As part of Whitman-Walker’s 40th anniversary, officially January 13, 2018, we’re sharing 40 stories to help tell the narrative of the Whitman-Walker community.

With our 32nd annual Walk & 5K to End HIV coming up on October 27th, we look back to the event’s origin. On Sunday, June 28, 1987, roughly 3,000 people gathered in DC to walk in “The Next Step” ﹘ the city’s first walkathon to fundraise for the fight against HIV/AIDS. With a portion of the proceeds going to Whitman-Walker, the walk raised nearly $200,000. The yearly event brought the community together under the banner name of the Next Step, AIDS Walk Washington, Walk to End HIV and now the Walk & 5K to End HIV.

Look below for a glimpse into the 31-year history of the Walk & 5K to End HIV. Learn more about this year’s upcoming Walk & 5K to End HIV! Walk, run or donate today at walktoendhiv.org. 

The first shirt design for the 1987 Next Step walk.

Two people at the first AIDS Walk wearing “The Next Step” shirt.

A photo from the first AIDS Walk Washington. Former executive director, the late Jim Graham, speaks to the attendees. 

The Washington Blade reports on the success of the 1987 walk in it’s July 3, 1987 issue. Photos by Doug Hinckle at The Washington Blade.

The 1989 AIDS Walk shirt designed by Keith Haring. 

A photo from the 1992 AIDS Walk Washington. 

The 1992 AIDS Walk shirt design.

Walkers with the banner at the rainy 1993 AIDS Walk Washington.

Tipper Gore speaks at the 1993 AIDS Walk Washington.

A photo from the 1994 AIDS Walk Washington featuring Connie Morella, Tipper Gore, Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton, Carol Schwartz, Jim Graham and more – left to right. 

A photo from the 2004 AIDS Walk Washington. Front and center are Jim Graham, Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton, Carol Schwartz and Pat Hawkins, left to right. 

An ad from the 2015, superhero-themed Walk to End HIV.

A photo from the 30th anniversary of the Walk & 5K to End HIV in 2016. Executive Director Don Blanchon, left, and Joe Izzo, right, now a 32-year veteran employee at Whitman-Walker, hold up a quilt featuring every AIDS Walk Washington t-shirt over its 30-year history. The quilt was a gift from a friend to Joe – who has walked in every AIDS Walk in DC.