National Minority AIDS Council Building Healthier Communities

The National People of Color HIV/AIDS Working Group unites the efforts of the following national organizations in the creation of a national AIDS strategy that reflects the disproportionate impact of the AIDS epidemic in communities of color across the United States, its territories and possessions:

Asian & Pacific Islander Wellness Center

The Balm In Gilead

BIENESTAR

Black AIDS Institute

Latino Commission on AIDS

National Association of People with AIDS

National Black Leadership Commission on AIDS

National Minority AIDS Council

National Native American AIDS Prevention Center

Descriptions of these organizations are available here.

This work began with meeting of these national organizations and other faith- and community-based organizations nationwide this past August 13-14, 2008, at the Ford Foundation Building, in New York City. 

Several these organizations brought their own position papers to the table:

• Asian and Pacific Islander Wellness Center
  
  
• Latino Commission on AIDS Recommendations
  
  
• Black AIDS Institute Recommendations
  
  
• NMAC Policy Recommendations
  
  

This meeting resulted in the production of two publications:

2008 Partnership Paper: Fighting HIV/AIDS in Communities of Color: An Action Plan for the Next President

2008 Partnership Press Release

The working group has advanced its mission through conference calls, culminating in visits to Capitol Hill this past March 5-6, 2009. During these talks, they handed out the partnership paper and discussed united points summarized in this document.