Hydeia Broadbent

At birth, Hydeia Broadbent was abandoned at the University Medical Center of Southern Nevada in Las Vegas where Loren and Patricia Broadbent adopted her as an infant. Although her HIV condition was congenital, she was not diagnosed as HIV-positive with advancement to AIDS until age three. Now, Hydeia spends her time spreading the message of HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention, by promoting abstinence, safe-sex practices (for people who choose to have sex), and HIV/AIDS Awareness and prevention.

Hydeia Broadbent began her debut as an HIV/AIDS activist and public speaker at six years old.  By 12 years old, Hydeia appeared on many national television programs including Oprah, 20/20, Good Morning America, and “A Conversation with Magic Johnson” on Nickelodeon. She has been featured in prominent publications to include; New York Times, People, Teen People, Essence, Ebony and Sister 2 Sister. Hydeia also had the honor of co-graced the cover of TV Guide in 2005. Hydeia has also taken part in many of America’s talk radio programs including, The Michael Eric Dyson Show, Russ Parr Morning Show, and The Tom Joyner Morning Show. 2014 The OWN Network (The Oprah Winfrey Network) featured Hydeia on “Oprah’s Where Are They Now”, to date Hydeia is one of the most requested update by fans.

Over the past 10 years, Hydeia has become a notable speaker and guest panelist at many of America’s most respected educational institutions including but not limited to Duke University, Spelman, UCLA, USC, and Howard University.

Not since Ryan White has a young person who spoke out, on an international level, so passionately about having the virus. Hydeia is one of few young activists to follow in his footsteps and speak out on an international level about being affected by the HIV/AIDS virus.  Broadbent is also considered a pioneer as the first African-American youth to speak up and speak out about the epidemic. Ebony Magazine named Hydeia one of the Most Influential 150 African Americans in 2008 and 2011.