In the 1980’s, HIV and AIDS infection rate was well over fifty percent and it proved catastrophic for communities of color. At that time, Bass was working for a prevention organization in Jacksonville, Florida, where he gained a wealth of knowledge around HIV and how to reach high-at-risk populations by meeting them where they are.

Armed with prevention knowledge and the tools to address the escalating HIV infection rate in the country, Bass drove around Jacksonville, Florida, operating from his car, providing HIV education and testing to the LGBTQ community. Specifically, focusing on Transgender and Gay men of color, as they were not being reached, linked to healthcare services, or just spending time listening to their unimaginable stories.

As a caring person, he always believed in being his brother’s keeper. Bass began the process to solidify an organization to deal with the disconnect he witnessed, the lack of quality healthcare services and little to no empathy for Transgender and Gay men of color. In 1996, with a passion to assist the marginalized and underserved populations, Bass’s vision became reality and Someone Cares Inc. was established in Jacksonville, Florida.

Today, Someone Cares has two Early Detection Intervention Clinics, the headquarters in Marietta, Georgia and in urban downtown Atlanta, serving the Atlanta Metropolitan area. Since formation, the organization is still on the battlefield bringing about change, providing quality healthcare services, and working towards reducing the number of HIV/AIDS incidents in Transgender and Gay men of color communities. Someone Cares has become a leading agency in the fight against HIV/AIDS. Syphilis, Hepatitis, and other STI’s in the African American, Latino and Transgender communities. Through social networking and community partners, the organization has extraordinary access to parks, bathhouses, clubs, adult bookstores, private sex parties and other areas where the demographics we serve convene.

Through intervention tools, prevention education in teaching safe sex practices, testing and screenings, the agency continually plows forward in the trenches doing the work to assist in a global goal in getting to zero infections. The organization’s National Trans Health Conference is a powerful resource for professionals nationally, pharmaceuticals and suppliers to assemble to share dialogue and new ways to continually engage Transgender persons. We endeavor to always want our Trans brothers and sisters to know that someone cares whether it’s through linkage to care, housing, or just providing a safe space. “We are not just an agency; we are a friend’.