THURS-055 - "Pleasure Principal: Black Women, Sex, and HIV Prevention"

Brief Abstract Summary: This workshop, led by Dr. Sharita Ambrose and La’Toya Swan, delves into the intersection of Black women’s sexual pleasure and HIV prevention, focusing on culturally relevant, sex-positive approaches. Often, Black women encounter negative stereotypes and biases that impact their sexual health and restrict access to HIV prevention resources like PrEP. By exploring the historical context and phases of sexual development ("Girl," "Grown," "Woman"), the session underscores how pleasure-focused strategies can reshape HIV prevention.

Participants will learn about the Allure Alliance's initiatives, such as KISS & Tell and Brunch & Learn, designed to create supportive, informative spaces for Black women. Through group discussions and guided brainstorming, attendees will explore practical solutions for promoting health equity and actionable ways to integrate pleasure into HIV prevention. This workshop fosters inclusive, community-driven health advocacy.

Detailed abstract description: Attendees will walk away from this session empowered with a fresh perspective on HIV prevention that goes beyond traditional approaches. In this workshop, you’ll discover how integrating sexual pleasure and culturally relevant, sex-positive strategies can make a real difference in HIV prevention efforts for Black women. We’ll provide tools and insights that can reshape how you think about sexual health, focusing on empowering Black women to lead healthier, more fulfilling lives.

Expect to dive deep into the historical and social contexts that impact Black women’s sexual health. By examining stages of sexual development — from “Girl” to “Grown” to “Woman” — we’ll unpack how cultural messages and biases have shaped Black women’s experiences, creating unique challenges and opportunities in HIV prevention. This context will allow you to see the bigger picture of sexual health disparities and equip you to advocate for interventions that truly resonate with the communities you serve.

One highlight of the session is learning about real-world initiatives from the Allure Alliance, like the KISS & Tell and Brunch & Learn programs. These programs have shown how community-driven, culturally sensitive approaches can create impactful change. You’ll gain insights into how these initiatives foster spaces for Black women to learn, connect, and feel supported in their health journeys. You’ll leave with actionable ideas for bringing these methods to your own work or community, from structured group discussions to sustainable, community-based interventions.

Through interactive small-group sessions and brainstorming activities, you’ll actively engage with other attendees to uncover practical solutions and explore the challenges of implementing a pleasure-focused HIV prevention framework. We’ll guide you in designing strategies to overcome these challenges, using feedback and collaboration to strengthen your understanding of how sexual health and pleasure can work together to promote equity.

Ultimately, this session offers the opportunity to deepen your knowledge of HIV prevention while building a toolkit of culturally relevant practices that support Black women’s health and empowerment. Whether you’re a health professional, educator, community advocate, or someone passionate about health equity, you’ll find valuable insights and strategies that can transform your approach to sexual health. Join us to learn how you can champion pleasure-focused, inclusive, and impactful HIV prevention in your community.