N.C. A&T to Host World AIDS Day Virtual Town Hall on Dec. 1

EAST GREENSBORO, N.C. (Nov. 23, 2021) – North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University will host a virtual town hall, “Ending the HIV Epidemic: Equitable Access, Everyone’s Voice,” in observance of World AIDS Day on Wednesday, Dec. 1, from noon to 1 p.m.

The free, public event will feature five panelists:

• Schenita Davis Randolph, Ph.D., associate professor at Duke University School of Nursing
• Emmy Award-winning AIDS activist and best-selling author Marvelyn Brown
• Alysse Wurcel, M.D., attending physician in the Division of Infectious Diseases and Geographic Medicine at Tufts Medical Center and assistant professor of medicine at Tufts University School of Medicine
• Author and actor Julian J. Walker, known for his roles in the film “Blackbird,” Bounce TV’s “Saints & Sinners” and BET’s hit series “Being Mary Jane”
• Sharon Parker, Ph.D., associate professor in the Joint Programs of Social Work at North Carolina A&T and the University of North Carolina-Greensboro

A question-and-answer session will follow brief presentations by each panelist.

“The rates of HIV in the Southern region of the United States account for more than half the HIV infections. African Americans are disproportionately impacted by HIV,” said Parker, a health disparities researcher who examines the structural, social, behavioral and biological factors influencing the transmission of infectious diseases with a primary focus on HIV among Black and other vulnerable populations.

Having studied the interconnectedness of HIV, concurrent sexual relationships, substance abuse, intimate partner violence, and gender inequality among those involved in the criminal justice system and other high-risk populations, Parker said the town hall will highlight the progress that has been made against the spread of HIV and AIDS, as well was the role everyone plays in prevention.

“Ending the HIV epidemic requires us to recognize and address the health inequities and systemic challenges that block marginalized groups from equal access to services,” she said. “We are committed reducing new HIV infections through education, prevention, and treatment – that’s what Aggies Do.”

Use this link to participate in the Dec. 1 event.

For more information, email Parker at sdparke3@ncat.edu.