AIDS.gov, a program of the Office of HIV/AIDS Policy in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, provides access to Federal HIV programs, policies, and resources through its website (www.AIDS.gov) and new media channels (e.g. blog, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, Flickr). AIDS.gov also plans, implements, and evaluates domestic World AIDS Day and National HIV Testing Day initiatives. In this session, the AIDS.gov team will provide an overview of the tools and strategies that AIDS.gov uses to best reach their diverse audiences. The presentation will also provide a case study of Facing AIDS for World AIDS Day (December 1), an online photo initiative in which diverse audiences across the country shared photos of themselves holding signs stating why they were “Facing AIDS” for World AIDS Day. The initiative’s goals were to help reduce HIV stigma and promote HIV testing.

1. Facing AIDS via Twitter, Widgets, Mobile & More: Government Strategies for Online Engagement (11NTCgovt) Venton C. Jones, Jr. Senior Program Associate for Communication and Member EducationNational Black Gay Men's Advocacy Coalition

2. Session Evaluation Each entry via text or web is a chance to win great NTEN prizes throughout the day! TEXT Text 11NTCgovtto 69866. ONLINE Use 11NTCgovtat http://nten.org/ntc/eval Session Evaluations Powered By:

3. Successes and Lessons Learned through NBGMAC’s New Media Initiative 2011 Non-Profit Technology Conference March 19, 2011 Venton Jones, Senior Program Associate for Communications and Member Education National Black Gay Men’s Advocacy Coalition

4. The National Black Gay Men’s Advocacy Coalition (NBGMAC) was established in 2006 to coalesce Black gay men to address the escalating impact of HIV among this population. NBGMAC’s core purpose is addressing HIV/AIDS and other health disparities that impact the lives of Black gay men. NBGMAC achieves its mission through engagement of federal and state policy makers, public health officials, media and community leaders. Who is NBGMAC

5. Why New Media? Community Perspective on New Media Seeking Funding Lessons Learned Moving Forward Presentation Overview

6. What do these movements have in common? Image source: http://www.ctv.ca/CTVNews/TopStories/20110214/protest-egypt-iran-110214/ http://www.telecommedic.com/blog/wp-admin/images/logos.php?itemid=barack-obama-in-san-francisco http://www.eclecticelectronics.net/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/barack-obama-inauguration-crowd-500x333.jpg http://media.komonews.com/images/110221_Libya_Protests_16.jpg

7. New media strongly influenced community mobilization efforts of these movements! Image source: http://www.journalismproject.ca/en/content_images/Social_Media_BAndwagon.jpg

8. NBGMAC launched an initiative to strengthen communications to its membership and broader constituency of Black gay men to effect community mobilization and involvement. The coalition is focused on optimizing the use of new media to increase the number of Black gay and bisexual men throughout the country who are aware of their HIV status; and become engaged in advocacy efforts throughout the country impacting their lives. New media isused to identify key stakeholders, share timely information on key issues, improve community mobilization, and identifying the needs of Black gay men in local communities. Why New Media?

9. NBGMAC conducted a baseline survey with 100 Black gay men from across the country [at the National AA MSM Leadership Conference in NYC Jan 2011] to address use of information channels. Question; Where do you access your primary source of information for advocacy and policy updates for Black gay men? 59% - E-Mail 56% - Social Networks 39% - Websites Community Perspective On New Media

10. NBGMAC conducted a baseline survey with 100 Black gay men from across the country [at the National AA MSM Leadership Conference in NYC Jan 2011] to address use of information channels. Question; What ways new media is used in your everyday live? 95% - Facebook 69% - Text messaging 41% - Twitter Community Perspective On New Media

11. Did not seek funding for new media initiative. The ultimate goal was impacting community mobilization of Black gay men to increase HIV prevention efforts and advocacy. Funders want to be able to see results from whatever your project is. New media should only be a tool to meet that goal, not your end result. Seeking Funding For New Media

12. New media is a tool, not a end result. Should be used to reach a goal or goals?. New media should complement existing tools (e-mails, newsletters, word of mouth etc.). Look for your leaders throughout communities to “share” messaging and task you want completed. Lessons Learned

13. You can have post content all day, but if you are not getting a specific task accomplished or mobilizing followers or friends to complete a task… What is your point of using new media? Lessons Learned

14. MOVING FORWARD

16. Questions/Comments Contact NBGMAC National Black Gay Men’s Advocacy Coalition 3636 Georgia Ave NW Washington, DC 20011 Phone – 202-455-8441 Website – www.NBGMAC.org Facebook – Facebook.com/NBGMAC Twitter – Twitter.com/NBGMAC