Past Event

HIV and the Politics of Race - The Minority AIDS
Initiative at 25 

This forum was held in commemoration of World AIDS Day 2023, the 25th anniversary of the Minority AIDS Initiative (MAI). It focused on the history, impact, and future of the MAI in addressing HIV/AIDS disparities among minority communities in the United States. The forum included panel discussions on the current state of HIV/AIDS in minority communities, the political and legal challenges facing race-based initiatives, and strategies for continued advocacy and funding.

Congresswoman Maxine Waters, who spearheaded the creation of the MAI in 1998, delivered a keynote address highlighting the initiative's achievements and the ongoing need for targeted funding and activism.

View keynote speech
 

Action Items

1. Protection and increase in funding for the Minority AIDS Initiative, especially in the face of imminent opposition from Republicans for budget cut. Call for increased funding across the four agencies involved in MAI.
2. Redirect MAI funds to minority-led organizations. The original intent of the initiative is to fund minority-led, community-based organizations. It is important to develop strategies to target funds effectively while navigating legal challenges to race-based programs.
3. Advocate for programs to increase PrEP uptake among minority communities and support efforts to make PrEP more accessible and affordable.
4. Address social determinants of health: Promote policies that address housing, education, and economic factors influencing HIV risk. Also advocate for support for programs that integrate HIV care with other health and social services
5. Strengthen data collection, reporting and research on effective interventions for reducing disparities.
6. Engage in coordinated advocacy efforts using coalition-building across various marginalized communities and by organizing visible, persistent advocacy campaigns to influence policymakers.
7. Advocate for programs to increase representation of minorities in healthcare professions and support cultural competency training for healthcare providers
8. Protect and expand comprehensive sex education that is evidence-based and culturally appropriate.
9. Advocate for policies that address related issues such as LGBTQ+ rights, women's health, and substance use treatment
10. Support legal efforts to defend race-conscious programs in public health
11. Promote community engagement: Support initiatives that meaningfully involve affected communities in program design and implementation and advocate for community advisory boards in HIV/AIDS research and program development