All courses | eHealthHIV

Black Women and HIV: Empowerment through Engagement, Education, and Enrichment

Racism, poverty and lack of access to quality care significantly impact Black women’s health.

Higher rates of sexually transmitted infections (STls), lower rates of testing and higher rates of stigma continue to make Black women vulnerable to poorer health outcomes, including acquisition of HIV or STIs. As a traditionally marginalized group, and for many multi-layered reasons, educational and engagement opportunities and health data for and by Black women is limited.

HealthHIV, a premier national HIV nonprofit organization, and Howard University, a champion of Black women, are collaborating to conduct research, provide education, spark community engagement, and embrace the arts to create a path to empowerment. Our innovative project will improve the availability of data and develop creative health and wellbeing programming.

Navigating Difficult Health Discussions: Estate Planning and End of Life Decisions for Black Women

Navigating Difficult Health Discussions image

Description

This webinar on Tuesday, July 29, 2025 from 1:00 to 2:00pm ET addressed essential yet challenging conversations around estate planning, advance directives, DNR orders, living wills, life insurance, and death doulas, with a focus on Black women, including those living with HIV and other chronic illnesses. Participants will gain insights into securing their financial future, honoring healthcare preferences, and making informed end-of-life decisions. The faculty will provide guidance on navigating these discussions with loved ones, ensuring that Black women can protect their assets, advocate for their wishes, and cultivate peace of mind. By the end of the session, attendees will feel empowered to approach these conversations with confidence and clarity.

Learning Objectives

Discuss the importance of estate planning and advance directives, particularly for Black women and those living with HIV and other chronic illnesses.
Describe strategies for discussing healthcare preferences, life insurance, and end-of-life decisions with family and loved ones.
Explore ways to protect financial assets and ensure long-term security through proper legal documentation.
Identify ways to advocate for personal wishes and guide others in making informed planning decisions.

***Please note that continuing education credits are not available for this webinar.***

Empowering Black Women: HIV Awareness, Prevention and Harm Reduction Strategies

***Continuing education credits are not available for this webinar***

Subject: Health Disparities, Black Women’s Health, PrEP, HIV, Resources, Harm Reduction

Description: This webinar empowers Black women with essential knowledge on HIV prevention, awareness, and harm reduction. Participants will learn about the unique challenges faced by Black women, effective prevention methods, the importance of early detection, and practical strategies to reduce HIV risk. The session will also address stigma and provide tools for navigating healthcare disparities. By the end, attendees will be equipped with the knowledge to take control of their sexual health, reduce HIV risk, and advocate for better access to care in their communities.

Learning Objectives:

Examine the social, political, and structural factors that contribute to increased HIV/AIDS vulnerability among Black women and girls.
Discuss effective strategies for increasing HIV awareness, screening, and prevention within Black communities.
Identify harm reduction techniques for managing risk factors associated with HIV transmission

Faculty:

Dr. Lisa Connors

Dr. Lisa Connors is the Associate Pastor of In His Image International Ministry in Maryland. She is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (MD), Licensed Professional Counselor (PA), National Certified Counselor, Board-Certified Coach, and Master Addiction Counselor. Dr. Connors works tirelessly to help others reach their fullest potential in life, helping and supporting others who have been oppressed, stigmatized, marginalized, and victimized. Her greatest passion is working with individuals affected by HIV/AIDS, substance use and mental health disorders, violence/abuse/trauma, grief and loss, and racial and social injustices. What Dr. Connors has gained and learned in her life is what she desires to offer others. Knowing she has impacted someone’s life is her aspiration. Her motto is: “God has blessed her to be a blessing to others.” In addition to her pastoral, clinical, and coaching work, Dr. Connors is a college professor, a member of many local, state, and national organizations, and a trainer/consultant. Dr. Connors earned her Bachelor of Social Work, Master of Divinity, Master of Arts in Professional Counseling, and Ph.D. in Psychology.

Empowered Voices: HIV Prevention Resources for Black Women to Thrive

**Continuing education credits are not available for this webinar**

Description:

Join us for an informative webinar on insights into Black Women and HIV, where we will share key findings and insights from the Community Survey conducted in September and October 2024 by the Empower Program. This survey highlights the complex factors impacting Black women’s health, including homelessness, domestic violence, medical mistreatment, and insurance gaps—issues that contribute to increased risks and challenges in HIV care and prevention.

In this session, we'll explore how these intersecting factors affect Black women’s access to healthcare, support, and education. Don’t miss the chance to engage, learn, and be part of efforts aimed at reducing disparities and advancing health equity for Black women in the fight against HIV.

Learning Objectives:

Identify at least three major factors that contribute to health disparities and increased HIV risks among Black women
Discuss how intersecting factors like medical mistreatment and socioeconomic challenges affect Black women’s access to HIV care, support services, and education.
Identify at least 3 ways to positively impact the healthcare landscape for Black women

HealthHIV Staff: Sarah Brodt

Sarah Brodt is a seasoned public health professional with a robust background in health services research, evaluation, and community engagement. She currently serves as the Associate Director of Health Services Research and Evaluation at HealthHIV, where she leads national initiatives to improve health equity and outcomes across diverse populations, including those affected by HIV, viral hepatitis, and LGBTQ+ health challenges. Sarah’s expertise in qualitative and quantitative research underpins her commitment to addressing social determinants of health and promoting harm reduction strategies. Her work integrates psychosocial theories to develop needs assessments, evaluation tools, and actionable data-driven recommendations that enhance public health programming and capacity. Her leadership has influenced policy advocacy, training, and resource development for medically and socially complex populations. With experience as an epidemiologist at the Virginia Department of Health, Sarah has a strong foundation in infection prevention, data analysis, and compliance with public health regulations. Her ability to connect underserved communities with essential healthcare services supports efforts to reduce acute care use and improve treatment adherence for individuals with complex health needs. Sarah holds a Master of Public Health from Montclair State University and is a Certified Health Education Specialist. She combines her technical proficiency in tools like SPSS, Tableau, and REDCap with her dedication to fostering community health and resilience through tailored interventions and collaborative strategies.

Moderator: Amalia Amy Zamot

Amalia Amy Zamot has been active in the field of HIV for more than 25 years. Her career began in Ryan White case management where she was able to provide HOPWA, ADAP, PAC WAIVER, and AICP services in addition to general Ryan White case management services. She then moved into a regional position serving all of southwest Florida as the Regional Minority HIV/AIDS Coordinator. In this capacity she served as a liaison between the community and the Department of Health providing community mobilization and engagement, data interpretation, event coordination, curriculum development and training to increase HIV awareness and service access for ethnic and racial minority populations throughout the area. In 2013, she transitioned into the private sector where she served as the Director of Prevention and Community Services for a local community-based organization where she was able to increase prevention services along with growing a staff that focused on ensuring equitable access to services for vulnerable populations throughout Southwest Florida. More recently, she joined the staff of HealthHIV where she will be able to further develop her skills to enhance the HIV workforce via capacity building, elearning and other related programs. Miss Zamot has been featured in several television and social media outlets such as Lee Pitts Live, Wink news, Fox news and others throughout her career. She is passionate about impacting lives and spreading the word about HIV prevention and treatment for all.

Faculty: Maranda C. Ward

Maranda C. Ward, Ed.D. '17, MPH

Assistant Professor & Director of Equity, Clinical Research & Leadership

Dr. Maranda C. Ward is an assistant professor at The George Washington University. Her research is translated into practice as the Co-Founder and Executive Director of Promising Futures.

Working as a community educator with program development, evaluation, grant writing and management experiences, her presentations span from urban youth identity and maternal mortality to teaching empathy to health professionals and combating the social conditions that produce structural violence. Mayor Muriel Bowser has appointed her to fill the Ward 8 seat on the DC Commission on Health Equity.

She earned her doctoral degree (EdD) in Curriculum and Instruction from The George Washington University Graduate School of Education and Human Development, her master’s degree (MPH) in Maternal and Child Health from Tulane University School of Public Health, and her bachelor’s degree (BA) in Sociology and Anthropology from Spelman College.

Virtual Forum #1- Live Virtual Town Hall (Panel) at the STIGMA conference

Title:

Breaking Barriers: Empowering Black Women and Girls in Health and Wellness

Summary: The virtual town hall on Black women and girl’s health and prevention aims to address critical health issues while also tackling the stigma surrounding these topics. Experts will provide valuable insights on mental health, reproductive health, sexual health, and access to equitable healthcare services, fostering an open and informative platform for attendees to learn and engage. Participants will have the opportunity to ask questions, gain knowledge, and work towards improving their health outcomes and overall well-being in a supportive and stigma-free environment.

Learning Objectives:

Examine the impact of stigma surrounding health topics.
Explore strategies to address and overcome stigma in healthcare settings.
Describe at least three critical health issues faced by Black women and girls, as discussed by experts during the event.
Develop communication skills to effectively advocate for the health and well-being of ls.

Keynote Speakers:

Stacey-Ann Dyce, MHS

Acting Deputy Chief of Behavioral Health Integration

Center for HIV/STI Integration and Capacity

Prevention and Health Promotion Administration (PHPA)

Infectious Disease Prevention and Health Services Bureau

Maryland Department of Health(MDH)