Carlos D. Howard  is the Founder and Executive Director of Rooted Care Institute, a nonprofit organization officially founded on May 26, 2026. Although the organization was formally established in 2026, the vision for Rooted Care was birthed more than a decade earlier through Carlos’ own lived experiences while receiving treatment and navigating the healthcare system.

Through those experiences, Carlos recognized the need for a safe, affirming, and culturally responsive space where men of color could receive care from professionals and advocates who understood their lived realities, health concerns, barriers, fears, and hopes. His personal journey helped shape a deeper commitment to HIV awareness, prevention, treatment, health navigation, and whole person care for communities that are too often underserved, overlooked, or misunderstood.

Rooted Care Institute was created from the belief that healing should be accessible, compassionate, and rooted in dignity. Carlos’ vision is to build an organization that not only connects individuals to healthcare services, but also restores trust, strengthens community, and provides education, advocacy, and support for people of color, especially those impacted by HIV and health disparities.

As a healthcare administrator, HIVPCP, advocate, and servant leader, Carlos brings both professional experience and personal passion to this work. His leadership is grounded in empathy, equity, lived experience, and the belief that those closest to the struggle often carry the clearest vision for the solution.