ABSTRACT
My goal in pursuing a Mentored Research Career Development Award is to gain the necessary training,
knowledge, and practical experience needed to become an independent investigator focused on improving
access to and utilization of PrEP among Black men who have sex with men (BSMM) through social, peer-
based intervention research. To continue my progress towards my career goals, I propose to conduct an
intervention focused on increasing PrEP acceptability through developing and maintaining peer support and
resilience to intersectional racism and homophobia among BSMM in Prince George’s County, MD. Despite a
clear, well-documented need for greater uptake of PrEP among BSMM in this county, PrEP uptake among
BSMM in this setting remains low, and extant literature specific to PrEP use in this setting and population is
extremely limited. To address this need, I propose the following: Specific Aims: 1) Understand peer-peer
interactions/exchanges and HIV prevention communications among BSMM through ethnographic qualitative
observations (participant and direct) of two ongoing MPowerment models, 2) conduct qualitative in depth
interviews to inform designing an intervention to reduce internalized racism, internalized homophobia and
increase PrEP initiation among BSMM in PG County, and 3) pilot test a community-based intervention (130
participants) to reduce internalized racism, internalized homophobia, and HIV stigma and increase social
support and PrEP initiation among BSMM in PG County, based on the MPowerment model.
In addition to my specific aims, my Specific Career Development Aims are the following: 1) To
develop expertise in the analysis of qualitative data, particularly related to social and structural factors, 2) to
develop expertise in the collection and analysis of network data collected via respondent driven sampling, 3) to
gain experience in the design, conduct, and evaluation of interventions and 4) to develop research
management and professional development skills needed to lead future independent research projects. The
knowledge and experience gained from the proposed research will provide me the skillset necessary to
successfully compete for R01 funding to conduct a larger scale peer-focused intervention to promote PrEP
acceptability and adherence among BSMM. The proposal makes significant contributions to the field in several
ways, including 1) identifying barriers to PrEP acceptability among BSMM in Prince George’s County, 2)
Qualitatively understand factors that may impact observed quantitative associations between barriers and
PrEP use and acceptability, and 3) developing and evaluating an MPowerment intervention to improve PrEP
use and acceptability in this population. My rigorous education, training, and research experience in social
determinants of HIV/STI risk, collaborations with BSMM populations and organizations, proficiency with
quantitative data analysis, and the expertise of my multidisciplinary research team, uniquely prepares me to
conduct the proposed research and significantly contribute to HIV prevention science.
