1. Public Speaking & Education

Bob is a nationally recognized HIV-positive speaker known for his unapologetic approach to educating the public.

• He’s spoken at schools, colleges, jails, middle and high schools, churches, and community groups across the U.S.
   
• His talks combine hard facts about HIV transmission and prevention with his deeply personal journey through addiction, trauma, and survival.
   
• Bob speaks directly to youth and underserved communities, making space for open, stigma-free conversations about sexual health, substance use, and real-life risks.
   
• He shares the truth most shy away from—often ending with the line:
  👉 “It’s not who you are. It’s what you do that puts you at risk for HIV.”
   

2. Founder of HIVictorious, Inc.

In 2005, Bob founded HIVictorious, Inc., a grassroots nonprofit committed to education, prevention, and humanizing the face of HIV.

• He launched poster contests in high schools with the challenge:
  “What if it were you?”
   
• He coordinated outreach campaigns, community talks, and school visits, all while operating without government funding—fiercely independent to protect the authenticity of his message.
   
• He directly engaged policymakers and civic leaders to push for change.
   

Though the nonprofit has since closed, the HIVictorious message lives on through Bob’s continued solo work and storytelling.

3. Fighting Stigma & Discrimination

Bob’s superpower? Owning his truth—and using it to shatter stigma.

• He talks openly about his life before and after diagnosis:
  drugs, jail, the streets, tattoos, trauma, faith, family, and redemption.
   
• He shows that HIV doesn’t discriminate, but society still does.
   
• Bob uses humor, vulnerability, and unvarnished honesty to crack people open, making room for compassion and connection.
   
• His mission: make HIV visible again—especially the stories we don’t see in polished PSAs.
   

4. Media & Documentary Work

Bob’s voice has echoed far beyond classrooms and stages.

• He’s been featured on the covers of POZ Magazine and Positively Aware, among others.
   
• He’s contributed to WebMD, The Body, Positive Living, and more.
   
• He’s the subject of the documentary The Fire Within, which chronicles a pivotal year of his life and advocacy, including his ex-wife’s AIDS ride.
   
• He’s also developing a new book and docuseries:
  The True Tale of One Tough Pirate and The Gospel According to One Tough Pirate.
   

The Legacy

Bob Bowers is living proof that a diagnosis doesn’t define you—what you do with it does. His journey is one of survival, resilience, and service. Through every mic, ride, classroom, and post, he continues to light the way for others:

🗣️ To speak their truth.
🧠 To stay educated.
❤️ To choose compassion over fear.

He doesn’t do it for fame. He does it because this is a fight, and he’s still in it—Pirate flag raised high.