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TOP TIPS FOR DEVELOPING RESILIENT HIV/AIDS LEADERS OF COLOR 1. Develop Self Esteem & Purpose • Equip leaders with a series of new skills and knowledge.

• Work with leaders to understand the strengths they already possess and how those strengths can be used to overcome challenges.

• Acknowledge that individuals can be experts in a particular area simply based off their identity and lived experiences.

• Empower leaders to make decisions that impact their own wellbeing and the wellbeing of their communities.

• Value the expertise and contributions of leaders through intrinsic and extrinsic rewards.

2. Address Real & Immediate Needs • How does your agency make it difficult to learn about, obtain, and/or maintain leadership positions?

• What social, geographic or economic factors can impact people of color from engaging your agency?

• Does your agency have an accurate understanding of how communities of color view your agency and how your programs or services could be more culturally grounded and supportive?

3. Offer Inclusive Program Design & Implementation.

• Value the leadership of individuals of color requires doing so at all levels.

• Take the necessary steps to honor the voices and experiences of people of color will help ensure your programs and services connect with those you most want to service.

• Are individuals of color involved in brainstorming solutions to the challenges faced by clients of color?

• Once programs and services are determined, are individuals of color involved in determining marketing and outreach approaches?

• Are leaders of color involved in the evaluation of programs and services?

4. Build Positive Bonds With The Entire Community.

• Developing leaders of color requires acknowledging the intersection of our identities.

• It is important to build a positive relationship with these diverse communities so an individual does not feel forced to choose between two or more communities they are apart of.

• What approaches can you take to develop leaders of color that represent different sexual orientations and genders?

• What type of partnerships can you build with faith communities of color?

• How can you incorporate intergenerational learning among your leaders?

5. Cultivate Safe and Supportive Relationships.

• Building a trusting and supportive relationship takes time and requires creating a judgment free space for individuals to express their concerns, fears, and frustrations.

• It requires honoring the voices and experiences of people of color not only by listening, but also by responding in a meaningful way.

• It requires valuing the relationship not just because the individual is a person of color, but also because the individual brings unique perspectives and experiences to the table.

Source: Yarbrough, Corey; Executive Director.

Hispanic Black Gay Coalition. May 2015.