The Latino Commission on AIDS, The Commission, is a nonprofit organization.

In response to the critical, unmet need for HIV prevention and care for Latinos, a coalition of Latino leaders founded the agency in 1990. The Commission realizes its mission by spearheading health advocacy for Latinos, promoting HIV education, developing model prevention programs for high-risk communities, and by building capacity in community organizations.

Through its extensive network of partner organizations and community leaders, the Commission works to mobilize an effective community response to meet the health challenges and address the impact of HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis, and STIs in communities nationwide. The Latino Commission on AIDS has proudly served the Latinx LGBTQ population and is committed to creating and promoting a safe space. The Commission is the founder of the Hispanic Health Network, dedicated to eradicating health disparities in our communities.

Since its inception, the Commission has been directed by Dennis de Leon, a tireless advocate and national leader of the Latino community’s struggle to address the epidemic until his passing in December 2009. Guillermo Chacón, former Vice-President of the Latino Commission on AIDS and a national leader on Latinos and HIV/AIDS issues, was named President by the Board of Directors in November 2009.

The Commission is dedicated to resolving the HIV crisis in the Latino community, where social stigma, poverty, language barriers, immigration status fears, and access to care, deter testing and increase the infection rate. Over 200,000 Latinos in the U.S. and Puerto Rico are living with HIV/AIDS. The fastest-growing ethnic group in the U.S., Latinos constitute 17% of the U.S. population but account for over 19% of the AIDS cases.

Guillermo Chacón is the President of the Latino Commission on AIDS. He is recognized for his great ability to build networks and coalitions and mobilize Latino communities on the policy and program levels.  Among many other achievements, he has pioneered the First National Latino/Hispanic AIDS Leadership Summit, among national partners in the United States in January 2008 – a national agenda-setting process that shaped a comprehensive response to the AIDS crisis among Hispanic communities. On June 5, 2012, Guillermo Chacón was nominated by Governor Andrew Cuomo and confirmed by the New York State Senate to serve in the Minority Health Council until May 3, 2017.  Mr. Chacon also serves as a board member for The Salvadorean American National Network, Salud Latina/Latino Health in Chicago, Solidaridad Humana in Long Island, and the New York Immigration Coalition in New York State.