Page 7 - Torch - January 2020

In recognition of World AIDS Day (WAD) 2019, the HIV within the community and the commitment to
Montgomery (AL) Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma support not only Montgomery (AL) Alumnae
Theta Sorority, Inc., hosted “Moving Beyond Stigma: Chapter, but also the partnering organizations who
A Community Conversation About HIV and Stigma”, are continuing to address this issue.
on December 7th, 2019 at Kress on Dexter. This anti
-HIV stigma community conversation and free HIV This “day of service” event marking WAD 2019
testing event was the culmination of a 2-part activity covered two core strategic areas: Education and
Health/Hygiene, designated by our national
held in conjunction with community partners Medical
Advocacy and Outreach (MAO), Health Services organization, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. as an
area of focus for all International Awareness and
Incorporated (HSI), and Central Alabama Alliance, Involvement committees on the local level. The
Resource and Advocacy Center (CAARAC). activity also aligns with the sorority’s national strate-

Part One of the WAD 2019 activity consisted of HIV gic initiatives in the fight against HIV which are: To
test training, which included chapter members being show support for people with HIV, and; to commemo-
rate those who died due to AIDS-related illnesses. In
educated and certified, to administer rapid oral HIV
addition, the event illustrated the importance and
tests in our service area and with the proper protocol appropriateness of the sorority’s WAD 2019 theme -
required to direct those with positive diagnosis to “Communities Make the Difference” in bringing
appropriate resources available in the community. together a diverse group of professionals, activists, and
The training sessions, which took place at MAO’s community members who are working at the grass-
Learning Center located on Fisk Rd., Montgomery, roots level to end the epidemic. Our chapter, as well as,
our partner organizations, city and state governmental
AL also offered CEU’s which were provided by
request and the training was also extended to other agencies, and community advocates had an opportunity
to engage, discuss, brainstorm and lay groundwork
area chapters. Instruction sessions took place on which would ultimately be taken back to our respective
Thursday, Nov. 7 , 5:30pm – 7:30pm and Friday,
th
organizations to strengthen partnerships and coordi-
th
Nov. 8 , 10am – 12pm. Light meals were donated by nate efforts in testing and developing strategies to end
CAARAC for the sessions. Upon completion, sorors the epidemic. The community discussion panel facili-
were prepared to serve as community HIV testers tated by Soror Shakita Brooks Jones (CAARAC),
beginning with the December 7 WAD event, which consisted of Soror Marguerite Barber Owens, M.D.
th
offered a community conversation and free HIV test- (MAO), Elana Parker Merriweather (MAO), Doug
ing. McCloud (MAO), and Marco Mays (M2 Consulting).
Panelists engaged in a spirited discussion on what
Part Two of the WAD 2019 activity was additionally strategies may be employed and conveyed to our
supported by the Physical and Mental Health com- respective organizations to broaden the network of
mittee of the Montgomery (AL) Alumnae Chapter advocates who are engaged in the fight against HIV in
and gave those who certified an opportunity to partic- the community. The event was held at the Kress On
ipate in the first of a series of community testing Dexter, Community Room, 39 Dexter Ave., Montgom-
ery, AL from 9:30am–12pm. Free, fast, and confiden-
events designed to strategically impact and raise
awareness of the AIDS pandemic, which dispropor- tial HIV testing was performed throughout the event
with the generous support of HSI’s mobile testing unit.
tionately impacts citizens in the Montgomery area. A MAO provided $25 gift cards to all who consented to
recent newspaper article indicated that Montgomery be tested for HIV. Cahawba House sponsored the
County has the highest rates of those being newly delicious breakfast; Prevail Coffee sponsored gourmet
diagnosed with HIV. This serious matter prompted coffee; and Kress on Dexter offered the use of their
Montgomery’s Mayor, Steven Reed, to provide a Community Room to host this important community
written statement acknowledging the seriousness of conversation.