The Black AIDS Institute Launches an All-Black Scientific Advisory Committee

LOS ANGELES, Nov. 10, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- The Black AIDS Institute (BAI), the nation's only think and do tank committed to ending HIV in Black America, is proud to announce its 12-member Scientific Advisory Committee. The committee comprised entirely of Black experts will provide BAI with timely and culturally relevant scientific guidance, and will also review the quality and relevance of the technical information that BAI incorporates into its programmatic and policy endeavors.

BAI's all-Black Scientific Advisory Committee represents an integrative approach to community health by including renowned professionals across medicine, public health, research, and academia. By combining evidence-based approaches specific to Black communities and centering undermined experiences such as medical mistrust, the committee's guidance will strengthen BAI's mission to revolutionize the Black HIV response. This, in turn, will move us toward complete freedom for Black people to live long, healthy lives.

"The timely formation of BAI's Scientific Advisory Committee is critical in addressing Black health disparities that have been documented in the HIV/AIDS epidemic, are being repeated in the COVID-19 pandemic, and anticipated in the development and dissemination of the coronavirus vaccine," says Raniyah Copeland, MPH, President & CEO, BAI. "With 100+ years of cumulative infectious disease experience, the 12 committee members' knowledge and their lived experiences of Black-centric health equity barriers borne from racist health systems, will enhance BAI's strategic programming and community engagement in Los Angeles and across the U.S."

The 12 esteemed members of the Black AIDS Institute’s Scientific Advisory Committee include (alphabetical order): 

1. Adaora Adimora, MD: American doctor and academic
2. Greg Millett, MPH: Vice President and Director, Public Policy, amfAR, The Foundation for AIDS Research
3. Jewell Thais-Williams, LAc, DipLAc: Founder, Village Health Foundation
4. Dr. Lane Rolling, MD: Director, Clinical Education & Research, Tropical Pathology and Infectious Disease Association (TPaIDA)
5. Dr. Leo Moore: Clinic Services Medical, Los Angeles County
6. LaRon E. Nelson, PhD, RN, FNP, FNAP, FAAN: Scientist and OHTN HIV Research Chair in Implementation Science with Black Communities
7. Nina T. Harawa, MPH, PhD.: Associate Professor, Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science and Professor-in-Residence, David Geffen School of Medicine
8. Oni J. Blackstock, MD, MHS: Former Assistant Commissioner, Bureau of HIV, New York City Department of Health and Founder of Health Justice
9. Robert E. Fullilove, EdD: Adjunct Professor of Health Education, Teachers College, Columbia University
10. Stephaun E. Wallace, PhD, MS, MOL: Director of External Relations, HIV Vaccine Trials Network
11. Tagbo Ekwonu, MD, AAHIVS: Family Medicine Physician
12. Yvonne T. Maddox, PhD.: Former Vice President for Research, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Department of Defense and President and CEO, TAThornton Foundation

ABOUT BLACK AIDS INSTITUTE

Founded in 1999, the Black AIDS Institute (BAI) is the only uniquely and unapologetically Black think and do tank in America. Leading the fight to end the Black HIV epidemic, we are led by people who represent the issues we serve. We source our capacity building, mobilization, and advocacy efforts from Black leaders and communities across the country, and provide culturally respectful, high-quality, HIV prevention and care services for Black people in Los Angeles. Learn more at https://blackaids.org

PRESS CONTACT: 
Michelle Huff Elliott | Simone Smalls
Strategic Heights Media
[email protected] 
212-634-7176

SOURCE Black AIDS Institute (BAI)

Related Links

https://blackaids.org/