Franklin Sampley has advocated for HIV/AIDS work since the early 1980s, co-founding the San Joaquin AIDS Foundation, where he served on the board and as executive director. Franklin joined the Social Security Administration in 1990 as an HIV specialist while volunteering in the community. After moving to San Francisco in 1996, he established HIV/AIDS ministries with local LGBTQ+ churches and led initiatives with The Evangelical Network for 20 years. With over 40 years of lived experience as an HIV-positive individual, Franklin provides peer counseling nationwide. Currently, he chairs the Quality Management subcommittee on the Ryan White Planning Council for Marion County TGA.