Black Women and HIV: Empowerment through Engagement, Education and Enrichment

In January 2024, faculty and staff from Howard University College of Medicine partnered with Health HIV, a premier national HIV nonprofit, to secure a three year P.A.C.E grant from Gilead Sciences. Titled “Black Women and HIV: Empowerment through Engagement, Education and Enrichment,” the initiative is known as the Empower Grant. This project has allowed us to create a Empower Women’s Workgroup, an enhanced blog, Wellness Chronicles videos and podcasts well as to expand our art contest and virtual gallery. The overall approach is to integrate art, women-focused community engagement, unique educational opportunities, and a comprehensive survey and resource guide to combat barriers to care in Black women and girls especially as they relate to HIV prevention and care. In addition, the project will seek to increase knowledge and decrease stigma surrounding HIV and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in the community.