Spoken word poetry harnesses the unique power of Black American linguistic and cultural expression to support reducing HIV stigma.

Background: Despite advancements in prevention and treatment, HIV rates for Black communities lag behind.

Program background: The Saying it Out Loud video combines spoken word poetry and factual storytelling to illuminate the experience of living (and thriving) with HIV. The poet, Ebony, shares her lived experience of coming to terms with her diagnosis and rejects HIV self-stigma.

Evaluation Methods and Results:

Spoken word poetry supercharges this testimonial by 1) featuring a Black women with HIV telling her own story, 2) using an emotional appeal, 3) and addressing socio-cultural issues relevant to Black women.

Featuring a Black woman in a vibrant, contemporary setting, instantly makes clear the key audience. Ebony’s mastery of spoken word evokes popular music among Black women--rap, hip-hop, and jazz. Such creative elements grab attention and support message retention.

Ebony speaks of her lived experience, confronting self-stigma and the swarm of emotions an HIV diagnosis brings. Such emotional appeals are sometimes more effective than didactic approaches that appeal to logic and reason to persuade individuals to change their attitudes and health behaviors.

Finally, the piece addresses sociocultural issues important to Black women. Spoken word often addresses issues of social justice, race, and community. In the piece, the rhythmic storytelling positions HIV stigma as a justice issue, in that it diminishes Black women’s quality of life through the destruction caused by self- and public-stigma. Ebony ends with the clarity that no matter her status, she is worthy of love. Ebony says what is not often said out loud — those living with HIV are worthy of love.

Conclusions: N/A

Implications for research and/or practice: Spoken word poetry, in combination with personal story can enhance using testimonial in health communications to promote HIV prevention and treatment among Black women.