by Trina Scott, Senior Program Manager, Young Women of Color Empowerment 

National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day is a national HIV testing and treatment community mobilization initiative targeted at Blacks in the United States and the Diaspora. We’ll be tweeting and posting on Facebook about events and resources throughout the day to#NBHAAD – follow us and re-tweet!

Recently I visited with students at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) around the country to help them plan their February 7 events and what I saw was amazing. From candlelight vigils for those affected by the epidemic, to testing initiatives, to movie showings, student activists are leading the fight against AIDS. Visit our youtube channel to see them in action.

Campus organizers at the University of North Carolina are hosting the “I am AIDS campaign.” Share a picture of yourself with a sign indicating how you have been impacted by HIV/AIDS or why you’re involved with HIV Awareness work.

I'm excited to work with these and hundreds of other young people on HIV awareness and prevention today and thoughout the year - especially on the first ever National Youth HIV and AIDS Awareness Day, April 10.

On February 7 and beyond, check out and share our resources on youth of color and HIV, including:

HIV and Young Black Gay Men: Finding the Courage to Stand for Their Lives

Youth of Color—At Disproportionate Risk of Negative Sexual Health Outcomes

Understanding Disparities in the HIV Epidemic: How Social and Cultural Forces Lead to Unequal Risk for African Americans/Blacks

Young African American Women and HIV