PARTNER FORUM Featured Partner

The CDC NPIN Featured Partner resource offers HIV/AIDS, viral hepatitis, STD, and TB prevention-focused organizations a platform to showcase their services, programs, and materials. Our goal is to highlight the work of CDC's prevention partners and encourage partners to connect with each other to share information and strategies. Organizations are nominated by CDC or their peers, or are self-nominated. Those selected are featured on the NPIN Web site for the month.

The Alabama A&M University's Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. Gamma Mu Chapter is part of the international Alpha Kappa Alpha service organization, founded in 1908 at Howard University in Washington, DC. It is the oldest Greek-lettered organization established by African-American, college-educated women.

Alpha Kappa Alpha's mission is to cultivate and encourage high scholastic and ethical standards, promote unity and friendship among college women, study and help alleviate problems concerning girls and women to improve their social stature, maintain a progressive interest in college life, and be of “Service to All Mankind.”

Alpha Kappa Alpha's international programs include:

The Gamma Mu Chapter is very active in health initiatives, with a focus on issues that disproportionately affect women.

GYT: Get Yourself Tested

In September 2011, the Gamma Mu Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. organized a GYT health fair as part of its health initiative. They partnered with the Huntsville Health Department to provide free HIV and STD testing for over 350 people. The demand was so great that some students were not able to be tested, so the chapter is hosting GYT2 this month. GYT2 is set for 10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m. on April 11, 2012, at Elmore Gymnasium.

Gamma Mu understands that HIV and STDs heavily affect the southeastern region, especially in the Black community. They plan to test as many people as possible so more sexually active individuals know their status. For this year's GYT2, Gamma Mu is planning more games, prizes, food, vendors, and additional qualified testers to make the lines go faster.

Past giveaways included $5 gift cards to the first 200 people tested, free pizza, and prizes. This year's GYT2 will feature free coffee and smoothies for participants. The first 150 people tested will receive $10 gift cards.

Gamma Mu is publicizing the event on local TV and radio stations, as well as the local paper, the Huntsville Times. They are also using flyers, handbills, and social media to spread the word on campus.

Anna L. Crutchfield, Gamma Mu Health Committee Chair, says “GYT has been a labor of love; I get nothing in return except for the knowledge that I may have educated someone about their status. At the end of the day, when all is said and done, my sisters and I do it not for the glory, but to serve our community and mankind. We thank God every time we get an opportunity to serve, for that is our #1 goal.”

Contact the NPIN Outreach Team for more information on Featured Partner nominations – npinoutreach@cdcnpin.org