The Act Against AIDS Leadership Initiative (AAALI)

• Why does AAALI focus on specific communities?
• Who are the current AAALI partners?
• What does it mean to be a part of AAALI?
• What have AAALI partners accomplished?
• How can I learn more about the AAALI partners?

Why does AAALI focus on specific communities?

HIV takes the greatest toll on African Americans, Hispanics/Latinos and MSM of all races. The rate of new infections among blacks is eight times the rate among whites. Among Hispanics, the rate of new HIV infections is three times as high as that of whites. And according to a recent CDC analysis, even though MSM represent approximately 2% of the U.S. population, they accounted for over half of all new HIV infections annually from 2006-2009. In 2009, MSM accounted for 61% of HIV diagnoses

AAALI partner organizations were chosen based on their demonstrated national reach, credibility and influence, as well as their ability to effectively reach these impacted communities through their existing communication channels and mobilization activities. The effort brings together a wide range of organizations, including civic, social, civil rights and professional organizations, as well as those in government, education and media.

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Who are the current AAALI partners?

AAALI partners currently include:

100 Black Men of America (100BMOA), a national alliance of leading African American men of business, industry, public affairs and government whose mission is to improve the quality of life for African Americans, particularly African American youth.

American Urban Radio Networks (AURN), the nation’s only African American owned network radio company, which broadcasts programming to more than 300 radio stations nationwide.

Aspira Association, the only national Hispanic organization dedicated exclusively to developing the educational and leadership capacity of Hispanic youth.

Black Men’s Xchange-National (BMX), the largest and oldest national organization for Black MSM in the nation.

Black Women’s Health Imperative (BWHI), the only organization devoted solely to advancing the health and wellness of African American women and girls.

Congressional Black Caucus Foundation (CBCF), a nonpartisan, nonprofit, public policy, research and education institute to help improve the socio-economic circumstances of African Americans and other underserved communities.

Farmworker Justice, a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering Hispanic and other migrant and seasonal farmworkers to improve their living and working conditions, immigration status, health, occupational safety and access to the justice system.

International Federation of Black Prides (IFBP), a coalition of Black pride organizers promoting a multinational network of LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) and community-based organizations.

National Action Network (NAN), a leading civil rights organization devoted to the fight for civil rights, social justice and justice for all people regardless of gender, race, religion or national origin.

National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), the nation’s oldest and largest civil rights organization with more than half a million members and supporters nationwide.

National Council of Negro Women (NCNW), a national membership organization connecting nearly 4 million women worldwide to lead, develop and advocate for women of African descent around issues of human welfare and rights through public education, community service and advocacy.

National Hispanic Council on Aging (NHCOA), a constituency-based organization dedicated exclusively to the welfare of Hispanic older adults, their families and their caregivers.

National Medical Association (NMA), the largest and oldest national organization representing African American physicians and their patients in the United States.

National Newspaper Publishers Association Foundation (NNPA), a 69-year-old federation of more than 200 Black community newspapers from across the United States.

National Organization of Black County Officials (NOBCO), a coalition of Black elected and appointed officials within county government focusing on economic and community development.

National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE), an organization with over 3,000 members that aims to administer justice equally and eliminate racism and bias within law enforcement.

National Urban League (NUL), the nation’s oldest and largest community-based movement devoted to empowering African Americans to enter the economic and social mainstream.

Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority (SGR), an international, nonprofit community service organization with over 500 chapters comprised primarily of African American women providing public service, leadership development and education.

Southern Christian Leadership Foundation (SCLF), one of the oldest and most influential civil rights organizations in the United States.

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What does it mean to be a part of AAALI?

While many AAALI partners have longstanding commitments to fighting HIV in their communities, AAALI provides the critical funding needed to allow each group to make HIV prevention a core component of its day-to-day activities. Each organization uses AAALI funds to support an HIV coordinator who works through the organization’s membership networks to disseminate Act Against AIDS campaign materials and HIV prevention services.

AAALI partners conduct a wide range of communication, mobilization and outreach activities. Examples include:

• Holding education and training sessions on HIV prevention at national and regional membership conventions
• Integrating Act Against AIDS and other HIV prevention messages into community forums
• Prominently placing Act Against AIDS and other HIV prevention public service announcements (PSAs) and news stories in broadcast and print outlets throughout the nation
• Working with celebrities to produce PSAs about HIV prevention
• Training and funding local chapters to implement community-based HIV awareness campaigns
• Working to educate national, state and local policymakers and community leaders about the role of HIV prevention in advancing the well-being of African Americans, Hispanics and gay and bisexual men of all races
• Extending Act Against AIDS campaign messages through organization publications, Web sites and public appearances

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What have AAALI partners accomplished?

Since the launch of AAALI in April 2009 through March 2011, AAALI partner organizations have coordinated nearly 1,300 HIV-related activities, including briefings, chapter trainings, workshops, and outreach events. These events have been attended by more than 482,000 people, and have engaged nearly 400 chapters and affiliates of AAALI organizations across the country in HIV prevention activities, and reached millions more with critical HIV prevention messages through conferences, advertisements, and media stories.
Examples of accomplishments by AAALI organizations include:

• Placement of an Act Against AIDS PSA in Times Square, reaching more than 1 million people in New York City
• A series of radio interviews with key public health leaders on the importance of HIV testing, reaching more than 43,575,000 listeners
• Radio PSAs on HIV prevention featuring celebrities such as Angela Bassett, Laila Ali and Jamie Foxx, among others
• A nationwide health and HIV education tour reaching 60,000 people in 25 cities across the country
• HIV testing for more than 13,900 attendees at AAALI events
• A national tour to build HIV awareness in African American communities
• A Physician Toolkit providing information on HIV testing and risk-reduction counseling to more than 2,000 African American doctors
• A series of articles and YouTube videos featuring African American leaders in the fight against HIV
• Community town halls and forums led by congressional and local leaders in New York, South Carolina, Washington, DC and more

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How can I learn more about the AAALI partners?

You can learn more about the current partners of AAALI by visiting the Web sites listed below. Please note that links to organizations outside of CDC are included for information only. CDC has no control over the information at these sites. The views and opinions of these organizations are not necessarily those of CDC, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), or the U.S. Public Health Service (PHS).

100 Black Men of America: http://www.100blackmen.org

American Urban Radio Networks: http://www.aurn.com

Aspira Association: http://www.aspira.org

Black Men’s Xchange-National: http://www.bmxny.org

Black Women’s Health Imperative: http://www.blackwomenshealth.org

Congressional Black Caucus Foundation: http://www.cbcfinc.org

Farmworker Justice: http://www.fwjustice.org

International Federation of Black Prides: http://www.ifbprides.org

National Action Network:  http://www.nationalactionnetwork.net

National Association for the Advancement of Colored People: http://www.naacp.org

National Council of Negro Women: http://www.ncnw.org

National Hispanic Council on Aging: http://www.nhcoa.org

National Medical Association: http://www.nmanet.org

National Newspaper Publishers Association Foundation: http://www.nnpa.org

National Organization of Black County Officials: http://www.nobcoinc.org

National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives: http://www.noblenational.org

National Urban League: http://www.nul.org

Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority: http://www.sgrho1922.org

Southern Christian Leadership Foundation: http://www.sclfoundation.org

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