AAHU Science and Treatment College Convenes in Los Angeles for Training 2

Denishia Clark

After completing their first internship and the AAHU Boot Camp, a 30-day intensive training session in partnership with UCLA, African American HIV University Science and Treatment College (AAHU STC) Fellows reconvened at the Black AIDS Institute in November for their second weeklong training.

The AAHU STC is a four-stage program sponsored by the Black AIDS Institute and the UCLA Center for World Health, in which Fellows learn to promote high-quality HIV/AIDS treatment and prevention by building their HIV/AIDS science literacy as well as their skills and capacity to understand HIV-treatment strategy. The Fellows represent community-based and AIDS service organizations nationwide.

Training 2 focused on building skills and capacity in planning, implementation and evaluation. "The Fellows are really gearing up to strengthen the Black Treatment Advocate Network [BTAN] chapters in their individual cities," says Denishia Clark, the Institute's training and capacity-building manager. Those cities include Chicago; Jackson, Miss.; Oakland; Los Angeles; and Richmond, Va.

BTAN links Black Americans living with HIV to care and treatment, strengthens local and national leadership, connects influential peers, and raises HIV science and treatment literacy. The network also advocates for policy changes and research priorities that will help end the HIV epidemic in Black communities. Each AAHU Fellow is developing strategies to respond to the AIDS epidemic in his or her community. And each will lead a new or existing BTAN chapter in his or her area.

In 2014-2015, BTAN will improve programming and develop infrastructure to help local networks have an impact on outcomes and increase BTAN membership.

"What I love about BTAN is that it brings everyone within communities together. It gives everyone a sense of ownership and empowerment. No one organization is BTAN; we are all BTAN," says Shalaurey Jones, a Los Angeles Fellow.

During the Fellows' second internship, each one will host a three-day training in his or her respective city covering topics from Training 1. "I'm excited to get back and utilize all of the essentials tools we've acquired during Training 2," says Deborah Crumm-Price, CEO and founder of Perspectives SOW & Co. of Richmond. Training 3 will take place March 1-6, 2015.

For more information or for details on how to connect with your local BTAN, visit blackaids.org.

Gerald Garth is a Los Angeles-based writer, actor and accountant who works for the Black AIDS Institute.