CLV Podcast

Redefining Youth Education: Brave Conversations and Empowerment

Can a fashion show help save lives?

What do ballroom culture, high fashion, and HIV prevention have in common? More than you might think.

In this episode of A Healthier Tomorrow, hosts Will Rucker and Ciara Owens sit down with Kiande Jakada and Juan Tejada from The LGBTQ Center of Southern Nevada to explore how they're breaking stigma, reaching young people, and changing the conversation around HIV prevention through bold, community-led initiatives.

From Condom Couture—a runway show where every design is made from condoms—to Las Vegas' growing ballroom scene, you'll discover how creativity is becoming one of the most powerful tools in public health.

About the Guests:

Kiande Jakada is an esteemed HIV health educator with the LGBTQ center of Las Vegas. With a passion for community health and advocacy, Kiande focuses on providing critical education on HIV awareness and prevention, actively engaging with diverse groups to promote informed, safer sex practices.

Juan Tejada is a Prep Navigator at the LGBTQ center of Las Vegas, specializing in HIV prevention and education on sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Originally from New York, Juan brings his extensive experience in youth development and community empowerment to extend awareness and access to necessary health resources in Las Vegas.

Episode Summary:

Welcome to another invigorating episode of "A Healthier Tomorrow," hosted by Will Rucker. This episode, featuring Kiande Jakada and Juan Tejadafrom the LGBTQ center of Las Vegas, delves into the innovative and community-focused approaches for promoting HIV awareness and prevention. As you listen, you'll discover their vibrant initiatives, including the unique Condom Couture fashion show and the first-ever ballroom event hosted by the center, designed to unite and empower marginalized communities while encouraging informed sexual health practices.

In today's conversation, Kiande and Juan lead us through the motivating factors behind their creative events aimed at increasing community engagement and education on HIV prevention. Condom Couture offers a vibrant display of art and safety intertwined, with designers crafting outfits from condoms to spark conversations about safer sex. Meanwhile, the Secret Garden Kiki Ball marks a significant step in fostering ballroom culture in Las Vegas, targeting young individuals and emphasizing the importance of safe and informed sexual behaviors. Both events underline the urgent need for increased access to preventive medications like PREP, particularly within Black and Latino communities.

Key Takeaways:

  • Condom Couture and Education: The Condom Couture fashion show combines artistic expression with vital sexual health education, as designers create striking fashion pieces from condoms, serving as a platform for raising HIV awareness in a fun, engaging manner.
  • Launching Ballroom Culture in Las Vegas: Initiatives like the Secret Garden Kiki Ball aim to establish a vibrant ballroom scene in Las Vegas, fostering community ties and providing a space for expression and recognition for youth from marginalized backgrounds.
  • Importance of PREP: Emphasizing the availability and benefits of PREP (pre-exposure prophylaxis), the episode underlines it as a critical tool in preventing HIV transmission, particularly in communities of color where access and usage remain low.
  • Community Engagement and Support: Both Kiande and Juan highlight the center's extensive efforts in providing continuous community support through educational programs and HIV support groups.
  • Brave vs. Safe Spaces: Juan elaborates on the notion of "brave spaces" where individuals are encouraged to engage in challenging dialogues that can lead to empowerment and growth alongside traditional "safe spaces."

Notable Quotes:

  1. "Own it, live it, be it. Be your authentic self. Live your authentic life. Bring all of you to the table and do not be ashamed for who you are." - Kiande Jakada
  2. "For me, safe space is somewhere you could be comfortable, but brave spaces empower through uncomfortable conversations." - Juan Tejada
  3. "As far as HIV numbers and HIV acquisition, those numbers are not going down when it comes to youth, those numbers are actually rising." - Kiande Jakada

Resources:

Tune into this insightful episode of "A Healthier Tomorrow" and immerse yourself in the dynamic ways the LGBTQ center of Las Vegas is transforming community health initiatives. Stay connected with us for more enlightening discussions and vital resources to empower and inform our community. Remember, each of us contributes to the ocean of humanity, but as a drop, we make waves of impact.