Engaging African Americans in Research

I must say that I was thrilled to take in all of the knowledge about doing clinical trials and studies. What does that mean for me? Well, I need to start trusting the providers of the studies with getting the right information out there to other participants that are scared and afraid of starting a clinical trial. I know that the Tuskegee Study has detrimentally hurt the trusting relationships researchers have with African Americans.

So I must say that sometimes it takes one to know one and that is to say that if I get the opportunity to get into some form of research I will try my best to enroll in the study. Too many lives were lost in the early 80's and 90's to this horrible disease - and I know I need to carry the torch for myself and for my community at large.

I encourage anyone reading this to think about the lives that were lost and the memories that were gained and reflect on that today. Tonight, I saw a very nice and painful documentary on the History of Act-UP!!! (visit the Resources page for more information about the documentaries shown tonight at the Catalyst Forum). My heart goes out to those who gave their time and effort to save me - by advocating for new meds and treatment.

I want to personally say thank you for your arrest, thank you for your screams, banners, and money invested, and for your time - I will never forget the hard work that it takes to get my cries heard. I want to especially encourage black folk to leave the old behind and gain the new to save you because the epidemic is changing and the fight is changing - so put up or shut up and don't allow treatment advances to leave us behind.