NMAC Training Center to End the HIV Epidemic in America (The Center) will act as an umbrella to NMAC’s training and leadership development activities. The Center is committed to working with and training health departments and community-based organizations about ending the HIV epidemic. We are committed to partner with government and non-government organizations, private sectors, health centers, hospitals and community-based organizations, health sciences and research institutions, and most importantly, community representatives within the movement.
The Center will serve as a principal vehicle of HIV public health education, advocacy, and training that will empower people at all levels of HIV leadership, engagement, and workforce. The Center will offer high-quality training, tools, and resources for thousands of HIV professionals engaged in the critical work of advancing public health and improving population health.
The Center Goals
- Building HIV prevention and care skills for workforce professionals using innovative training technologies as a platform for learning
- Ensuring that HIV public health professionals can access high-quality training, tools, and resources through the on-line learning navigator
- Leading training responses to emerging HIV issues
- Convening HIV change-agents and stakeholders to move the movement to end HIV as an epidemic
Our mission is to train the HIV workforce to end the HIV epidemic in America and to bring the voices of community to the important tables where decisions are made, particularly the voices of people of color living with HIV, transgender communities of color, black women, gay men of color and people of color on PrEP.
Vision – A well-trained HIV workforce positioned to end HIV as a national epidemic through the delivery of comprehensive training, leadership development, advocacy, and intentional engagement.
Impact – The Center is committed to take on the large and complex challenges needed to train the national HIV workforce to end the HIV epidemic in America. We are committed to be a go-to source of high-quality training for thousands of professionals across the nation.
Building Leaders of Color Living with HIV (BLOC)
Building Leaders of Color (BLOC) is NMAC’s national leadership training program. The program is funded by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) HIVAIDS Bureau (HAB),
The BLOC training program is for people of color living with HIV (POCLWH) of all ages. The program is designed to mobilize POCLWH to be actively engaged in the community planning process. The program looks to train POCLWH leaders on HIV service planning, the HIV Care Continuum, and service delivery systems of care. Graduates will help expand the capacity of HIV prevention and care service delivery systems – including Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program (RWHAP) providers, governmental agencies, and planning entities – to respond to the social and structural barriers to HIV prevention, care, treatment in their communities, and other mobilization efforts to address the goals of the National HIV/AIDS Goals.
BLOC targets POCLWH of all ages who identify as Black, Latinx, American Indian/Alaska Native, Asian, and Pacific Islander, with a special focus on transgender women of color living with HIV.
To do this work NMAC partnered with Positively Trans (T+), a program of the Transgender Law Center (TLC), the United States People Living with HIV Caucus (HIV Caucus), and Positive Women’s Network-USA (PWN).
NextGen
NMAC’s NextGen: Emerging Leaders Fellowship is a program sponsored by ViiV Healthcare. The program aims to assist young leaders in the fight to end the HIV epidemic in becoming more effective and informed health advocates; it is our goal to empower them to become more active in their communities. Each year the program selects 30 qualified young adults ages 18-25, both living with HIV and HIV negative allies, to build their capacity to partner with a local community agency. This partnership provides education for young adults to influence HIV prevention and service delivery in their communities. Fellows will take part in various events through their tenure including webinars and conferences to help further develop their skills and knowledge to prepare them to lead the efforts to end the HIV epidemic in their communities and across the country.
Growing Leadership Opportunities for Women
GLOW (Growing Leadership Opportunities for Women) is a community-led and community-driven program designed to illuminate the path to empower cisgender and transgender Women of Color to a personal and professional growth. GLOW provides an opportunity where experienced leaders can guide and support women in their career paths. This helps women to gain valuable insights and perspectives from those who have already achieved success in their fields. The program also offers networking opportunities, which allow women to connect with other professionals and build relationships that can help them advance in their careers.
How We started:
GLOW emerged in 2019 as a response to the absence of a dedicated program for women in NMAC. Initially starting as a program exclusively for cisgender women, the first cohort of GLOW was scheduled for February 2019. Due to funding challenges, the program persisted and experienced transformation to become more inclusive.
In 2022, we hosted 14 community engagement sessions around the US, which served as an opportunity to actively listen and engaged the thoughts, concerns, and ideas of women from various walks of life.
However, in 2023, GLOW made a significant stride towards inclusivity by re-engaging the original cohort and extending a warm invitation to transgender women. This decision highlights the importance of GLOW’s commitment of creating an inclusive space that ensures that all women are provided a with a platform to thrive and succeed.
What to Expect:
Through GLOW, women will gain valuable insights, develop leadership capabilities, and enhance your communication skills. Our carefully crafted curriculum covers a wide range of topics, including:
- Financial health
- Mental Health
- Self-Advocacy
- Female Anatomy and Sexual Wellness
- Healthy Relationships
- Resume and Interview Workshops
With a blend of interactive educational sessions, GLOW offers a supportive environment where participants can thrive and flourish. In addition to these resources, GLOW provides women with access to an online learning management system, Tovuti. Tovuti prepares participants for in-person sessions by allowing access to pre-session materials that can be reviewed at their own pace. By utilizing this online collaborative platform, this will enhance participant engagement and maximize the learning experience for all that is involved. Upon completion of the program, GLOW offers participants the opportunity to apply for a mini grant that will provide them resources to help create a project that will reach GLOW’s population of focus and building knowledge, skills, and empowerment at the local level. By providing women with the tools and resources they need to succeed, these programs can help close the gender gap in leadership and promote greater gender diversity in organizations.
Are you ready to embrace your true potential, embrace the GLOW within you, and embark on an empowering journey of self-discovery? Let GLOW be your guiding light as you step into a future filled with endless possibilities!