EXPECT TO GET WET.

LEARN ABOUT THE PROJECT MAKING A SPLASH IN THE PHOENIX LGBTQ+ COMMUNITY.

OUR MISSION & VISION

We flood our Phoenix LGBTQ+ Community with the love, tools, and information needed to reduce the impact of HIV in each of our lives – regardless of status.

We’ll keep creating focused, long-lasting ripples of awareness throughout the community until each person has access to a cure.

WHAT MAKES US UNIQUE

We’re a back-to-grass-roots project created for our LGBTQ+ community to address today’s HIV virus through impact-focused splashes of awareness, action, love, and celebrations of sexual expression.

RipplePHX’s Team moves throughout the streets each week to empower our friends to create their own ripple by becoming informed, sharing the knowledge, and embracing at least one tool in the greater movement toward sexual health in our community.

NEW LOCATION ANNOUNCED!

We’re excited to announce the signing of a lease at the corner of 15th Ave and Indian School Road (formerly the Latin Market) – soon to be the new home of RipplePHX!  

Read more about the location, and the exciting plans for service expansion in the space aimed to open in the Fall of 2023 by viewing the Press Release.

Funding in-part brought to you by:

SOME OF OUR PROUDEST MOMENTS

2018
April 2018
Founding
RipplePHX Founded

After leaving Southwest Center for HIV/AIDS, Jeremy Bright and Jason Jones decided to develop a new HIV outreach project that would be truly back-to-grassroots and from/for their community.

May 2018
Program Launch
Ariel Launches

With the incredible support from Alphagraphics on University, Ariel launched as RipplePHX's first mobile outreach unit - able to roll through bars, festivals and more to bring tools and services to the community.

June 2018
501(c)(3) Status
RipplePHX Receives 501(c)(3) Status

RipplePHX receives 501(c)(3) nonprofit status from the IRS.

June 2018
Program Funding
RipplePHX Funded for 5 Year Grant!

RipplePHX was funded for it's first grant: a 5-Year Behavioral Intervention Grant from Arizona's Department of Health Services.

November 2018
Pageant
First Miss and Mister RipplePHX Pageant

RipplePHX holds the first Mister and Miss RipplePHX Pageant with Phoenix Pride to give two individuals in the community a year-long platform to make an impact around HIV and to qualify for Mister and Miss Phoenix Pride.

November 2018
Program Launch
Ariella Grande Launches!

"Ariella Grande" launches at Rainbows Festival and is RipplePHX's large, modular unit built for use at large festivals, street fairs and events.  Built by 11th Monk3y.

November 2018
Program Launch
Ripplettes make their debut!

RipplePHX debuts "The Ripplettes" to support and provide HIV outreach to local LGBTQ+ Sports Teams.

December 2018
Award
Best Cupcake!

Andy Castano's cupcakes were awarded Best Cupcake at the Imperial Court of Arizona's Holiday Bake-Off!

2019
January 2019
Award
Jason Jones named Leader of the Year

RipplePHX Co-Founder, Jason Jones was named Leader of the Year from ECHO Magazine.

January 2019
Program Launch
RipplePHX hosts first Carnival Event

As a way to bring the community together for a large-scale HIV Testing and Fundraising Event, RipplePHX creates and launches it's first Carnival Event at Stacy's @ Melrose.

March 2019
Award
3rd Place Chili!

RipplePHX won 3rd Place Chili for our entry in the Cactus City Softball League's Marla Hooch Chili Cook-Off.

March 2019
Award
1st Place Salsa

RipplePHX won 1st Place Salsa for our entry in the Cactus City Softball League's Marla Hooch Chili Cook-Off.

April 2019
Award
$25,000 AAHIVM Technology Award Winner!

RipplePHX's Ariel Outreach Units win the American Academy of HIV Medicine's Technology in Health Care Award.

April 2019
Program Launch
Pharmacy & Bookstore Program Launches!

RipplePHX begins placing "Don't Quit, Do It!" Kits in Pharmacies to promote medication adherence and "Now, Later and Oh Snap!" Kits in Adult Bookstores to promote prevention, PrEP and PEP.

April 2019
Award
Fantastic FUNdraisers

RipplePHX featured in ION Arizona Magazine for being "Fantastic FUNdraisers".

May 2019
Award
FooManitarian Award

RipplePHX were awarded the FooManitarian Award during the Imperial Court of Arizona's Coronation.

July 2019
Award
Kirk Baxter Community Spirit Award

RipplePHX received Phoenix Pride's Kirk Baxter Community Spirit Award!

October 2019
Award
Mexi-Mac wins Macdown!

RipplePHX's "Mexi-Mac" entry in the Imperial Court of Arizona's Macdown Contest snags a win!

October 2019
Program Launch
Dia de los Muertos added to Carnival Events!

A 2-day, Dia de los Muertos celebration is added to RipplePHX's annual Fall Carnival Events.

October 2019
Program Launch
Carny Takeover Program Started!

RipplePHX launches the Carny Takeover Program where other local organizations are invited to takeover our Carnival game tents to meet the community and also share in the Carnival proceeds.

December 2019
Award
3D Gingerbread Houses win Bake-Off!

RipplePHX's 3D Gingerbread House entry in the Imperial Court of Arizona's Holiday Baking Challenge snags a win!

2020
January 2020
Program Funding
RipplePHX Funded for 1 Year Grant!

RipplePHX was funded for a 1-Year, Educational Grant for it's "Lotería" Project through the National Library of Medicine.

February 2020
Program Launch
Lotería Launches at Stacy's @ Melrose!

RipplePHX and 8 Key Influencers from the Latinx Community kick-off their new weekly project: Lotería!  

March 2020
Program Update
COVID forces Lotería from Stacy's to Virtual Space

When Arizona's Governor put stay-at-home orders in place, RipplePHX's new Lotería project didn't miss a beat and moved from an in-person weekly event to an online virtual event where it would remain throughout the year.

May 2020
Program Launch
RippleBriefs Launches

Due to ongoing COVID restrictions, RipplePHX launches a new program called "RippleBriefs" - a weekly mailing sign-up where people can receive HIV information, Condoms of the Week, Medication Adherence Tools, At-Home HIV Test Kits and more!

July 2020
Award
RipplePHX receives Award of Excellence

RipplePHX receives ArizonaDrag.com's Award of Excellence for our contribution to the success of Drag in Arizona.

October 2020
Program Launch
The Chariot Launches

The RipplePHX Team acquires an old transit bus from a nursing home, guts it and remodels it with the help of Spectrum Medical and Gilead Sciences.  The goal: to bring HIV testing services to people outside of Central Phoenix.

November 2020
Award
BJ Bud Community Spirit Award

RipplePHX received Phoenix Pride's BJ Bud Community Spirit Award during their virtual online award presentation.

2021
July 2021
Funding
Early Intervention Services Launch

RipplePHX is awarded an Early Intervention Services Grant from Ryan White to help connect newly-diagnosed individuals to HIV Care or to help people who have fallen out of care.

2022
June 2022
Funding
Announced Fall Carnival's Return Post-COVID!

RipplePHX brings back the annual Fall Carnival / Día de los Muertos Event to Stacy's @ Melrose, and expands the footprint with a grant from Phoenix Pride.

September 2022
Program Launch
Sunday Sports Jam Launch

RipplePHX launches the Sunday Fall Sports Jam with a partnership between 10 Phoenix LGBTQ+ Sports Leagues at Kobalt Bar with a Team of Ripplette Cheerleaders, live bands, food trucks, interactive games and Free HIV Testing!

2023
January 2023
Donation
1 Year Anniversary at Thunderbird Lounge

The Team at Thunderbird Lounge presenting RipplePHX a check for $5,000 during their 1-Year Anniversary Celebration of Loteria at the Melrose District Bar.

May 2023
Award
On Eagle's Wings Award

RipplePHX receives the coveted "On Eagles Wings" award from Emperor XVI Geo Johnson and Empress XVI Brooklyn Diaz of the Imperial Court of Arizona.

May 2023
New Location
RipplePHX Signs Lease in New Home Base

RipplePHX signs lease at the former Latin Market on the corner of 15th Ave & Indian School Road with plans to open to the public with night & weekend services in Fall 2023.

OUR TEAM

ALLEN GRIMSLEY 

Allen was born & raised in Glendale, AZ and now lives in Central Phoenix where he loves hanging with his Chiweeni, Princess Coco Chanel.  He loves long walks to Chipotle, chilling with a good beer at his favorite bars and reading vogue.  Allen has an eye for fashion and went to the Art Institute for fashion design and is now pursuing barbering.  Allen’s favorite tattoo is one that says “unless” from his favorite quote, “Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It’s not.”

Allen speaks English.

Event Specialist
Call/Text: (
623) 303-6073
Email:  Allen@RipplePHX.org

JASON JONES

Jason is one of the Co-Founders and is the Board Chair and Fiscal Manager for RipplePHX.  Jason also keeps The Chariot purring like a kitten but when he’s not on board The Chariot, you can probably catch Jason streaming Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt…over and over, and over again!  Since high school, Jason has always had an eye on trailblazing, with one of his favorite quotes still inspiring him today, “I will not follow where the path may lead, but I will go where there is no path, and I will leave a trail.” ~ Muriel Strode
 
Jason speaks both English and Spanish.
 
Co-Founder & Co-Executive Director
Call/Text:  
(623) 264-8653
Email:  Jason@RipplePHX.org

JEREMY BRIGHT

Jeremy is one of the Co-Founders and is the Chief Ripple-Maker at RipplePHX.  He loves developing innovative tools to reach into the Phoenix LGBTQ+ community to reduce the impact of HIV – regardless of status.  He’s a big fan of all things Star Trek and says there aren’t many days where he doesn’t watch at least one episode of one of the series, saying it brings him peace and hope for a future worth striving for. Jeremy’s also a member of the Imperial Court of Arizona, Arizona Leather Bears & Cubs (ALBAC) and before founding RipplePHX, he worked in the world of Marketing, Advertising and Graphic Design.

Jeremy speaks English.

Co-Founder & Co-Executive Director
Call/Text:  
(623) 264-8666
Email:  Jeremy@RipplePHX.org

JOSHUA HITCHCOCK

Bio coming soon.

Joshua speaks both English and Spanish.

PrEP Navigation Specialist
Call/Text:   (623) 303-7173

Email:  Joshua@RipplePHX.org

LUIS VAQUERA

Bio coming soon. 

Luis speaks both English and Spanish.

Digital Outreach Specialist
Call/Text:  (623) 303-6068

Email:  Luis@RipplePHX.org

MIGUEL FIGUEROA

Miguel is a proud native Phoenician and went to school at Trevor Brown High School (Go Bruins!) before getting his degree from ASU and is now pursuing his masters degree.  Miguel loves spending his down-time hanging out with family and working out to clear his head.  He loves watching Game of Thrones, Modern Family, and any kind of Action or Superhero movies.  Miguel finds his passion opening the doors to folks in the community who are living with HIV who need access to services but don’t know how to get started. 

Miguel speaks both English and Spanish.

Medical Case Manager
Call/Text: (623) 264-8652

Email:  Miguel@RipplePHX.org

SILVANO CRUZ-ANTUNEZ

Bio coming soon.

Silvano speaks both English and Spanish.

Early Intervention Specialist
Call/Text:  (623) 264-8651

Email:  Silvano@RipplePHX.org

THE THINGS WE BELIEVE IN THE MOST

COMMUNITY

We believe in the power of Community and strong partnerships! Together, we can bring the love, tools, services and information needed to reduce the impact of HIV in each of our lives. Even if you don't typically seek services on your own, we’ll be asking you to join us in the conversation and embrace tools to make an impact on HIV along the way.

A BOLD SPIRIT

We’re polite, genuine, and enthusiastic – but you can expect our spirit will also be BOLD. We’ll take risks, make you to clutch your pearls, and ask you to join us in conversations that may make you double-take. We believe it takes courage, commitment, passion and innovation to drive change and lessen the impact and stigma of HIV – regardless of status.

IMPACT FOCUSED

We know gay & bi men of color account for the majority of HIV infections in Maricopa County and there’s very little data to indicate the impact of HIV among our transgender community – although we know our trans friends are also affected. By focusing our efforts with the people we know the best, we can make the greatest impact on the virus in Phoenix.

BEING TRANSPARENT

We believe in being transparent along the way. We want our community to support us because they trust us to be committed to the mission and our community. You can see what we’ve accomplished along the way with real-time-reporting so you can see us in action, making an impact.

EMPOWERMENT

Someone once said “Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.” We’re committed to being at the forefront of tools and information related to HIV – helping you get started with the solutions that are the most realistic and obtainable for you that fit your sexual lifestyle.

SEXUAL EXPRESSION

We believe that healthy sexual expression involves both our bodies and our minds – free from guilt and shame. However you communicate and present yourself to the world as a sexual being, we embrace your sexual expression as an integral part of who you are – from mild to wild and everything (consensual) in-between.

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