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Unclutch Your Pearls

TRAINING INQUIRY REQUEST

The Unclutch Your Pearls trainings, offered through the HER Multimedia Lab, are transformative, culturally tailored programs that address sexual health, wellness, and health equity for older adults. Designed for emerging clinicians, practicing healthcare professionals, and community members, these trainings combine multimedia storytelling, interactive group activities, and health communication films to create an engaging and immersive learning experience. By challenging biases and promoting inclusive practices, Unclutch Your Pearls fosters meaningful dialogue and equips participants with the tools to address health disparities and advocate for better sexual health outcomes across diverse communities.

01
Training for

Emerging Clinicians

Target Audience

Medical, nursing, public health, and social work students, or early-career health professionals.

Description

This engaging training is tailored for emerging clinicians to address not only the sexual health needs of older adults but also the significant health disparities that affect them, particularly those living with HIV. By using interactive group activities and health communication films, participants will actively challenge biases and gain a deeper understanding of the social determinants of health. The use of real-life scenarios and films provides an immersive experience that sets this training apart from traditional approaches, encouraging empathy, compassionate care, and cultural humility. Clinicians will leave with practical strategies for providing inclusive care and combating ageism in clinical settings.

Key Focus Areas
  • Understanding health disparities affecting older adults.
  • Breaking down biases about aging, sexuality, and HIV.
  • Engaging with health communication films and group activities for hands-on learning.
  • Practical communication strategies for emerging clinicians.
  • May include introduction to brief sexual history assessment (optional).
02
Training for

Practicing Clinicians

Target Audience

Experienced healthcare providers, including doctors, nurses, and therapists already in practice.

Description

This transformative training offers practicing clinicians an opportunity to address advanced issues related to sexual health and health disparities among older adults. Using health communication films, interactive group activities, and case studies, the training explores how systemic inequities impact aging populations, particularly those with HIV. Participants will develop strategies to improve clinical care through innovative, hands-on learning experiences that foster reflection and collaboration. The integration of real-world examples and dynamic discussions makes this training unlike traditional in-services and continuing education, as it promotes both skill development and advocacy for equitable care.

Key Focus Areas
  • Tackling health disparities in HIV and aging.
  • Advanced strategies for inclusive, stigma-free care.
  • Engaging group activities and health communication films for experiential learning.
  • Advocacy and practical solutions for addressing systemic barriers.
  • May include refresher course on brief sexual history assessment taking (optional).
03
Training for

The Community

Option 1

Target Audience

Black women and girls, including community leaders, educators, and healthcare advocates.

Description

“Unclutch Your Pearls” is a powerful community engagement initiative led by the HER Multimedia Lab, focused on promoting sexual health, wellness, and empowerment for Black women and girls. This program is distinct in its culturally tailored approach, using multimedia storytelling and health communication films to spark conversations that break down taboos surrounding sexual health. Through interactive workshops and group discussions, participants will explore topics like reproductive justice, sexual wellness, and the intersection of race, gender, and health disparities. The program aims to dismantle harmful stereotypes and empower Black women to take control of their health in an unapologetic and affirming way.

Unlike traditional training programs, Unclench Your Pearls leverages community-driven dialogue to foster transformative conversations around sexual health. Participants are encouraged to share their own stories and experiences in a non-judgmental space, building trust and solidarity. By integrating visual storytelling and real-life narratives, this initiative helps redefine the narrative around Black women’s sexual health, while also providing practical tools and resources for advocacy and self-care.

Key Focus Areas
  • Empowering Black women and girls through multimedia storytelling and dialogue.
  • Addressing sexual health, reproductive justice, and health disparities from a culturally relevant lens.
  • Interactive workshops and discussions that break down taboos around sexual health.
  • Fostering self-advocacy, self-care, and community-driven health promotion.

Option 2

Target Audience

Community members, caregivers, and organizations working with older adults, particularly those involved in community settings or residential care.

Description

This community-focused training offers a dynamic and interactive approach to understanding health disparities affecting older adults, with a particular focus on sexual health and HIV. Through engaging group activities and the use of impactful health communication films, participants will explore how inequities affect access to care and the well-being of older adults. Unlike traditional trainings, this experience fosters dialogue, empowerment, and action. Participants will leave with the tools to promote open conversations about sexual health, reduce stigma, and advocate for greater healthcare equity within their communities.

Key Focus Areas
  • Addressing health disparities and systemic barriers in older adult care.
  • Promoting sexual health and HIV awareness through engaging activities.
  • Interactive health communication films for transformative community engagement.
  • Advocacy and support strategies for caregivers and organizations.

See what students are saying!

“Thank you for this training! There is so much work to be done in this field and it was so inspiring to hear from someone who is literally paving the way!”

“Thank you so much for today’s training session! I truly enjoyed participating in the activities and was particularly captivated by your project video. It was a wonderful opportunity to learn more about you and your insights… I look forward to seeing you next year!”

“Such an amazing training! I definitely unclutched my pearls!! So beyond inspired and can’t wait for you to come back next year.”ights… I look forward to seeing you next year!”

“And you did that!!! Had so many of us clutching our pearls. I hope to get my doctorate because we need more Filipino representation:) You are an inspiration to my journey.”

“An honor to learn from Dr Ebor yesterday! She is truly making a change in the gero field!”

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