The UNC IGHID Clinical Trials Unit (CTU) participated in the “Vision for Change: Empowering Communities in NC through Community Engagement” event on Saturday, August 30 at the Community Family Life & Recreation Center at Lyon Park in Durham.
Our team (Miriam, Ann, and Tia) joined Alicia Diggs with UNC CFAR, CARE CAB, and a variety of community partners, to create a meaningful day of learning, connection, and empowerment. At the CTU table, attendees engaged with educational materials about our ongoing clinical studies, participated in a fun quiz-style game, and received giveaways designed to spark awareness and conversation. Visitors asked thoughtful questions about the types of studies we offer, showing genuine interest in research and community health.
The event also featured impactful presentations and interactive sessions led by partners including the NC AIDS Action Network and ViiV. Topics included HIV criminalization where we’ve been, where we are, and where we are going and the importance of identity, language, and presentation in how people experience care and community. Through group discussions like “How do you identify?”, participants highlighted the need to focus on people’s whole identities, not just their diagnosis or sexuality.
Overall, the event was a great success bringing together vendors, community members, and advocates to exchange knowledge, uplift one another, and reinforce the collective commitment to equity in health and beyond.”
Submitted by Tia Morgan-Revere, MSc
Global HIV Prevention and Treatment Clinical Trials Unit