Longtime Penn CFAR CAB member and community activist and organizer Tyrone Smith has passed away. Tyrone was a true icon in the Philadelphia community. He was part of the ballroom scene in the 1950s and 1960s, and became an activist in the early days of the AIDS epidemic. He was co-founder of Unity, Inc., a grassroots organization for Black gay men that was the first to address HIV and AIDS. He also co-founded the Black Gay Men’s Leadership Council in Philadelphia in 2005. He was a powerful advocate for LGBTQ+ rights, HIV/AIDS awareness and education, and communities of color. In December 2024, Tyrone received the Living Legacy Award at the LGBTQ+ Hall of Fame Awards, an annual event created to honor Philadelphia heroes. He was a friend and mentor to many, and will be greatly missed by his friends, colleagues, and community.
The Philadelphia Inquirer published a wonderful tribute to Tyrone on March 26th, 2025.