HRC Foundation announced it is launching an intensive, capacity-building fellowship program for young leaders at the front lines of the fight to end the spread and stigma of HIV.

HRC’s HIV 360° Fellowship program, which is made possible by the tremendous support of the Elton John AIDS Foundation, will provide training and support for innovative young professionals and nonprofit leaders as they tackle the challenges facing communities hit hardest by HIV, including Black and Latino gay and bisexual men, transgender women of color, and LGBT people living in the South.

“We all must act with renewed urgency to combat this epidemic and invest in emerging leaders on the frontlines of the most impacted communities,” said Mary Beth Maxwell, HRC senior vice president for programs, research and training. “Young leaders bring with them the creativity, passion, and ingenuity that is necessary to help the most underserved and vulnerable communities. This program will help support these advocates critical to ending the HIV epidemic. ”

The fellows’ experience will also include training and coaching in communications, grant writing, fundraising, and other aspects of successful nonprofit management — all focused on strengthening their own community organizations.

“The Elton John AIDS Foundation is proud to support the HRC Foundation’s HIV 360° Fellowship Program,” said Scott Campbell, executive director of the Elton John AIDS Foundation.  “In order to keep up the pace of the global effort to end AIDS, we must continue to train and mentor young activists and emerging leaders from a variety of fields including LGBT rights, racial and economic inequality, substance abuse, and poverty and homelessness.”

“This fellowship will ensure that the next generation of leaders is provided with resources and mentorship opportunities that will help them not only succeed, but deeply impact the way their communities combat HIV,” said Marvell Terry II, HRC’s HIV project manager, who founded his own community-based organization in Memphis, TN, seven years ago.

“I applaud HRC and EJAF in helping to swell the ranks of community-based leadership. To make progress in our nation’s persistent racial and ethnic disparities in HIV diagnoses, we need to invest in the leaders of tomorrow,” said Gregorio Millett, M.P.H., vice president and director of public policy at amfAR, the Foundation for AIDS Research.

“We need an investment in emerging leaders, an investment that not only creates opportunity for young leaders — but brings opportunity for them to truly shape the response to HIV across the field.  It is clear that the HRCF HIV 360° Fellowship Program is not only addressing that need — but positioned to make real impact. We are so grateful for this effort being undertaken by HRC and EJAF,” said Michael Kaplan, president and chief executive officer of AIDS United.

Since its founding, HRC has worked to end the HIV epidemic through federal, state and local advocacy for research, treatment and strengthening the public health safety net.  By sharing the stories of people living with and affected by HIV with more than 9 million people, HRC has been able to mobilize its members and supporters in support of HIV prevention and treatment efforts. HRC has also been a leader in raising awareness about the benefits of Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) in some of the hardest hit communities across the nation. Beyond that, in partnership with the National LGBT Health Education Center, HRC trained 500 doctors and health care providers throughout the Deep South on the importance of providing LGBTQ-friendly and HIV-inclusive care.

For more information, and to nominate someone for the HIV 360° Fellowship Program, please visit: www.hrc.org/hiv360. The program application will open Feb. 1.

Since 1992, the Elton John AIDS Foundation has raised more than $349 million to combat stigma, prevent infections, provide treatment and services, and motivate governments to end AIDS. The Foundation funds evidence-based programs and policies and speaks out with honesty and compassion about the realities of people’s lives. Please visit www.ejaf.org to learn more about the Foundation and its programs.