Stepping up from Vulnerability to Opportunity: HIV and AIDS in the Global Context of African and Black Migrant and Diaspora Populations The Messenger Matters Phill Wilson President and CEO Black AIDS Institute

Black AIDS Institute Founded in May of 1999, the Black AIDS Institute is the only national HIV/AIDS think tank focused exclusively on Black people. The Institute's Mission is to stop the AIDS pandemic in Black communities by engaging and mobilizing Black institutions and individuals in efforts to confront HIV. The Institute interprets public and private sector HIV policies, conducts trainings, offers technical assistance, disseminates information and provides advocacy mobilization from a uniquely and unapologetically Black point of view.

Continuum of Care by Race African Americans are least likely to be in ongoing care or to have their virus under control

When We Know Better We do Better!  National Knowledge Attitude and Beliefs Survey of the HIV/AIDS Workforce in the United States:  Basic Knowledge and Terminology  Treatment Science  Clinical Science and Bio-medical Interventions  Familiarity and attitudes about Bio-medical Interventions

Average Score by Question Category Letter grades C F F D Letter grades C F F D

Black and Latino Respondents Scored Lower "Other" consists of respondents identifying themselves primarily as any one of the following: American Indian or Alaskan Native (n=28), Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander (n=23), Asian (n=42) or "Other" (n=57) % Correct Answers by Race/Ethnicity Sample size: 2166; African American: 832; Hispanic: 249; White: 935; Other: 150 Statistically significant differences between comparison groups marked with a letter (95% significance ) Overall mean: 62.3% F F D D

Black AIDS Institute: Strategic Model

AAHU Aimed at strengthening organizational and individual capacity to address the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Black communities, the African American HIV University (AAHU) is a comprehensive training fellowship and scholarship program. The program is designed to decrease stigma and misperception and increase the engagement of the Black community in HIV prevention and treatment services. This is achieved through leadership development and information transfer among key stakeholders.

AAHU Science and Treatment College The STC curriculum prepares community-based, and AIDS service organizations, and Health Departments on how to improve their performance in the treatment cascade. (CBOs/ASOs) to serve as liaisons between people living with HIV/AIDS and the entities that serve them. STC focuses on HIV and its relationship to human biology, virology, pharmacokinetics, epidemiology, and treatment strategies. By the end of AAHU STC, organizations and their Fellows will be stewards of a living, breathing Black Treatment Advocates Network (BTAN).

HIV Science & Treatment Knowledge Assessment 30-Day Boot Camp 57% 90% *Scores over 100% indicate extra credit awarded

HIV Science & Treatment Retention 57% 90% 84% 87% 92%

HIV Science & Treatment Retention 57% 92%

The mission of the Black Treatment Advocates Network (BTAN) is to increase patient access to and utilization of treatment and care, strengthen local leadership and advocate for policy change in Black communities. BTAN is guided by the premise that when people understand the science of HIV/AIDS they are:  Less likely to participate in stigmatizing behavior  More likely to access treatment  Better able to adhere to their regimens  Better positioned to influence HIV policy Internship 2: BTAN Responding to the Needs of the Community

BTAN Priority Areas Treatment Education Patient Navigation Disclosure Advocacy

Local BTAN Projects Treatment Education - Brown Bag Lunch - Webinars - Fact Sheets - Black AIDS Weekly Patient Navigation - Recruitment of HIV positive members - Start a support group - Education training on local care systems Disclosure - Local ambassadors - Local speaker’s bureau - Creating videos of disclosure experiences - Development of Elite Viral Suppression Group (AID Atlanta Project) Advocacy - Healthcare Reform - ADAP - Housing - Testing Campaigns

THANK YOU! FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE VISIT OR CONTACT Phill Wilson President and CEO Black AIDS Institute