Young men at The College of The Bahamas (COB) were engaged in a frank and honest conversation about HIV/AIDS as the collegiate chapter of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Inc. launched the series “Conversation Among Brothers”.
The community-based program is one of the fraternity’s international programs designed to raise awareness regarding HIV/AIDS and targets college men on college campuses. It is designed to encourage ongoing peer-to-peer discussions about HIV/AIDS. The conversation was held in the Harry C. Moore Library.
The Beta Beta Lamba Chapter of Phi Beta Sigma organized and hosted the event in response to alarming UNAIDS report that shows newly diagnosed HIV/AIDS infections are generally on the down slide in The Bahamas except in the 15 to 24 age group, which experienced a 30 percent increase in newly diagnosed HIV infections (35 in 2006, compared to 50 in 2012). The same report pointed out that many late testers were male.
“These are startling statistics especially in relation to young men,” said Beta Beta Lambda president Javon Rolle. “Phi Beta Sigma has taken a proactive approach to have this conversation with brothers in an effort to not only raise awareness and increase testing but also save the next generation of young men.”
HIV/AIDS advocacy expert Keith Kemp led the discussion on safe sex, the importance of condoms and the stigma surrounding HIV/AIDS.
“The young men said they had a real eye-opening experience,” Rolle said. “Some said they were ready to start testing as soon as the next day.”
The seminar was made possible through a PEPFAR grant from the United States (U.S.) Embassy in New Providence. The U.S. President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) is the U.S. government initiative to help save the lives of those suffering from or at risk of exposure to HIV/AIDS around the world.
Graduate advisor for the collegiate chapter Christopher Saunders said the program is important especially in the collegiate community.
“It’s clear that young men need to be targeted when it comes to HIV testing worldwide and especially here in The Bahamas when you look at the statistics,” said Saunders. “This chapter decided to get out there and target young men who are disproportionately impacted by the scourge of HIV/AIDS. They decided to be a part of the solution to save the next generation of young men.”
Many of the young men in the crowd walked away with a new found level of insight and advocacy.
COB freshman Kenton Hepburn found the seminar informative.
“I liked the way the speaker brought in real life scenarios and used real life humor,” he said.
Senior accounting major Carlton Knowles said the seminar made an impact on him.
“I felt that it not only explained life lessons when it comes to HIV and AIDS but safe sex on the whole,” he said. “It was enlightening and scary to learn that for some people sex is becoming transactional. I think we need to continue having this type of conversation with young men.”
COB freshman Aaron Davis said he learned things like the exposure time of HIV and how long it takes to show up in a test; he also learned to ask a sexual partner to be tested before sex.
The Beta Beta Lambda chapter was the first black Greek lettered organization chartered on the campus of COB and recently celebrated 10 years of existence. The chapter was chartered November 5, 2004.
The Beta Beta Lambda chapter of Phi Beta Sigma hosted its “Conversation Among Brothers”, an initiative designed
to increase awareness of HIV/AIDS. (Photo: Aaron Davis)
Young men participated in the Phi Beta Sigma initiative on HIV/AIDS education
(Photo: Tariq Cartwright)
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