Worlds AIDS Day at CDU Brings Awareness to Community

Group photo during the World's AIDS Day event on campus

CDU observed World AIDS Day 2023 with two celebratory events held on campus.

The first event held on December 1, the official World AIDS day, was hosted by the Drew Center for AIDS Research, Education, and Services (Drew CARES).

This marked their 3rd student-run World AIDS Day event and featured resource tables, rapid HIV testing, a paint station, and games.

“Today is a day to spread awareness about how far we’ve come with HIV and also remember those that we’ve lost along the way,” said Shelby Brown, Drew CARES Program Manager. “Having these events on campus spreads awareness about HIV and what we do on CDU’s campus.”

Drew CARES is a diverse, multidisciplinary group of Los Angeles-area educators, researchers, and clinical providers who are working to end the HIV epidemic.

The program represents CDU’s groundbreaking activities in HIV.

The resources shared throughout the event offered insight into the history of HIV/AIDS worldwide, some of the misconceptions held by others, and the treatments now available that can help people with HIV live long, healthy lives.

A separate event, “2023 World AIDS Day 35th Anniversary Commemorative Event,” was held on December 6 on campus that was hosted by LA County Supervisorial District 2, the Los Angeles County Commission on HIV Black Caucus, Charles R. Drew University, and Drew CARES.

The poignant and inspiring occasion provided an… opportunity for guests to reflect on the progress made, honor the resilience of our black community, and look toward a future where HIV is no longer a barrier to health and equality.

“This is a social justice issue, it will take policy change and programs addressing dismantling racism, discrimination, stigma, social economic and housing inequities,” said Dr. LaShonda Spencer, Director, Drew CARES. “We know that we can do this together, it will take a village, but it’s going to be this village in this room that’s going to end the epidemic.”

There was a Community Resource Fair following the program which offered complimentary lunch, free HIV testing services, free haircuts and braiding services, wellness swag bags, raffle prizes, and access to local community resources.