Daniel Driffin, MPH | Venton C. Jones Jr., MS | Christopher Chauncey Watson, MPH 2013 Creating Change January 26, 2013

(Prejean et al., 2011) MSM MSM majority (62%-69%) of new infections among youth (13-29) from 2006 and % increase among young black MSM

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

 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.

 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.

 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….

YBGLI OC Capacity Building & Leadership Community Mobilization ResearchPolicy Executive Committee

 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.

 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.

 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.

 Visibility within Black communities, with efforts to mobilize other young Black MSM towards reducing negative impact of the HIV epidemic.  Disseminate information to other young Black MSM in the community at large, increasing their capacity to act as effective leaders and beacons of knowledge.

YBGLI Communication NationalRegionalSelected RegionalLocal

 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.”

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

 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.

 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

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

 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.

 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,

 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.

Next Steps

 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.

 Focus on holistic care as it pertains to YBGM  Mental Health  Housing  Access to Care  Self care / love  Physical Wellbeing

 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….

 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.

Young Black Gay Men’s Leadership Initiative - Twitter

 National Webinar Series  YBGLI Policy and Advocacy Summit  Participation in various community stakeholder meetings  Twitter Town Hall  Formalize structure

Questions and Answers

Summit Sponsors

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