African American HIV University (AAHU)

Aimed at strengthening Black organizational and individual capacity to address the HIV/AIDS epidemic in their communities, the African American HIV University (AAHU) is the comprehensive training and capacity building fellowship program developed by the Black AIDS Institute. AAHU is composed of two colleges: the AAHU Community Mobilization College, and the AAHU Science and Treatment College. Each college has a distinct curriculum, cohort of fellows, and application process.

AAHU Community Mobilization College

The Black AIDS Institute's AAHU Community Mobilization College (AAHU CMC) utilizes a Community Mobilization Model to enhance the capacity of Black communities to address the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Through building the knowledge and networks of community leaders around the country and providing a skills-building internship practicum focused on community mobilization, individuals become capable of engaging traditional Black institutions and other stakeholders in local level community activities that will increase access to and utilization of HIV prevention services in their communities. AAHU CMC runs for approximately 11 months.

• Engages participants in four comprehensive community mobilization trainings that allow them to learn and review concepts in manageable modules, building upon an ever-increasing knowledge base. These trainings are focused on the four key components of the AAHU Community Mobilization Model:
  • Training Module 1: Assessment
  • Training Module 2: Strategic Planning and Implementation
  • Training Module 3: Monitoring and Evaluation
  • Training Module 4: Community Mobilization Symposium
• Three community mobilization internships immerse participants in an environment where they continuously practice and apply the new skills-based knowledge and expertise gained through the comprehensive trainings. Each internship is approximately 90 days and takes place between training tracks.

AAHU CMC will begin accepting applications on Monday, November 30, 2009.

The 2010 in-person cohort meetings are scheduled as follows:

• Module 1: April 25-30, 2010
• Module 2: July 11-16, 2010
• Module 3: September 19-24, 2010
• Graduation: January 21-23, 2011

AAHU Science & Treatment College

AAHU Science and Treatment College (AAHU STC) ensures participants learn complex HIV, leadership and community mobilization information incrementally. There is a concentrated and repetitive tackling of the underlying social, economic and cultural factors that prevent Black people from fully accessing and using HIV services.

AAHU STC takes place over 24 months. The next STC cohort will begin in late 2010.

AAHU STC takes a unique and effective method for addressing these complex issues. The program integrates increased and comprehensive HIV knowledge with a variety of community mobilization and leadership development techniques. This enhanced knowledge and skill addresses the barriers that prevent many in the Black community from utilizing HIV services. Two major components of the program are:

• Engaging participants in five comprehensive adult-centered trainings that allow them to learn and review in manageable modules, building upon an ever-increasing knowledge base; and
• Immersing participants in an environment where they continuously practice and apply new skills based on their knowledge through case simulations, four internships and technical assistance in replicating our model.