face, it could be your face, itcould be our neighbor's face, it
could be someone at Publix, asupermarket, anywhere we go, you
never know what the status ofsomeone is.
So those are the colors of HIV.
That speaks to me.
Chris Baker (10:03):
And the story about your sister specifically.
I have to go back to that one.
Natalie Tyler (10:08):
You said 35 years , yeah, 35 years.
Chris Baker (10:11):
So that's, you know , a testament to the fact that
it's not a death sentence.
Natalie Tyler (10:15):
No, it's not.
And you know she's coming toFlorida to be with me during the
AIDS walk so she can walk andgive her testimony and share her
testimony about where she'scome from and where she was and
where she's at right now, andjust to see her.
Now.
You know her life is different,she's different, and it just it
speaks to me.
And she you know, my sister,you know her life is different,
(10:35):
she's different and, um, it justit speaks to me that she you
know my, my sister, you knowJuanita is different now and and
even though that changed her,it changed her for the better,
in reality on.
Chris Baker (10:47):
You know there's a lot of stories.
I've struggled throughdifferent things and I'm I'm no
longer really talking to myfamily.
It's for the better.
Natalie Tyler (10:55):
Right Like.
Chris Baker (10:56):
I am stronger.
I am more resilient, I've beenable to actually follow my
dreams Right.
It's not always a case.
So in the case of your sister,I'm so happy to hear you know
she didn't look at this as anend.
Natalie Tyler (11:11):
Right.
Chris Baker (11:11):
But now she's looking at it as a whole new
beginning.
Natalie Tyler (11:13):
And in the beginning, you know, the medical
field didn't know what it was.
You know they were givencocktails.
You had to take this pill withthat pill, this pill with that
pill, and when you werediagnosed with it, it was as if,
okay, that's it.
You got about a month to live.
People were feeling that theywere just desolate.
This was it, but it wasn't it.
You know was it, but it wasn'tit.
(11:37):
You know it wasn't it.
As you, she continued to liveher life and continue to change
her mentality, which is the mostimportant thing, because you
are what you think.
I believe that.
So once she started to changeher mentality and say you know
what?
This is not a death sentence,let me get on the regiment, let
me educate myself as well, asshe educated herself on what
medications to take, what worksfor her, what does not work for
her.
And she also discovered thatthose who do not have HIV are
(12:02):
more of a harm to her than those.
If you do not have HIV and ifthere's a sickness that you have
and someone who has HIV becausetheir immune system is down,
you are more, you know, at risk.
That person is more at harmthan the person you know who has
HIV.
(12:22):
So people with HIV has to bemore careful of the people that
they're around.
Chris Baker (12:26):
Yeah.
Natalie Tyler (12:27):
Because their immune systems are down.
Chris Baker (12:29):
No, that's true, yeah.
Natalie Tyler (12:30):
So she, you know, she's come a long way and I'm
proud of her.
And she, she's just living herlife now, and living a great
life now, and she's proud to say, yeah, I'm living with HIV and
I'm living with HIV successfully.
So those, to me that's thecolors of HIV.
It doesn't matter who you are.
And right now we, even with ourolder active adults, our senior
(12:51):
population, it's abouteducating because, you know, a
lot of older active adultseniors are, you know, having
intercourse and they think that,hey, you know, it's not going
to affect me.
I can't get pregnant, you know,but you can continue.
You can attract an STD, yeah,so you know.
Also, it's, you know, the WorldAIDS Museum going out into the
(13:13):
community to educate those whoare not coming to the museum.
So that's a goal that I havelike to bring the World AIDS
Museum out into the world needsmore visibility more visibility.
You know, one of my goals, orone of my dreams, is to have a
traveling van where our exhibitis in a van and that we can go
(13:34):
out and we can share and be ableto share what we've had seen
and share.
Like it says here, we document,remember and power.
So we document the history ofHIV and share that with the
community and empower people tosee hey, I'm empowered to go on
with my life and to have anaudio so that people can hear
(13:55):
the origins of HIV and just togo out into the world to share
that with everyone else and tobring awareness, because that's
what we're supposed to do.
We are supposed to in ourmission is to educate artistic
expression, which having a vanis a nice artistic expression.
It could be, and culturalprogramming diverse cultural
programming.
Chris Baker (14:14):
Yeah.
Have you worked with any othernonprofits in the past?
Natalie Tyler (14:19):
Yes, we've worked with several nonprofits in the
past and we're looking to workwith others as well.
Ujima is a nonprofitorganization that is also a
recipient of the AHF, so we'vebeen collaborating with them.
We've collaborated with LegacyBuilders.
So we've had different eventsthat are going on there and we
(14:39):
also collaborate.
For example, I have a softballteam, so we collaborate with
Wise Cheers, which is one of oursponsors.
You know they're sponsoring.
You know providing a nicefinancial support.
So we're collaborating withother organizations and we
welcome more collaborations.
You know provided a nicefinancial support, so we're
collaborating with otherorganizations and we welcome
more collaborations.
You know so that we can,because when you collaborate
with other organizations, youare able to have a broader reach
(15:02):
.
Chris Baker (15:03):
You are, and it's not always about the money.
Natalie Tyler (15:05):
No, it's not always about the money.
Chris Baker (15:07):
Sometimes it's a resource or something else that
the other nonprofit orfor-profit business even is able
to give.
Right and I think that's one ofthe things that we're trying to
do with this show is to reallymake sure that hey, it's not
always about you know, donatingmoney is very helpful.
It's not the only way you canmake things happen.
(15:28):
There's a lot of other ways,because even with your.
Natalie Tyler (15:31):
You know, in volunteers there are the three
T's with volunteers Time, talentor treasure.
So either you know, you cangive your time, which is very
valuable, so if you need avolunteer to you know, do this
at one event or something else.
Time is very valuable.
Your talent you may have avolunteer who is just an expert
with media, social media, who'san expert with Excel, whatever
(15:55):
it is that their organizationalskills.
And then their treasure theirtreasure is their financial
participation and it may not betheir treasure.
They may know someone to say,hey, I know someone who is able
to give on a level that I cannotgive.
Chris Baker (16:10):
It's true.
Sometimes we know the peoplethat are looking for a cause
Right and we're not the onesthat actually have the money in
the coffers to pay for it.
Natalie Tyler (16:17):
And sometimes people are like oh, I don't have
much to give, I can only give$25.
But if you give $25, that $25will be matched from AHF for the
Florida AIDS Walk.
So people got to understandit's not how much you give's
that you give, that's the mostimportant thing.
Or walk, that's right and orrun, or you can virtually.
(16:38):
You can virtually walk you cansign up because I have my family
that is from new jersey, yeah,so a lot of my family members
have signed up to virtually walk, oh and participate.
So that you know I want tocross across the whole united
states, get people involved, say, hey, there's a Florida AIDS
walk that's going on in Marchhere in Florida.
I live in Texas, I don't haveto walk, but I can virtually
(17:00):
walk.
You know, here I am, you know,in South Carolina I can
virtually walk, so that we areon the map.
The World AIDS Museum, thatmeans the wide, whole, wide
world.
Chris Baker (17:11):
Yeah, it's not just South Florida.
Natalie Tyler (17:12):
No, it's not just South Florida.
No, it's not just South Florida.
That's like saying, oh, hiv andAIDS only exist in South
Florida.
No, it exists across the wholeglobe.
Right, and that's another youknow initiative that we are
doing for WAM is get it outacross the globe,
internationally, you know, haveour exhibits shown other places?
(17:34):
You know, so that we are morethan just here in Broward County
.
Chris Baker (17:38):
And I think that's extremely important.
That is yeah, that is awesome.
All right, looking ahead, whatare some of the strategic
priorities that World AIDSMuseum is looking to add to its
mission to help eliminate thestigma of HIV and AIDS through
its programming?
Natalie Tyler (17:57):
Well, we want to increase our diversity and
international content withdifferent collections and
exhibits and programs, so thatwe can connect with other
museums across the United States, so that we can share our
exhibits with them as well, sothat we can be able to, you know
, reach other people on a morebroad spectrum okay, so that's
(18:17):
one of the goals as well.
And then to share our exhibitsso that they're they're mobile,
so that, for example, if you'rewalking through a mall and you
see different artwork, thosethat artwork is from different
artists and from differentexhibits, right so to be able to
share that, so that we can beable to broaden that and bring
more people into the doors.
And also to engage with othercultural partners.
(18:40):
So we want to engage with otherpartners, like we mentioned, so
that we can support our missionand support their mission as
well.
Chris Baker (18:48):
Awesome.
So how can the community andthe world hopefully the whole
world can help get in contactwith you?
So you know what is the numberto call to help get involved, to
donate website, what's theinformation that you can give to
our watchers.
Natalie Tyler (19:03):
Well, you can donate by going on
wwwworldaidsmuseum here.
We have a little informationright here, okay, all right, and
we're at thewwwworldaidsmuseumorg yesorg.
Okay, and you can also go onour website.
You can also go to the floridaaids walk okay and you will see
(19:27):
the recipients there and youwill see the world aids museum
and you just click and then youcan make a donation to Natalie
Warrior Walkers that's the nameof my team because we are
Natalie's Warrior Walkers,because you got to be a warrior
in order to fight the fight withHIV and AIDS.
The fight does not stop.
You have to armor up and youhave to get out there and you
(19:47):
know you can make a donation,you can walk, you can walk
virtually.
You can say you know what Iwould like to create?
Chris Baker (19:58):
my own team under your team, Natalie, and I'm
going to raise X amount ofdollars.
Natalie Tyler (20:00):
That's the goal.
So, and that is the goal, andif you need any further
information, you can email me atnatalieatworldaidsmuseumorg.
Chris Baker (20:09):
Perfect, and also there is a number here as well
dot org.
Natalie Tyler (20:19):
Perfect, and also there is a number here as well,
so 954-930-0550 yes, and pleasecheck out our exhibits document
.
Chris Baker (20:24):
Remember and empower.
Natalie Tyler (20:25):
So the actual exhibit here is within art serve
correct, we're located righthere in the art serve building
at at 1350 East SunriseBoulevard.
When you come in the beautifulArtServe building you will see
the World AIDS Museum.
Follow the arrows and the firstexhibit you will see will to
the origins of HIV and then youcan walk through and see exactly
(20:48):
what's happened from the 80sadvocacy, what's going on in the
2000s and what's happening now,up to date.
So it gives you a lot ofvaluable information.
And the funds we raise we wantto raise those funds so we can
(21:09):
also have an audio component ofthe museum.
So, because there's so muchinformation, you want to walk
and you want to listen and hearexactly what's going on.
Chris Baker (21:19):
I love that.
Natalie Tyler (21:20):
And you know we're really happy and proud to
have the founder, which is SteveStagone.
Ok, so he is the founder of theWorld AIDS Museum, so you know
he is very supportive with theinformation and all that we have
going on here.
Chris Baker (21:36):
That's amazing.
Alright, so before we wrap up,our show.
I have a legacy question that Iask all my guests, so this
one's personal to you.
So what is the legacy you hopeto leave behind through
everything that you are doing inlife, and how will it help
inspire future generations?
Natalie Tyler (21:56):
You know my legacy.
When it's all said and done andI close my eyes and I take my
last breath and people think ofme and I want them to think of
me and say you know, nataliereally is a very positive person
.
She gives off great energy.
I love life, I have a zest forlife, and I just want to close
(22:17):
my eyes and say God is my jobwell done.
Did I make this world betterwhen I left, which is my goal?
Yes, and to make people smileand laugh and just enjoy life,
because that's what it's allabout.
We are all in here together.
None of us are coming out alive, so we might as well enjoy each
other.
And I want people to know andsay you know, she's a good heart
(22:41):
, she's a good person.
I'm glad I, when I meet people,no matter where I meet them, I
want them to feel that glow,that energy, that flow that I
give.
That's going to make you wantto wake up and smile again
another day.
Chris Baker (22:51):
That's beautiful.
I love that.
I really do so.
Natalie, thank you so much forbeing on Visual Eyes With Us.
Natalie Tyler (22:56):
I appreciate it.
Thank you, I appreciate you andlook everybody out there.
Please make sure you check outour website
wwwworldaidsmuseumorg.
Go on to the Florida AIDSwebsite, look up Natalie's
Warrior Walkers.
Make a donation and headshotfor cause, because we know some
(23:20):
people out there.
You need a headshot.
Get rid of that old headshotthat you had 10 years ago and
get a new headshot.
Chris Baker (23:26):
It's true, it's true, okay.
Natalie Tyler (23:31):
And it will benefit you know it'll benefit
two other organizations besidesthe World AIDS Museum, but get a
new headshot.
Chris Baker (23:40):
Again, thank you so much for being on the show
today and we look forward to ourfuture collaboration.
Natalie Tyler (23:45):
Oh, definitely.
Thank you, Chris.
Chris Baker (23:49):
Thank you for joining me on this episode of
Visual Eyes.
We hope that the inspirationand practical insights can help
you foster stronger connectionsand meaningful change.
Don't forget to subscribe,share the episode and leave us a
review.
To learn more about Visuals byMomo and how we support
collaboration and storytelling,visit visualsbymomo.
com.
(24:10):
A huge thank you to everyoneout there listening.
Until next time, remember,collaboration fuels change and
your connections can inspire theworld.
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