Noted author and radio and television psychologist Ana Nogales, Ph.D., is the keynote speaker of the event
LOS ANGELES -- Charles Drew University of Medicine and Science will hold its second “Breaking the Silence” community conference on Saturday, November 6. The conferences’ full title is “Breaking the Silence: Black and Latina Women Finding Ways to Take Care of Ourselves while Building Healthy Relationships with Men.”
The free wellness-oriented event for African-American and Latina women will run from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and is co-sponsored by PALS for Health, the Los Angeles AIDS Coordinator’s office, and the Pacific AIDS Education and Training Center. Lunch and childcare provided at no cost to attendees.
Last year more than 200 women participated in the day-long health conference, which includes workshops and panel discussions on sex, drug use, self esteem, and how culture and gender influence choices regarding a sexual relationships and health. Conference organizers expect about 300 people to participate in this year’s event. A special youth track will focus on high school and college aged young people and discuss, the role of hip hop in women’s perceptions of themselves and how young people can support one another in staying safe.
“The goal of this conference is to address the ways in which power and self esteem affect some of the choices women make regarding their own health,” said Dr. Nina Harawa, Assistant Professor at
Charles Drew University, Department of Research. “This may affect who they have sex with, whether or not they choose to use protection, and if they become infected with sexually transmitted diseases.”
Noted author and radio and television psychologist Ana Nogales, Ph.D., is the keynote speaker. The clinical psychologist, who has authored five books -- including Parents Who Cheat; Latina Power!; and the Latina Power Workbook: Using Your 7 Strengths to Say No to Abusive Relationship -- will speak about infidelity among other issues.
The event will conclude with the interactive and highly acclaimed theatrical performance, “What Goes Around” by Kaiser Permanente Educational Theatre. “What Goes Around” uses drama and 21st century technology to show how easily sexually transmitted diseases can spread among young people.
Gift bags, free testing services (for HIV, chlamydia, blood pressure, gonorrhea, and glucose), and raffle prizes available to participants.
Other speakers include:
- Octavio Vallejo, M.D., MPH, a longtime AIDS educator and organizer, who will discuss HIV risk among Latina women.
- Dawn-Elissa Fischer, Ph.D., (a.k.a. the “D.E.F.” Professor), an Assistant Professor of Africana Studies at San Francisco State University and noted pundit on black popular culture, who will discuss the images of women of color in hip-hop.
- Andres Sciolla, MD, a psychiatrist and Associate Professor at the University of San Diego who will discuss sociocultural Influences on Black and Latinos regarding sex and sexuality.
- Keisha C. Paxton, Ph.D., an associate professor of psychology at California State University, Dominguez Hills, whose community leadership roles address sexual risk behavior and depression among African-American adolescents and young adults, will discuss young women supporting each other in staying healthy.
Space is limited. Please call 323-357-3400 to register for Breaking the Silence, Saturday November 6th, 2010 or you can register online at www.breakingthesilenceevent.com.
Register in Spanish at 323-563-5811. Most conference sessions will be bi-lingual.
Information about Dr. Harawa’s various research projects can also be found at www.breakingthesilenceevent.com/studyinfo.overy, wellness and independence
