Daniel Driffin , MPH | Venton Jones, MS | Christopher Chauncey Watson, MPH

1. Daniel Driffin, MPH | Venton Jones, MS | Christopher Chauncey Watson, MPH The United States Conference on AIDS, Las Vegas October 1, 2012 Passing The Torch: A US Model for Engaging & Mobilizing Black Gay Men to End the HIV Epidemic Developed by the Young Black Gay Men’s Leadership Initiative

2. Agenda • Introduction • NBGMAC's Focus on YBGM and the Formation of YBGLI • YBGLI Accomplishments • Future Direction of YBGLI • World Café Discussion - Best Practices for Engaging YBGM

3. New HIV Infections in the U.S., 2009 • MSM majority (62%-69%) of new infections among youth (13-29) from 2006 and 2009 • 48% increase among young black MSM MSM (Prejean et al., 2011)

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

5. The Initiative • YBGLI is a collaborative national collection of committed young black gay, bi, SGL and other men who have sex with men (MSM) that work towards addressing the HIV epidemic in the United States. • These individuals represent a wide cross section of people engaging with young black gay, bi, SGL and MSM at the local, regional and national level. • An initiative of the National Black Gay Men’s Advocacy Coalition.

6. Purpose • Fostering young leaders and divergent voices is essential to creating a sustainable and dynamic movement to achieve an end to the HIV epidemic and building healthier community. • Ending stigma and discrimination by creating an environment where young leaders are nurtured and supported to address community challenges.

7. Background • In 2011 the National Black Gay Men’s Advocacy Coalition brought together 5 young Black gay leaders to address the need for increased community mobilization and activist among their peers. • In October 2011, The National Black Gay Men’s Advocacy Coalition (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.

8. Timeline • 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. • 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.

9. YBGLI Structure

10. Community Mobilization • 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.

11. Research • 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.

12. Policy • 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.

13. Leadership Development • Visibilitywithin Black communities, with efforts to mobilize other young Black MSM towards reducing negative impact of the HIV epidemic. • Disseminateinformation to other young Black MSM in the community at large, increasing their capacity to act as effective leaders and beacons of knowledge.

14. YBGLI Communication

15. Accomplishments • National Webinar Series • YBGLI Policy and Advocacy Summit • Participation in various community stakeholder meetings • Twitter Town Hall • Formalize structure

16. YBGLI Policy & Advocacy Summit The purpose of the summit was to develop methods to improve community mobilization efforts of young Black gay men in order to more effectively disseminate and improve HIV prevention, care and treatment efforts to this community. • 53 participants • 16 subject matter expert faculty • Twitter Town Hall

17. Next Steps

18. Next Steps • Completing 2012-2013 work plan • Develop research priorities for YBMSM • Create a best practice document for engaging YBMSM • Recruit Regional members • Develop a leadership cadre of YBMSM • Continue webinar series

19. Acknowledgements

20. World Café Discussion Best Practices for Engaging YBGM

21. Contact Us Young Black Gay Men’s Leadership Initiative www.NBGMAC.org/ybgli.html E-mail - YBGLI@NBGMAC.org Twitter - @YBGLI

22. 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

23. Today @ 4:00PM