While a myriad of health education and prevention programs exist in the community and on HBCU college campuses, most women are unaware of these resources and, most importantly, the availability and effectiveness of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), despite being at greater risk of HIV. Black Women and HIV: Empowerment through Engagement, Education, and Enrichment (“Empower”) is an HBCU led, collaborative, multi-year initiative committed to advancing HIV prevention and sexual health among Black women by implementing culturally responsive education and community engagement.

Program methodology targets undergraduate students, as well as the community at large and incorporates the arts, storytelling and peer-led approaches. One signature component, the Theater Arts (TA) Peer Educator Program, reimagines HIV prevention education delivery. First- and second-year undergraduate students (most female identifying) were recruited and trained through a culturally sensitive, train-the-trainer model focused on sexual education, HIV knowledge, facilitation, advocacy, and creative expression. Their knowledge was evaluated with a pre-test/post-test instrument. TA Peers work together to host performance-based events which convey sexual health and HIV prevention education. This group of poets, actors, rappers, and singers leverages their varied skills to deliver sexual health information in an innovative way, on campus and in the wider community. While still early in the implementation of this intervention, initial activities have sparked interest and show significant engagement levels.