Sara Baltierrez
Program Manager, Black Health
Pronouns: She/her/hers
415-800-9477
sbaltierrez@sfaf.org
Black Health
We are here to prioritize the needs, challenges, joys, and celebrations of our Black communities. Led and informed by Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) staff, the Black Health team fosters Black communities, spaces, and events.
What is Black Health?
We are a community of communities, welcoming you to social events, support groups, learning events, and more.
Black Brothers Esteem (BBE)
BBE, established in 1996, welcomes Black same-gender loving men who range in age from 20s to 80s. We gather for book clubs, volunteer events, educational events, and more.
TransLife
Our TransLife program, through radical hospitality and care, have a community that is open to people of all genders, ethnicities, races, and ages. Although many TransLife members don’t identify as Black, the community is deeply aligned with the history, activism, and efforts of Black trans women.
HUES
We are honored to engage Black women across the spectrum of age who have reasons for HIV prevention and care. Through this programming, Black women will have the space to share and support one another centering health, wellness, joy, happiness, pleasure, and safety.
More info: Contact Ebony Gordon egordon@sfaf.org or 415-305-3495.
Reclaim
Reclaim is a support group with a focus for Stonewall participants who may find a Black-centric space healing. We support each other around issues related to substance use, racism, sexual health, isolation and more.
HIV & Aging Case Management
Finding your way through the healthcare system can be difficult. That’s why we have team members devoted to case management and support. Contact Ebony Gordon at egordon@sfaf.org.
Black Health Staff
Brian Ragas
Director, Black Health
Pronouns: He/him/his
415-601-1833
bragas@sfaf.org
Asia Stephens
Program Assistant, Black Health
Pronouns: They/them/theirs
415-800-9696
astephens@sfaf.org
Traye Turner
Manager, Clinical Assistants (Black Health)
Pronouns: He/him/his
415-920-3860
tturner@sfaf.org
Preston Vargas, PhD
Senior Director, Community Partnerships & Engagement
Pronouns: He/him/his
pvargas@sfaf.org
Read Bio
Pronouns: He/him/his
pvargas@sfaf.org
Preston Vargas, PhD
Senior Director, Community Partnerships & Engagement
Preston Vargas, PhD, is the interim senior director of community partnerships & engagement at San Francisco AIDS Foundation. He is responsible for the Aging Services, Black Health, and Housing & Benefits teams at SFAF, and in addition leads collaborations with partner community-based organizations in the Bay Area.
Previously, Preston served as the Director of Black Health at SFAF. In this capacity, he oversaw the Black Brothers Esteem (BBE) and TransLife groups, shaping the experience of Black communities at SFAF through resilience-building, social support, and learning opportunities. Previously, he served as the BBE coordinator, as a residential substance use counselor at Positive Resource Center, and as a case manager for Northern Rhode Island Community Services. Preston holds a PhD from the California Institute of Integral Studies and is a certified alcohol and drug counselor-certified addiction specialist CADC-CAS.
Black Brothers Esteem videos
Black Brothers Esteem Members share their coming out experiences.
