Reaching the Hard to Reach: Utilizing CPBR strategies to effectively collaborate with African American in a predominately white university

African American men in college are found to have a greater level of distrust towards research studies which may influence why they are considered difficult to recruit and retain. This hesitancy to participate in research studies poses a difficult situation in HIV prevention efforts especially when faced with an increase in HIV cases among African American college students, as we have been in North Carolina. College students have better access to information about HIV prevention, but this increased knowledge has not resulted in protective behaviors. Although challenging, CBPR strategies have been effective in the development of a culturally relevant and gender-appropriate HIV sexual risk-reduction intervention for African American college men. This presentation will focus on the challenges and successes in forming and maintaining a partnership between faculty members, staff, community agencies, student organizations, and individual students on a predominately white university campus.