Introducing Beyond the Sheets
We’re proud to announce the launch of Beyond the Sheets!
This new, student-led initiative will address the sexual and reproductive health needs of students at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).
Beyond the Sheets launched on December 1, 2023, to coincide with World AIDS Day, an international day dedicated to raising awareness of the HIV/AIDS epidemic and honoring those who have died. The vast majority of HBCUs are located in the South, the region which accounts for more than half of all new HIV diagnoses in the United States. Southern states also often have stringent laws limiting access to sex education, birth control, and abortion. HBCU students’ success is greatly impacted by the lack of high-quality information about and access to sexual health care that can result from these laws.
We are thrilled to welcome the following HBCU student ambassadors and reproductive well-being champions that will lead this movement.
- Andre Poyser and Kaila Coleman of Fayetteville State University
- Nayla McClure and Rokiyah Hobbs of Tougaloo College
- Haileigh Trainer and Wischell Joseph of Tuskegee University
- Jackeima Flemming and Kurvonte Richards-Willett of the University of the Virgin Islands
- Jalah Bates and Mya Bledsoe of Xavier University of Louisiana
To support HBCU students’ success, our ambassadors will focus on two key activities. First, they will share valuable sexual health information and implement on-the-ground activation efforts. Second, they’ll boost social media engagement related to sexual health and reproductive well-being.
To learn about each of our ambassadors and the work they are doing, visit our Campus Sexual Health webpage.