The Black Church & HIV initiative was established in 2013 by the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) to address HIV as a social justice issue.
Their national tour recently made its way to the Bay Area, for a half day conversation held at Oakland City Hall.
(Denisha DeLane/Faith in the Bay)
Rev. William Francis facilitating the Black Church & HIV conversation (Denisha DeLane/Faith in the Bay)
Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf, greeted the days attendees which included clergy, providers, people living with HIV, and advocates – while also stressing the importance of partnerships and collaboration. She also shared her excitement for the upcoming 2020 International AIDS Conference being held in the Bay Area.
Mayor Libby Schaaf brings greetings during The Black Church & HIV Town Hall attendees – June 23, 2017 (Denisha DeLane / Faith in the Bay)
Forum topics included gaps in service, HIV & Aging, Stigma, and Linkage & Retention. The Bay Area is no stranger to faith based HIV/AIDS interventions. Since the outbreak of the epidemic, Bay Area faith leaders were early responders and navigators for many – creating models still duplicated today.
Current data for Alameda County was presented by the newly named Alameda County Office of HIV Prevention & Care (formerly known as the Alameda County Office of AIDS), along with a national overview of the Black Church & HIV framework by the NAACP National Health Department.
Since its launch, The Black Church & HIV initiative continues to produce and provide tools and resources for clergy, and congregations.
Congregations are invited to participate in the upcoming 2017 Day of Unity, July 23rd.
Sign Up & Download Tools: https://theblackchurchandhiv.org/day-of-unity/
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