{Recap} 2nd Annual Saving Our Sisters from HIV/AIDS Sheds Light on AIDS Epidemic among Black Women

April 12, 2011 - PRLog -- (Washington, DC) – On Saturday, March 12, 2011, Divas, MPH continued their movement to stop the spread of HIV/AIDS among African-American women and girls –a population with some of the fastest growing HIV infection rates. The 2nd Annual Saving Our Sisters from HIV/AIDS Health Summit held at The George Washington University attracted over 100 women, girls and men from the Washington DC area for an interactive day of health education and candid conversations about relationships and safer sex. Attendees also had the opportunity to receive FREE and confidential HIV testing, compliments of the Community Education Group (CEG). Radio/TV Personality Jeannie “Kitty of the City” Jones of 93.9 WKYS FM served as mistress of ceremonies in addition to leading a well-received discussion on healthy relationships with young women, while Dwayne Lawson Brown from Metro Teen AIDS was on hand to lead a similar discussion with young men who joined the summit that afternoon to attend the men’s-only HIV/AIDS 101 workshop. Other sessions included contraceptive negotiation and assertive communication skills for women and girls. The event concluded with a live web stream of “Dating in a World with HIV” Town Hall Meeting moderated by Justine Love, community director at CBS Radio and former host of Love Talk and Slow Jams on WPGC 95.5 FM.

“Divas, MPH 2nd Annual SOS Health Summit was an amazing event! I really enjoyed and appreciated how they incorporated the men in the summit. I left the Health Summit very informed. I also really enjoyed the Town Hall meeting with people who are infected with HIV. They helped me understand the epidemic a lot more. Thank you Divas, MPH keep up the GREAT work!,” said Will D. Jackson of The Fellaz Youth Foundation.

This year’s S.O.S Summit marked the beginning of a year-long Sister Circles mentoring program with young women and girls. This program matches teenage girls with trained young, female group leaders who will serve as mentors to help enforce positive choices and healthy lifestyles.

Divas, MPH would like to thank all of the sponsors and supporters for making this year’s S.O.S. Health Summit a success. For more information and to become involved in future Divas, MPH programs, email info@divasmph.org.

Sponsors
The BOSS Network, Black Public Health Student Network of George Washington University, Asyan Entertainment, Avenue 984, Ben’s Chili Bowl, Bliss Spa Washington DC, Brueggars Bagel, Café Glam/Amor Mona, Carolina Kitchen, Cold Stone Creamery of Largo, Coliseum Apparel, Create DC, Giant Food– Clinton, MD, Just in Case, Inc., Luxe Innovations, Sephora—Pentagon City, She’mar Lea—Intimate Desires, Starbucks, Tony & Joe’s, Wegmans—Woodmore, Wike World Entertainment, Zimstone Art Gallery,

Partners
AIDS Healthcare Foundation, Community Education Group, DC Department of Health, Family Connections, Heart & Soul Magazine, Jeannie Jones Mentoring Program, Justine Love/ CBS Radio, Metro Teen AIDS, Prince George’s County Health Department, The Fellaz Youth Foundation, Think Brown INK, Women’s Collective


About Divas, MPH
Divas, MPH is a 501(c)(3)  non profit organization committed to educating, empowering, and mobilizing women to create healthier communities. The vision of the Divas is to empower women to take an active interest in achieving and maintaining total health and wellness—mind, body, and soul—for themselves, their families, and their communities. Current work is based in the Washington, DC metropolitan area as well as Atlanta, Georgia, but the organization is always looking for opportunities to expand its outreach. Follow the Divas on Twitter at www.twitter.com/DivasMPH or on Facebook.

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