Spelman College held its third annual Atlanta University Center “Protect the Culture” Sexual Health Summit on April 8. This collaborative event was organized by the AUC Title IX offices, the Violence Prevention & Intervention (VP&I) Program, the AUCC Student Health & Wellness Center and B Brand. The two-day event entailed a panel discussion and sexual health fairs on each of the AUC campuses. This year, the summit featured a panel discussion on sexual health and violence, with notable panelists including host Christina Granville, social media innovator Kendra G; Darwin Thompson, senior director of public affairs at Gilead Sciences; Drexel Shaw, national patient advocacy manager for CVS Pharmacy; Mario Harper, director at Health Action Alliance; and Kay Best, a Spelman VP&I peer educator. The panel addressed the growing prevalence of situationships over monogamous relationships and emphasized the importance of having conversations about protecting oneself fromSTDs/STIs.
Host Christina Granville, Darwin Thompson, Mario Harper, Drexel Shaw, Kendra G, student Kay Best (From left to right)
“We really just wanted to bring professionals who are aware and knowledgeable about the current sexual climate to educate our students,” said Dr. Jaray Mazique, director of Title IX and Compliance. “By presenting different perspectives on the topic of sexual health, we hope to inform them and encourage the entire AUC community to actively participate in these discussions and take advantage of the resources provided to them for their safety and well-being.”
The discussion emphasized sexual wellbeing, proper messaging, and care structures. Panelists noted the normalization of avoiding sexual health discussions and reluctance to seek STD prevention resources. Shaw recommended HIV-prep for facilitating pre-sex conversations, while Harper highlighted empathy and honesty about sexual health. Best addressed increased stalking and sexual assault during the "red zone" when students move on campus, working with Title IX to promote healthy relationships and sexual assault prevention. The panel also stressed the importance of consent and discussed CVS-led student initiatives at HBCUs to engage students in HIV and sexual health conversations. Collaboration between community organizations and school initiatives was deemed crucial for addressing sexual health and wellbeing.
Jaray Mazique, India Ward, and student intern Kelsie Tillage at Morris Brown College (From left to right)
The summit was one of several events scheduled through April, which is National Sexual Assault Awareness Month. On April 16, the VP& I Program held the AUC Unity Walk and the "Take Back the Night." This national initiative allowed survivors to share their stories, raising awareness about sexual violence and educated the community on how to report and intervene. The walk started at Morris Brown College, through Clark Atlanta University and Morehouse College, and concluded at Spelman, symbolizing the unity and strength of the AUC community.
Paula Dobbs, India Ward and Jaray Mazique at Morehouse College (From left to right)
“We want to engage with more people. By engaging more people, you aim to reduce the risk of sexual violence through increased awareness, knowledge and education,” said Dr. Mazique. “Letting people know about available resources and where they can go for help is crucial in this effort.”
Another event is Denim Day, which will be held on April 30 and will take on a new, interactive twist with a "Sip and Paint" event. Participants will create canvases using their denim products, highlighting the significance of Denim Day in a creative and engaging manner. Interactive tabling with campus partners will further enhance the experience, encouraging students and staff to engage in meaningful conversations about sexual violence prevention.
Kristin Couch and India Ward at Take Back the Night Event
Dr. Mazique reflected on the evolution of Denim Day at Spelman, noting that each year, her office’s goal is to foster deeper engagement and dialogue between students and staff. Spelman community members are encouraged to pick up a Denim Day shirt to show their support and help raise awareness around sexual violence and victim blaming.
The work goes beyond the month and students often ask how they can get involved. VP&I Peer Educator applications are open until April 30 and students can volunteer for service hours year-round by using the GivePulse SpelmanGives app through the Bonner Office.
While the Title IX office aims to prevent all incidents, they recognize that reports will occur. They have established effective policies and procedures to respond. The office also maintains a pool of trained faculty and staff to adjudicate cases and advise those involved, ensuring a fair and supportive process. Through these initiatives, the Title IX office promotes sexual health and safety, demonstrating a steadfast commitment to protecting and empowering the community.
“The more we educate our community, the more we are invested in protecting our culture, and how we can use our resources,” said Dr. Mazique. “We all wanted to work at Spelman, and we have our own goals for our respective roles, but I hope the common denominator is making sure we create a safe and inclusive space for our community members and students.”
For more information about the Title IX office and team, please visit, spelman.edu/titleix.