February 13th, 2020- This month’s commission meeting featured a panel discussion in honor of National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, which commemorated this year on February 7th, 2020. Moderators Danielle Campbell & Greg Wilson, Co-Chairs of the Black/African American Community (BAAC) Task Force led the conversation with panelists Dr. Derrick L. Butler from T.H.E. Health and Wellness Center, Dr. Condessa Curly from Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, Dr. William King from W King Health Care Group, and Dr. Rochelle Rawls from LAC+USC Medical Center’s Rand Schrader Clinic.
These medical providers gave insight into necessary efforts to effectively address barriers and social determinants of health continuing to disproportionately affect 
Black/African American communities. Perspectives were given from a combination of both their shared experiences and best practices, alongside concerns in resolving the epidemic and providing immersive opportunities to increase HIV education, testing, community involvement, and treatment. Significant solutions were identified by panelists and voiced by present community members, demonstrating the successive theme of unified support systems anchored in reducing stigma, increasing dissemination, and framing prevention of HIV/AIDS within black communities.
You can find the flyer available for download below as well as the full video of the panel (also available on Youtube).
We also encourage you to read this insightful commentary on the day’s panel discussion written by Dr. Nina Harawa, CHIPTS Policy Impact Core Director.
A National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day Panel Discussion - Flyer
CHIPTS hosts a monthly HIV Research and Community Colloquia Series in collaboration with the Los Angeles County Commission on HIV to highlight current issues and conversations surrounding HIV. Click here for past lectures and check out the events page for more information on future Colloquia presentations!