Akron Aids Collaborative

In the Akron Brother Circle (ABC) restructured and became the Akron AIDS Collaborative, since there was a need to broaden services and increase advocacy efforts to support a growing increase in the newly diagnosed cases for both men and women of color. The ABC then became a program of its parent organization, the Akron AIDS Collaborative. The mission of the Akron AIDS Collaborative is to broaden the network of caring organizations in the minority community; to influence social norms that contribute to the prevention of HIV/AIDS; and to increase advocacy for social services for people of color who are living with HIV/AIDS, as well as people who have suffered from sexual orientation stigma within the African American community. On January 17, 2022, the Akron AIDS Collaborative opened the Bayard Rustin LGBTQ+ Resource Center, in the West Hill neighborhood of Akron, Ohio, as a safe space for Black LGBTQ+ youth to hang out, and find services tailored to their experience, while also welcoming people of all other races.