The Youth Initiative provides unique leadership and learning opportunities through online webinars, peer-to-peer networking, and advocacy training. Youth Scholars will also have the opportunity to be paired with a mentor to support their success throughout the program and will be able to attend a special training session at the U.S. Conference on AIDS (USCA) in Orlando, FL, in September.
“NMAC is committed to building the new generation of leaders for the HIV movement,” said Paul Kawata, NMAC’s Executive Director. “The Youth Initiative identifies and trains 30 young scholars each year to engage in their local communities and work to address the epidemic and advocate for local people living with and impacted by HIV locally. That is how we make lasting and positive change: by engaging on the local level all across the country.”
“Young people are not only the next wave of leaders in the HIV movement, but are essential leaders today,” said Marc Meachem, Head of External Affairs at ViiV Healthcare. “The Youth Initiative helps young leaders sharpen their tools, learn from one another, and be supported as they take on bold new projects and roles in the fight against HIV. We are proud to support the Youth Initiative for the eighth year as young people continue to push the movement forward.”
“We’ve seen in recent weeks what energized activist youth can accomplish,” said Linda Scruggs, Director of NMAC’s Leadership Pipeline program, which operates the Youth Initiative. “The Youth Initiative taps engages up-and-coming leaders in the HIV movement and empowers them to take the reins as long-term leaders begin to step away from the field. We want to ensure that the next generation of HIV leaders has the tools they need to succeed.”
The Youth Initiative is supported by ViiV Healthcare, the Magic Johnson Foundation, and Advocates for Youth.
