Jack of All Arts

A. Cornelius Baker

A black and white portrait of Cornelius Baker standing with arms crossed in front of a brick building with a pride flag. He wears a suit and glasses, looking confidently at the camera. In the background, a person walks past the building.
Cornelius Baker sits on a wooden chair in a formal portrait. He wears a dark suit with a patterned tie and glasses. The background has a soft gradient of warm tones, and he looks directly at the camera with a composed expression.
Cornelius Baker speaks at a press conference, standing in front of a chart displaying data on HIV/AIDS cases. He wears glasses, a light-colored suit, and a dark tie while addressing an audience with a serious expression.
Cornelius Baker is seen at a social event, wearing a white and blue striped suit with a bright orange tie. He has a relaxed expression with a slight smile, and the background features dim lighting and a hanging lamp.
Cornelius Baker smiles warmly while wearing a navy blue baseball cap with a peace symbol, tortoiseshell glasses, and a gray sweatshirt. The background includes a cityscape with windows reflecting the sky.
Cornelius Baker sits at a panel discussion, smiling while speaking into a microphone. A nameplate in front of him reads "Cornelius Baker." Beside him, another panelist in a pink sequined outfit listens attentively.

Born: September 30, 1961
Birthplace: Sodus, New York, United States
Death: November 8, 2024, Washington, D.C., United States
Gender Identity: Cisgender Man
Pronouns: He/Him
Sexual Orientation: Gay
Nationality: American
Ethnicity: Black / African American
Profession: Activist, Policy Advisor, Public Health Expert
Years Active: 1980s to 2024

Early Life and Education:

A. Cornelius Baker was born on September 30, 1961, in Sodus, New York. He spent part of his early childhood in Apopka, Florida, raised by his maternal grandmother, Fannie Baker, before moving to Syracuse, New York, to live with his mother, Shirley Baker, a social worker and family services coordinator for New York State Correctional Services. His father was Adel Robinson.

Baker pursued a degree in comparative literature with a focus on theater at Eisenhower College. During his studies, he interned at cultural institutions such as the Kennedy Center and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1983.

Career:

Baker’s professional life spanned more than three decades, during which he held key roles in public health, arts, and advocacy. Highlights include:

  • Arts Editor, Washington City Paper (1983): Baker worked as arts editor, covering the local cultural and arts scene.
  • Executive Assistant to Carol Schwartz (1985): Served as an executive assistant to the D.C. City Council member.
  • Confidential Assistant, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (1989–1992): Supported the Assistant Secretary for Health.
  • Policy Director and later Executive Director, National Association of People with AIDS (1992): Advocated for people living with HIV/AIDS and helped establish National HIV Testing Day on June 27.
  • Executive Director, Whitman-Walker Clinic (1999–2004): Led the clinic through financial hardship while expanding its reach to underserved communities.

Other significant roles included:

  • Advisor to the National Black Gay Men’s Advocacy Coalition
  • Senior role at the U.S. Department of State’s Office of the U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator and Health Diplomacy, contributing to PEPFAR
  • Involvement with the National Institutes of Health’s Office of AIDS Research
  • Service on the Presidential Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS
  • Board member for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS and the Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation

Personal Life and Death:

Baker identified as gay and was diagnosed as HIV-positive in the early years of the epidemic. He shared a 20-year partnership with Gregory Nevins, a senior counsel at Lambda Legal.

He passed away on November 8, 2024, at the age of 63 from hypertensive atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease at his home in Washington, D.C.

Legacy and Impact:

Baker’s influence can be seen in the enduring infrastructure of HIV/AIDS services, both domestically and abroad. He championed cultural competency, racial justice, and community-led approaches as cornerstones of effective public health strategy. His career has inspired a generation of queer and trans activists of color in the healthcare field. His work stands as a testament to the belief that those most affected must lead the response.

Sources Cited:

  • POZ Magazine, “HIV Advocates Hall of Fame: A. Cornelius Baker”
  • George Washington University Milken Institute School of Public Health
  • The White House, Office of National AIDS Policy Archives
  • CDC Foundation Profiles
  • Whitman-Walker Health Archives
  • Legacy.com Obituary for A. Cornelius Baker
  • National Association of People with AIDS Archives
  • Lambda Legal staff biographies
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