Progress Update: HIV Health Equity Leadership Development Program Cohort

The HIV Health Equity Leadership Development Program continues to move forward! During the second monthly learning session on March 1st, participants focused their learning on health policy relative to HIV/AIDS and strategized meaningful policy and structural changes for achieving health equity. Special thanks to Task Force members Mandisa Moore-O'Neal (Center for HIV Policy and Law) and Will Ramirez (Southern AIDS Coalition) who served as presenters. As a follow-up activity for the session, participants were placed in groups of four to develop their own HIV health equity policy proposal to be shared among the cohort for peer feedback. 

Participants continue to positively respond to the sessions and opportunities for learning, agreeing that the topics presented are relevant to their current HIV work. 

In a recent evaluation, one participant stated that the program’s “atmosphere is very free thinking and relaxing,” while several participants noted the connections established among the cohort by sharing their respective backgrounds, stories, and experiences. 

The next session will be held on April 5th with a theme of "Community Engagement and Coalition-building." Featured speakers will discuss "Meaningful Involvement of People with HIV/AIDS" and "Bridging Health Equity through Coalition-building and Community Engagement."

Coming Soon: Data Report - Rural versus Urban Study

To get more insights for the End the Epidemic (EHE) initiative, SHLI engaged with communities in both rural and urban parts of Georgia. In multiple interactive focus groups and interview sessions, participants discussed service provision, access to health care, housing, education, stigma, and employment opportunities. Those conversations will provide a snapshot of the current state of service and HIV testing offerings, as well as identify potential gaps and areas for improvement.

Meet Beautifull Fendi Devynne

Community Health Worker

Beautifull Fendi Devynne is a Community Health Worker, Educator, Activist, Advocate, and Speaker. She has worked in the field since 2013, starting as a volunteer for different organizations in the community. Beautifull is a Black Woman living the Trans experience through her vision to dismantle myths of the Black Transwoman to create spaces for more equity for services, success, and life. 

During her volunteer work, she grew a larger passion for reaching her community and providing support, strength, and encouragement to those she encountered. She grew up learning the value of community and strong ties to give back and nurture those in need. Before working in HIV and the Human Rights Movement, she shared a passion for organization, management training, and customer service development in retail and hospitality environments.  

Beautifull received “The Trailblazer Award of 2019 from (TGE) Trans Gentlemen of Excellence, Inc. She also serves on the Jurisdictional HIV Prevention Planning Council, Georgia Prevention and Care Council, SNAPCo, Building Leaders of Color (NMAC), GA Equality, Impulse Atlanta, Positive Women’s Network, Transgender Law Center, LaGender Inc., Transgender Strategy Center, Women on the Rise, and Ryan White Planning Council. She also has completed programs through Elton John's AIDS Foundation “Linkage to Care Peer Guide Training Program”, “Community Wellness Project, Community Promise for HIP Intervention, and “Willow, Twillow, and Twist Intervention Facilitator Training” through the CDC. She is also a Lead Consultant for (ABC Atlanta, LLC) Advocates for Better Care Atlanta, LLC and a consultant for Gilead Sciences and the CDC.

Kudos to all of the SHLI team members who joined the Quad Caucus of State Legislators for their Health Equity Policy session. It was an engaging conversation about the productive work that the SHLI team is doing around mental health, HIV/AIDS, and Education and Training.

Panelists pictured (from left to right):

• Dr. Harris-Hooker, Interim Executive Director - Satcher Health Leadership Institute at Morehouse School of Medicine
• Afshan Lakhani, MA, Program Manager - Kennedy-Satcher Center for Mental Health Equity at Satcher Health Leadership Institute
• Evan Martin, LMSW, Project Manager - Satcher Health Leadership Institute at Morehouse School of Medicine
• Allyson Belton, MPH, Director of Education and Training, Satcher Health Leadership Institute at Morehouse School of Medicine
• Dr. Conwell, Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer - Morehouse School of Medicine

AMA accepting applications for Medical Justice in Advocacy Fellowship until April 1

Article by the California Medical Association

The American Medical Association (AMA) and the Satcher Health Leadership Institute (SHLI) are accepting applications for the third cohort of the Medical Justice in Advocacy Fellowship, a collaborative educational initiative to empower physician-led advocacy that advances equity and removes barriers to optimal health for marginalized people and communities.

Physicians and residents who have a demonstrated interest in health equity and health advocacy are encouraged to submit an application package by

April 1.