Engaging and Mobilizing Black Gay Men to End the HIV/AIDS Epidemic: YBGLI Policy & Advocacy Summit

1. Daniel Driffin, MPH | Venton C. Jones Jr., MS | Christopher Chauncey Watson, MPH 2013 Creating Change January 26, 2013 Engaging and Mobilizing Black Gay Men to End the HIV/AIDS Epidemic: YBGLI Policy & Advocacy Summit

2. New HIV Infections in the U.S., 2009 • MSM majority (62%-69%) of new infections among youth (13-29) from 2006 and 2009 • 48% increase among young black MSM MSM (Prejean et al., 2011)

3. Projected Infections among MSMby Age Cohort Black MSM MSM overall (Stall, 2009) MSM overall IR 1.9%;AA MSM IR 4.0% Stall, AIDS Behav, 2007

4. History • In 2011, the National Black Gay Men’s Advocacy Coalition [NBGMAC] brought together 5 young Black gay leaders to address the need for increased community mobilization and activism among their peers. • In October 2011, NBGMAC in collaboration with HIV Prevention Trials Network (HPTN), supported those young leaders to host a webinar addressing the HIV epidemic among young Black gay men (YBGM) under the age of 30. • As a result of the webinar and additional coordinating effort, the young men mobilized to form the Young Black Gay Men’s Leadership Initiative.

5. Young Black Gay Men’s Leadership Initiative (YBGLI) • YBGLI is comprised of young Black gay, bi, SGL and other men who have sex with men (MSM) who are working towards addressing the HIV epidemic in the United States. • YBGLI participants represent a wide cross section of people engaging with their peers at the local, regional and national level.

6. YBGLI Purpose • Foster young leaders and divergent voices as essential in creating a sustainable and dynamic movement to achieve an end to the HIV epidemic. • End stigma and discrimination by creating an environment where young leaders are nurtured and supported to address community challenges. • I know we do something else….

7. YBGLI Structure

8. Community Mobilization • To increase participation of young Black MSM in YBGLI efforts. • To increase young Black MSM participation in national policy and advocacy initiatives. • To develop partnerships with national young MSM efforts.

9. Research • To encourage and promote a varied and high quality program of research activities directed to and for young Black MSM. • To review annually proposed changes in national research policy and active research studies and make recommendations that directly affect young Black MSM. • To provide ongoing information dissemination in concert with the OC regarding data analysis and results impacting the lives of Black MSM. • To establish and develop research priorities and a national research agenda based on the identified needs of young Black MSM.

10. Policy • To review policy initiatives that have direct effect on young Black MSM; • To make recommendations and/or support particular policy initiatives; • To provide ongoing updates for the community about current policy initiatives impacting young Black MSM . • To establish and develop policy priorities based on the identified needs of young Black MSM. • To coordinate with other policy focused parties that have an interest in young Black MSM to maximize impact.

11. Leadership Development • Visibilitywithin Black communities, with efforts to mobilize other young Black MSM towards reducing negative impact of the HIV epidemic. • Disseminateinformation to other young Black MSM in the community at large, increasing their capacity to act as effective leaders and beacons of knowledge.

12. YBGLI Communication

13. YBGLI Timeline • Sept 2011 – Young Black Gay Leaders Organizing Committee formed and began planning for first national webinar. • Oct 2011 – Held first national webinar on mobilizing Young Black Gay Leadership. • Nov 2011 – “Young Black Gay Men’s Leadership Initiative” (YBGLI) formed. • Dec 2011 – YBGLI held national face-to-face meeting with 15 young Black gay leaders. • Jan 2012 – Young Black Gay Men’s Social Mixer during 2012 National African American Leadership Conference on HIV/AIDS. • Apr 2012 – Held second national webinar “HIV/AIDS Research Update for Black MSM.” • Sep 2012 – Hosted Policy & Advocacy Summit with 53 young Black gay leaders from across the United States. • Nov 2012 – Held third national webinar “Moving Forward: PrEP and Young Black MSM.”

14. YBGLI Policy & Advocacy Summit September 16-18, 2012 The purpose of this two-day meeting was to build the capacity and leadership of young Black gay men and other MSM in order to: • More effectively influence and impact domestic knowledge and information sharing of YBMSM; and • Improve HIV prevention, care and treatment mobilization efforts for this population

15. Summit Participants • Applications were requested from young Black MSM (under 30) across the United States. • Participants were selected based on their individualized leadership skills, and shown efforts to address community mobilization of YBMSM communities.

16. Summit Participants • 53 participants • 9 YBGLI OC members • 8 participants from Western United States • 9 participants from Central United States • 12 participants from Northern United States • 15 participants from Southern United States

17. Summit Curriculum • Summit participants engaged in a series of workshops based on research, advocacy, mobilization, capacity building, leadership development and media.

18. Twitter Town Hall • During the summit we conducted a national “Twitter Town Hall” in the community. • Twitter Town Hall Objectives: • To increase dialogue among YBMSM representing diverse backgrounds and varied experiences; • To educate and increase awareness of health policy issues affecting YBMSM using Twitter to amplify messaging; • To mobilize Black gay men to prevent new infections and end the epidemic; • To engage young Black gay men in the solution for ending the AIDS epidemic among this population; and • To develop best practices and new strategies for reaching YBMSM.

19. Issues Identified During Summit • Several key issues were identified during the summit have served as a starting point for addressing the various factors that increase the vulnerability of HIV acquisition among young Black MSM including: • Community mobilization and engagement activities of YBMSM, • HIV prevention research to guide evidence-based intervention, • Supportive housing policies and programs for YBMSM,

20. Issues, cont’d • Increase access to care for those living with HIV/AIDS, • Developing culturally sensitive testing sites for HIV and other sexual transmitted diseases, and • Addressing the mental health needs of YBMSM.

23. Next Steps

24. Next Steps, Cont’d • YBGM should not be used as a tool to get funding for organizations and then discarded after funds are received. • YBGM should be involved in discussions surrounding issues that impact YBGM, not only when it’s an convenient. • YBGM should be mentored and trained to be future leaders so that when one generation steps down, the transition into leadership is easy.

25. Next Steps, Cont’d • Focus on holistic care as it pertains to YBGM • Mental Health • Housing • Access to Care • Self care / love • Physical Wellbeing

26. Do we have any analyzed data from the summit that we can put in here… we can make a pretty table… I like tables and stuff….

27. Get Involved • Open Enrollment for new members of the YBGLI OC starts in April, ends in May. • Participate in our webinars. • Recommend individuals who you know would benefit from the organization to participate.

28. Contact Us Young Black Gay Men’s Leadership Initiative www.NBGMAC.org/ybgli.html E-mail - YBGLI@NBGMAC.org Twitter - @YBGLI

29. YBGLI Accomplishments • National Webinar Series • YBGLI Policy and Advocacy Summit • Participation in various community stakeholder meetings • Twitter Town Hall • Formalize structure

30. Question / Answers Questions and Answers

31. Summit Sponsors

32. Thank you Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people can change the world, indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has - Unknown