Streaming in a Zip Line

COP 24/7 in it's continuing mission to stay on the cutting edge of technology and all things trending over the Internet.  This forum takes another bold step in bringing today's post as a "live" post ( 9:00 am) from the Community Mobilization meeting being held in downtown Little Rock, at the Darragh Center in the Central Arkansas Library. The session began with two spoken word piece featuring Mr. Uriah Bell who read, "For the Boys," which called out the plight of those who are on the "down low" angle who also face infections and stigma. His second item entitled, "Catastrophe," which grappled with the impact of current economic times juxtaposed to coming to grips with their sexuality. Each item was an original composition from his book, "Mood Swings and other Rants."
The speakers today are addressing how best practices can be scaled up in reference to the current as well as troubling spikes within Arkansas' Black communities. JCCSI's ( Jefferson Comprehensive Care Systems) SAMSA Manager, Mrs. Sybil Ward spoke to the dilemma of Black women's perception of self worth in conjunction with economic conditions, co-morbidity's and mental health. Ward emphasized that HIV & AIDS can longer be "the secret" that is buried with partners, love ones or family members. She continued that "Its important that we understand the "choices" that are being made not only by women but those who have self esteem issues that often does not link them to care." In keeping it real, we must no longer lack the ability to talk about sexual health and the multitude of reasons that women are not empowered in relation to this disease."
Bishop Michael Thomas, cited startling and frank facts concerning severe substance abuse in the delta area such as cities as Helena, West Helena, and Marianna. He said that cases in which mother's used their daughters for access to drugs. Also he pointed out the violence induced lyrics of hip-hop which glorify the gangsta lifestyle and prison life in which many prisoners find themselves involved with unsuspecting women. Bishop Thomas decried that within his prison ministry he has seen a certain level of individuals that are in a desperation mode. He believes that more can be done if additional sharing of personal experiences and set backs can be forthcoming in numerous settings such as his mobile health intervention unit which serves his community as often as possible. Bishop Thomas said as a pastor we must become better overseers to our congregations and move more about within our schools and rehab facilities. Rounding out the day included the film presentation, HIV/AIDS in Arkansas: Life in the African American MSM Community Video which spotlighted the ongoing "care paradox" involving linkages to care and the "spoke and wheel" dimensions of the socio-determinants of the disease. Nigel Weatherspoon, Program Educator for AIDS Alabama reiterated the recent CDC statistics quantifying rates within their community, messages created to support MSM (Men having Sex with Men), and the "MSM Cycle" which details the evolution of discovering one's sexuality. He also spoke of a life skills drop-in center and other culturally competent curriculum developed to aligned with the Obama Administrations National HIV/ AIDS Strategy.  Rounding out the day included a panel discussion facilitated by Health Educator Karen Swinton discussing the realm of health education within the school system, community assessments from Dr. Creshelle Nash and summary by host, Courtney Hampton who advised all participants to full fill their "bucket list"of ideas that will assist with more mobilization with their communities respectively. ( photo credit: National HIV/AIDS MSM prevention campaign) For more information check out our links in our link section for more updates, resources and contacts.