ANTONIO CORNELIUS BAKER, CIVIL RIGHTS AND HIV/AIDS ADVOCATE, PASSES AWAY
The community is mourning the loss of Antonio Cornelius Baker, a prominent advocate for civil rights and HIV/AIDS, who passed away on November 10, 2024. Baker, a native of Syracuse, New York, and resident of Washington, D.C., dedicated his life to fighting for justice and equality, leaving behind a legacy of love, compassion, and tireless advocacy.
Baker’s career spanned over three decades, with notable roles in the National AIDS Program Office of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the National Association of People with AIDS (NAPWA), and the Whitman-Walker Clinic. He also served as the Chief Policy Advisory for the Office of the Global AIDS Coordinator and Health Diplomacy at the U.S. Department of State and was a Special Advisor to the National Institutes of Health’s Office of AIDS Research and PEPFAR Liaison.
Throughout his life, Baker received numerous awards for his contributions to the HIV/AIDS community, including the Diego Lopez Award, the Rainbow History Project Community Pioneer award, and the DC Community Hero award. He was also a teacher at the Rollins School of Public Health at Emory University and a Program Coordinator for Educational Initiatives & Programs at the Centre for Sexuality & Gender Diversity.
Baker’s passing has left an immense void in the hearts of those who knew and loved him, particularly in the HIV/AIDS and LGBTQ+ communities. His friend, Carol Schwartz, paid tribute to him on Facebook, saying, “With the saddest of hearts, I salute my dearest friend of 40 years… A. Cornelius Baker, for the extraordinary life he led and all the time, effort, and love he gave to make the world a better place for all of us.”
The funeral arrangements and obituary for Antonio Cornelius Baker will be announced by his family at a later date. As we mourn the loss of this remarkable individual, we honor his legacy by continuing to fight for justice, equality, and compassion for all. Rest in peace, dear Cornelius. Your impact will never be forgotten.
