For National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day on Feb. 7 the local nonprofit organization Us Helping Us People Into Living made it a priority to spread awareness to Howard University students.
Alongside its continued partnership with Howard University’s Health Center, Us Helping Us People Into Living brought other community organizations, like Planned Parenthood, into Blackburn’s Gallery Room to expand the reach of Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day. Howard’s Health Center also provided free STD/STI screenings, contraceptives and educational materials aimed at promoting awareness and reducing stigma surrounding HIV/AIDS.
“This opens that door for folks to be vulnerable enough to learn about HIV,” said Antoine Pollard, head coordinator at Us Helping Us People Into Living.
The nonprofit has partnered with Howard’s Health Center for seven years to celebrate Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day.
“Today’s event is called ‘Black Love,” Pollard said. “This is to provide education and have a space for students to come relax and get the things they need.”
Along with the provided resources, students had the opportunity to receive free massages and participate in games and activities.
“We have games where students are able to come and play and win a gift card to Whole Foods,” Pollard said. “They get tested, they get a gift card to Walmart or Amazon.”
Pollard emphasized the importance of working to reduce the stigma of HIV/AIDS through events such as Black Love Day.
“We’re able to let them know that it’s okay to be unsure, but to get the knowledge you need so you can live a good life,” Pollard said.
Black Love has helped spread awareness to students like Liyana McKelvin, a freshman health science major from New Jersey.
“Originally, I came for a blood donation for Red Cross with my friends,” said McKelvin. “Then we walked past and I heard music and a microphone and thought, what’s going on?”
McKelvin then said she recognized the event from the student Health Center.
“I saw it in the student health center a couple of days ago,” said McKelvin, “I personally wasn’t interested for personal reasons, I know I don’t have HIV.”
McKelvin admits to the stigma surrounding HIV/AIDS, but says that attending the event brought her more perspective. When she first walked in, she said it felt like a fun, kind and welcoming environment.
“They’re giving out free gift cards and information, and overall telling you to put yourself first,” McKelvin said. “I love that they’re bringing awareness to HIV because it is a serious topic.”
At each table, there were free condoms, lubricants and pamphlets talking about how to practice sexual health. At the Planned Parenthood table, students could ask questions and receive advice in real time.
“We’re here to ultimately promote self-love, because loving yourself is the first part of safer sex,” said Aleia Mays, the director of education and community engagement at D.C.’s Planned Parenthood. “We partnered with them [Student Health Center and Us Helping Us People Into Living] today to share more information about sex education because it’s extremely important.”
Mays stressed the importance of regularly getting tested.
“It’s important to know your status, then you can get the treatment that’s necessary just to be informed,” she said.
As the Day of Black Love brought students together and gave access to resources, Mays echoed the same message that many participants shared.
“Overall, reducing the stigma around HIV and STIs, that’s what it’s about,” Mays said. “Get into testing, make that a part of your normal daily life.”
Copy edited by D’Nyah Jefferson – Philmore
