Black Brothers Esteem
Because African American gay, bisexual, and same gender-loving men are at a disproportionately high risk for HIV infection, the San Francisco AIDS Foundation offers Black Brothers Esteem, a prevention and support program designed to empower men who predominantly live in the Tenderloin/Polk Gulch and Sixth Street Corridor sections of San Francisco. These men struggle not only with issues related to HIV, but also with racism, addiction, poverty, homophobia, violence, and marginal housing conditions.
Facilitated by AIDS Foundation staff, Black Brothers Esteem core group members design activities and events to provide a place for African American gay, bisexual, and same gender-loving men to gather and gain support from one another. The goal of the program is to provide education, skills building, and enhanced social connection in order to diminish sexual risk-taking.
Program components include:
- A weekly on-going drop-in group--Phoenix Rising--for HIV-negative and HIV-positive men that addresses the emotional impact of HIV as well as recovery issues. Men in the drop-in group set their own agenda and provide peer support for the challenges they are currently facing.
- Multiple-session workshops, tackling issues such as safer sex negotiation, behavior change, and improving health and quality of life.
- Social events to promote and foster community building.
- Leadership training to further develop the men's strengths and skills.
- Community development projects for men who wish to have a greater impact on improving their local community. These include a peer health advocate program, volunteering for community service, creating health outreach messages, and performing outreach at public events. Participants report that involvement in these projects enhances their sense of belonging to various larger communities.
The Home Sweet Home, Strong and Healthy and Spiritually Healthy brochures were developed by BBE members as guides to housing, health and spirituality resources for low-income African American men in San Francisco. These are excellent examples of community development projects that benefit both the larger community and BBE participants directly.
Call the BBE Events Line 487-8018 or email bbe@sfaf.org for more information.
Ongoing Activities
Phoenix Rising drop-in group
Wednesdays, 4-6pm
Colors of Recovery support group, contact Raven Mahosadha for more information rmahosadha@sfaf.org, 487-3091.
Game Night and Movie Night June 6th from 4pm-9pm
Junteenth Celebration June 14th 6-pm-9pm at the LGBT Center on Market Street
San Francisco Gay Pride June 29th
Soul Food: Connecting The Body, Mind, and Soul ( An exhibit of photography by members of BBE on display at the San Francisco Main Library June 10th-August 7th, 2008)
Page last updated: 7/29/2008