BTAN Chapters Mark NBHAAD

Members of BTAN Charlotte during their 2017 NBHAAD event

On Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2017, Black Treatment Advocates Network (BTAN) chapters around the country marked the 18th annual National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day (NBHAAD) by participating in events that promote HIV testing and treatment mobilization efforts in Black communities. This year's theme was "I Am My Brother/Sister's Keeper: Fight HIV/AIDS." Local BTAN chapters did their part to increase awareness and promote greater participation. Here is a roundup of some of their activities:

BTAN Atlanta

BTAN Atlanta participated in the 18th annual Atlanta Area Outreach Initiative, a daylong prevention and awareness event of the Metropolitan Atlanta HIV Health Services Planning Council. At this year's event, themed "PrEP-aring for a Healthier Future," BTAN provided participants with pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP)-related educational materials along with screening mechanisms to help them determine if they are eligible for PrEP therapy. The chapter also disseminated information about a local PrEP clinic and distributed a press release introducing the first PrEP clinic ever to open on a college campus—Morehouse College. The clinic plans to expand to other local colleges.

Co-Chair Minister Ken Lazarus spoke about what's up next: "The other thing is our Rapid Entry to Care Program modeled after the one in San Francisco that will move us to have a goal of linking newly diagnosed cases to provider care within 72 hours of HIV notification. The program has had remarkable success in California."

BTAN Broward

"We had a great turnout; it was a great event," says Patricia Fleurinord, co-chair of the chapter in Broward County, Fla. About 200 people joined a community event held outside the Megaphone Community Center where HIV testing, vendors and food were available and participants shared testimonials. Afterward the group walked to New Hope Baptist Church to support AIDS Healthcare Foundation and the Mount Olive Development Corp. in their "Keep the Promise" march. The march concluded at New Mount Olive Baptist Church, where a free concert featuring Yolanda Adams and Erica Campbell took place. The evening ended with a panel discussion hat included BTAN member Bobby Henry, who spoke about his family experiences with HIV.

BTAN Broward has recently been engaging the community in the creation of 3-by-6-foot panels to memorialize those who have passed on from HIV, and to honor and support those affected by HIV. The panels will be added to the AIDS Memorial Quilt. "We will continue to host events in the community and collaborate with organizations to expand our efforts to surrounding communities," adds Fleurinord.

BTAN Charlotte

BTAN Charlotte in North Carolina participated in two events for NBHAAD. On Saturday, Feb. 4, BTAN partnered with the Affinity Health Center in Rock Hill, S.C., for an NBHAAD event. The chapter's goal was to get the residents of Rock Hill, located just outside of Charlotte, to engage in the BTAN Charlotte chapter and help Affinity educate the community about HIV prevention and linkage to care. "We provided giveaways and were able to add nine new memberships into the chapter," Co-Chair Jeffery Edward-Knight adds.

On Feb. 7 the chapter hosted a premiere of Thicker Than Blood. The independent film, by Anthony L. Williams, is centered on an African American family who find their secrets revealed when one son returns home for a family celebration. There were approximately 40 attendees at the premiere, which began with a BTAN-chapter social and ended with a brief discussion facilitated by Darrin Johnson, co-chair of BTAN Charlotte. Questions yielded information about attitudes and feelings about the movie, how impactful it was in educating the community about HIV, disclosure of HIV status, sexual orientation and how family support can be important for someone living with HIV.

"The chapter is now in planning mode for the upcoming three-day science and treatment training, several community health fairs, and other events sponsored by our faithful community partners," Johnson adds.

BTAN Melbourne

BTAN Melbourne in Florida participated in the 17th Annual Black Heritage Calendar Fest, an event that focuses on events in Black history. Approximately 175 people came out to the event at the Eau Gallie Civic Center, increasing BTAN's visibility in the community. At this year's festival, themed "Brevard's Young Game Changers," BTAN collaborated with the Melbourne-Palm Bay Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority to host an HIV awareness table. Attendees learned about HIV through handouts and personal discussions with BTAN members. John Curry, co-chair of the BTAN Melbourne chapter, says they will continue to partner with the Melbourne-Palm Bay Alumnae Deltas. "I think this agreement will take our BTAN chapter to higher dimensions," adds Curry.

April Eugene is a Philadelphia-based writer.