Getting Involved

African Americans and HIV/AIDS

The world is far from reading for what is to come…the social and economic consequences of unchecked HIV/AIDS will be catastrophic for many communities and countries.
– World Health Report 2004: Changing History.

Stopping the spread of HIV and reducing the numbers of death related to AIDS, will require the work of all of us. Getting involved does not require one to have extensive knowledge of the HIV, the epidemic, or anything else. All that is required is that you bring yourself and your commitment to the cause. You can get involved through coalitions, speakers bureau, community education forums and other activities, and/or advocacy.

Advocacy

Advocacy is a complex but relatively simple act that everyone can do. To advocate on issues surrounding HIV/AIDS in the African American community, merely means to show your support. Every time you get tested, show up to community meetings, or just talk to a friend about HIV/AIDS you are advocating. Advocacy can also be done with elected officials just showing them that you care about an issue.

Coalitions

The Emergency Response Plan to HIV/AIDS in the African American Community acknowledges the importance of the community participation as seen in the first objective of the plan: To assure effective community involvement through coalitions and partnerships.

Getting involved with a coalition of other concerned citizens or providers may add extra meaning or burden to one’s life. To look at the advantages and disadvantages to working with any coalition see the chart below.

The potential disadvantages can be viewed as opportunities for personal and professional development and growth. The lessons learned from working in a coalition are well worth the cost. HIV requires the input of all community members to halt its spread and resulting death.

Community Education Forums & Activities

Request a HIV awareness program for your church, school, youth group, social organization, or family and friends.
Attend and participate in community town hall meetings and other education forums.
See the NAMES Project – AIDS Memorial Quilt
Participate in your communities annual AIDS Walk.
Volunteer at an AIDS service organization. Sometimes the seemingly small things make all the difference to clients and service providers.
Participate in discussions surrounding HIV awareness, prevention education, and care and treatment.

Speakers Bureau

Join Voices of the Community and be trained to deliver culturally appropriate HIV messages in your community.

"Future generations will judge our era in large part by our response to the AIDS pandemic…this is an historic opportunity we cannot afford to miss.”
– Dr. Jong-wook Lee