THE PROJECT
Beyond the Talk is an honest discussion series about sexual health. Created and moderated by the SLAY Council, with support from SFDPH and Community Based Organizations, the campaign is dedicated to teaching black teen girls how to develop safe, healthy relationships. Grounded in protection through empowerment, Beyond the Talk confronts the biases surrounding teens and sex, addresses the barriers to sexual health awareness in San Francisco’s black neighborhoods, and emphasizes the critical role of parents and community in ensuring the emotional and sexual well-being of black teen girls.
THE PROCESS
The Sistas Leadership for African American Youth Council (SLAY Council) was established to address disproportionately high STD/STI rates amongst Black / African American young women in San Francisco. With participation from Youth United Through Health Education (YUTHE), SLAY Coordinators, Dr. Cherrie Boyer, and the inventiveness, and insight of a strong and energetic group of young women, SLAY reflects the culturally relevant diversity and collaboration needed to address this complex issue.
By sitting down with the SLAY Council, and taking their lead on how we should execute the language, tone, and style, together we created a culturally relevant campaign, that looks and feels like media they already engage with on a day to day basis.
THE RESULTS
Grounded in protection through empowerment, Beyond the Talk confronts the biases surrounding teens and sex, addresses the barriers to sexual health awareness in San Francisco’s black neighborhoods, and emphasizes the critical role of parents an community in ensuring the emotional and sexual well-being of black teen girls.
