This Mason public health student wants you to know about National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day

Kayla Moore sees testing for sexually transmitted diseases as a key part of public health, and the doorway to a healthy community.

Moore is currently getting her master of social work at George Mason University’s College of Public Health, and in recognition of the 25th anniversary of National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, has organized a two-part event at Mason’s Fairfax Campus that speaks to public health.

“A lot of people don't realize that HIV and AIDS is still prevalent, or that you can live a fulfilled life even with a positive status,” said Moore, an ARIE graduate assistant at Student Health Services, which provides free STD and STI testing. 

Moore reached out to her ARIE Supervisor Megan Symanowitz and internship advisor Juton Myers about hosting an event. Moore, along with Myers, plans and participates in events that represent the QTBIPOC branch of the LBGTQ+ community.

“My background is in advocacy and advocating for marginalized communities,” said Moore, who previously worked in criminal justice. “That's my bread and butter, and where my appreciation of clinical social work comes from. The DMV has very high transmissions of HIV, and Black women are affected by it the most.”  

Moore’s experience in criminal justice taught her that she really cared about the clients, but wanted to focus more on trying to get them services that they need, she said.  

“It's challenging being a Black woman in public health or clinical social work because there's not a lot of us, but the ones that are here are doing some big things,” she said. 

Moore worked with campus partners including the Center for Culture, Equity, and Empowerment (CCEE) and the LGBTQ+ Resource Center, as well as with the community health organization NovaSalud, to create the two-part event. On Wednesday, February 7, a discussion and exchange of information will take place in the Paul Robeson Room in the Johnson Center to go along with this year’s theme, "Engage, Educate, Empower: Uniting to End HIV/AIDS in Black Community,” as well as STI/HIV testing in Student Health Services.  

The discussion will be led by Stephanie Funkhouser, a health and well-being promotion coordinator from Student Health Services, and Global and Community Health (GCH) and School of Integrative Studies professor Garey Davis. 

“Students often don't have a lot of money, or they don’t want their tests to show up on their parents’ insurance,” Moore said. “There is also this stigma attached to getting tested, so offering free testing to college students makes it easier for them to be informed and have peace of mind. People knowing their status is doing a service for the whole community.” 

Moore is also working with the LGBTQ+ Resource Center on a community block party that will encompass a large clothing swap, food, music, and health workshops.