To see the latest annual report of the Communities of Color Faith Initiative, click here.

Thanks to a generous grant from the New York City Council, the National Black Leadership Commission on AIDS (NBLCA) has implemented the Communities of Color Faith Initiative since 2003. The initiative is a model, high-impact, innovative and highly regarded program for HIV prevention and public health intervention targeting communities of African descent in all five boroughs of New York City.

The NBLCA has used this initiative to leverage the reach and comparative strengths of community-based organizations (CBOs), faith institutions and the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene to build the capacity of clergy and other key community stakeholders to implement effective HIV/AIDS prevention, testing, treatment and care programs in our communities.

Under this initiative, the NBLCA provides grants and technical assistance to 66 faith institutions and 28 community-based organizations. Through this initiative, 3,843 New Yorkers were tested for HIV in 2008-2009. Thousands more were reached through HIV prevention education, condom distribution and referrals to treatment and care. The initiative has proven, once again, that collaborative partnerships between houses of worship, health departments and other stakeholders are a powerful and unstoppable force in efforts to with HIV/AIDS.

For a copy of the Communities of Color Annual Report, contact NBLCA at (212) 614-.0023 or info@NBLCA.org