April 2, 2013
Florida A&M University's Women's Conference Week ended on March 29, with the group Students Against the Spread of HIV/AIDS-Access to Rapid Tests (SASHA-ARTs) hosting "Tea Time: Girl if you only knew." Sharronda James, president of the university's SASHA-ARTs chapter, explained that Tea Time was a "girl talk and open discussion" about the stigma against HIV/AIDS in the black community. James said that the event was aimed at women and was intended to bring awareness to the community and educate students about how to maintain a healthy body and lifestyle.
A pharmacy student who attended said that the event was informative and reminded her not to be judgmental. She learned that it was important to know the facts about HIV/AIDS before judging someone with the disease. Sheena Grayson, another student and HIV/AIDS advocate, expressed appreciation for the awareness campaign on campus. Grayson, who has a close friend with HIV/AIDS, commented that people who do not have the disease should be more sensitive to those who are infected. At the end of the event, participants viewed a short film titled "Secrets." The film was produced and directed by Alexandria Collins, a senior broadcast journalism student. Collins explained that she wanted to provide an honest, truthful portrayal of what people experience instead of hiding the issues.