National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day

The primary goal of NBHAAD is to motivate Black people to get tested and know their HIV status; get educated<./i> about the transmission modes of HIV/AIDS; get involved in their local community; and get treated if they are currently living with HIV or are newly diagnosed.

NBHAAD dates back to 1999, when the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) funded five national non-profit organizations known then as the Community Capacity Building Coalition (CCBC). On Feb. 23, 2001, the CCBC organized the first annual National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day. The date was changed to Feb. 7 the following year (2002) and is now recognized on Feb. 7 of each year.

Today, there are nine organizations that work in partnership with the CDC to ensure the success of National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day: Alliances for Quality Education; Balm in Gilead; Healthy Black Communities, Inc.; Jackson State University - Mississippi Urban Research Center; Multi-Cultural Addictions Network, Inc.; My Brother’s Keeper, Inc.; National Alliance of State and Territorial AIDS Directors; National Black Alcoholism & Addictions Council; and National Black Leadership Commission on AIDS.

It is hoped that NBHAAD will continue to build the capacity of community based organizations (CBOs) to increase awareness, prevent HIV and get those who need treatment into care.

Currently, NBHAAD is directed, planned and organized by a group known as the Strategic Leadership Council who partner with the CDC to mobilize communities and address specific issues in regards to local epidemics and best practices that are science based and will influence the course of HIV in Black communities across the country. Healthy Black Communities, Inc. serves as the lead organization responsible for mobilizing resources, develop branding and manage communications surrounding the initiative.

Initially, the founding body held quarterly meetings to discuss activities, trainings, and/or events that each organization was doing around the country. The concept was to have a day to recognize the devastation of HIV/AIDS and to promote testing, education and involvement within African-American communities. Now, the Strategic Leadership Council is responsible for strategically directing and overseeing NBHAAD which assists in coordinating the overall planning of what will occur leading up to Feb. 7.

The expected outcomes as NBHAAD are to:

1. Increase<.b> proportion of Black Americans that know their HIV status;

2. Increase awareness of the state of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Black communities and among high risk populations.

3. Increase leadership, support, collaboration and coordination of HIV services for Black Americans among community stakeholders, public and private health care providers at all levels, the business, entertainment and faith communities and elected officials.

4. Increase capacity for health departments, community based organizations and stakeholders to implement NBHAAD at local levels and to marshal resources and support for HIV prevention services.

As Black Americans continue to be impacted by this disease, the individuals who make up the planning bodies of National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day will continue to work daily in local communities to use the best programs and interventions to prevent new infections as well as ensure that those living with the disease have access to available care and treatment services..