Lessons Learned : Developing African-American Public Health Professionals and Health Disparities Researchers in South Carolina

South Carolina's six Historically Black colleges and Universities (HBCUs) are located in counties with high percentages of disadvantaged South Carolinians who are people of color and disproportionately in poor health. Throughout history, these institutions have functioned as community based organizations committed to improving the quality of life of all people and have been engaged in community, business, and economic development. They are closer to the target audiences where health disparities exist and where interventions and research can take place. At all of South Carolina's HBCUs, there is a growing interest in increasing both research and intervention activities geared towards reducing and eliminating health disparities. Through the W. K. Kellogg African American Public Health Fellowship and Development Program, a partnership has been created between the University of South Carolina's Institute for Partnerships to Eliminate Health Disparities, the Arnold School of Public Health, and South Carolina's Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). A formal structure exists that has introduced more than 500 high school, undergraduate, and graduate students to careers in public health and health disparities research, the career development process, and appropriate academic preparation needed to prepare for graduate and professional school. The project has also provided support to the HBCUs that wish to enhance and expand their campus research efforts. Over the last four years, 75 HBCU faculty have participated in research development training activities, and five pilot research studies have been funded. This workshop will describe lessons that partners have learned regarding program development and implementation.