In This Issue

This week we are launching the first in our quarterly updates on the Black Treatment Advocate's Network (BTAN) chapters. AIDS happen in local communities. People get infected in local communities; people get tested in local communities; people either access treatment or not in local communities; people access prevention services or not in local communities. We can focus as much as we want on national policies and we should. But the real work happens on the ground, and that is the work that BTAN chapters do all over this country. BTAN chapters think globally, and act locally.

BTAN brings together local policy makers, health departments, clinical providers, ASO/CBOs, PLWHA, people at high risk for infection, people who are candidates for PrEP and other stakeholders to develop strategies and tactics to end the AIDS epidemic in their local communities. It is not only our best chance of ending the epidemic, the truth of the matter is it is our only chance to end the AIDS epidemic.

There are currently BTAN chapters in 20 cities and 15 states. They are very, very, very busy. Yesterday, BTAN Minneapolis, in partnership with Walgreens, the Stairstep Foundation and the Urban League, finished a two-part series on "Living Positive or Negative: What Matters?". Later this week, BTAN chapters are participating in four separate events in the South. Today, BTAN Richmond is sponsoring a PrEP Summit; tomorrow they are launching a three-day training. On Wednesday the 24th, Bambi Sumpter-Gaddist and the South Carolina HIV/AIDS Council are hosting a Black PrEP Summit in Columbia, S.C. BTAN Charlotte will be conducting HIV testing on Friday and Saturday at the CIAA basketball tournament at the Charlotte Convention Center. And to round out the month, on Monday, February 29, BTAN Charlotte, as well, will be hosting a Black PrEP summit.

Also this week representatives from five BTAN chapters—Richmond, Jackson, New York, Los Angeles, Baton Rouge—will be participating in the annual CROI Conference in Boston. On Friday, February 26th, our friends at MAC are hosting a Black PrEP Summit in Boston.

In this issue we are highlighting the work of the BTAN chapters in Broward County, Florida; Charlotte; Chicago and Los Angeles, all of which are doing remarkable work in their local communities. We're also thrilled to introduce you to the Institute's new Senior Mobilization Coordinator and National BTAN Coordinator, Erica Lillquist. Erica comes to us from the Peace Corps and has extensive experience in community mobilization and national networking in sub-Saharan Africa.

BTAN's success is predicated on local involvement. There is a role for each of us to play and every one of us must play our role. To find out if there's a BTAN chapter in your city and how to get involved, or to start a BTAN chapter in your city, contact Erica Lillquist at 213.353.3610 Ext. 117 or visit BlackAIDS.org.

For upcoming BTAN events look at this week's Events calendar and get involved right away.

Yours in the struggle,

Phill