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ignore the fact that men are giving them the disease."38 This news was tragic, but it clarified the
virus as a universal issue that did not discriminate by creed, color, or sexual orientation. Fambro
saw this matter as an opportunity to educate people from all walks of life. He began working
more closely with leaders in the black community with the intent of reaching black churches,
community centers, and youth detention facilities with prevention programs.39
The Establishment of The Rainbow Center and the merger of MGPWA and CCAN

Fambro also decided to retire from his job as a computer data analyst in order to focus on
serving as the executive director of MGPWA. Through two significant financial contributions
and clearing out his own personal 401k, Fambro acquired an office space for MGPWA at 530
First Street in 1985.40 He named it the Rainbow Center and spent countless hours there. Funding
for its operations came from federal grant money designated for serving people who were
affected by homelessness and HIV/AIDS. The grants allowed the organization to offer financial
assistance for housing and utilities, psychosocial support, and a food and clothes pantry. It also
operated a daily national HIV/AIDS support helpline and assisted local support groups for AIDS
patients and those emotionally affected by knowing someone with the virus. Fambro took the
Rainbow Center very seriously, often taking on volunteers for the cause rather than employees,
making sure all the grants, subsidies, and donations went straight to the people who truly needed
the resources. In the early 1990s, when it was discovered that CCAN was about to go under, its
board of trustees asked to Fambro to merge MGPWA and CCAN under the CCAN name and
become executive director. Fambro accepted the merger and the job. 41

38 Michael Cass,"AIDS Increasingly Targeting Middle GA.'S Black Women," Telegraph (Macon), January 03,
1999. 1,http://infoweb.newsbank.com/resources/doc/nb/news/0EB76DC42B2F7E4F?p=AWNB.
39 "The Johnny Fambro Story," interview by author, November 2017. (Michael-Angel León)
40 "The Johnny Fambro Story," interview by author, November 2017. (Michael-Angel León)
41 "Middle Georgia resource compassion fuels comprehension services at Central City AIDS Network," HIV Risk Reduction 9
(2009): 1-4, https://www.pdffiller.com/en/project/147277139.htm?f_hash=e04b5c&reload=true.

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