We currently support a range of community-focused initiatives, including: 1) the Annual Sexual Health, Education & Rights Block Party, 2) Sexual Health Education Capacity Building for school staff and youth-serving organizations, 3) Black Birth Matters, and 4) HIV prevention and support programs through Pozitive2Positive, including Friends with Benefits and Conversations with Unc. Additional programs include Our Whole Lives (OWL) comprehensive sex education, the New Orleans Maternal Child Health Coalition (MCHC), and restorative justice efforts addressing sexual and domestic violence.
Get in touch if you’d like to collaborate, support, or get involved with one of our ongoing initiatives to advance health, education, and equity in New Orleans.
Our Current Projects
New Orleans’ Sexual Health, Education & Rights Block Party
The SHER Lab’s Annual Block Party is a lively community event that brings together local organizations, volunteers, and residents to share important health and wellness resources. The event offers STI testing, health screenings, sex education, and information on sexual and domestic violence prevention and advocacy.
As a coalition, we focus on proactive and preventative outreach in sexual, reproductive, and community health across Louisiana. We’re committed to making care and education accessible, inclusive, and affirming for everyone.
The Block Party brings together more than 20 volunteers, over 30 community partners, and hundreds of participants from across the region, celebrating collaboration, empowerment, and community care.
Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) Services Survey
The SHER Lab is conducting a citywide survey to map youth sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services across New Orleans. The ongoing project documents education programs, condom distribution, clinical care, referrals, and other community-based resources that support young people’s sexual and reproductive well-being.
The survey aims to identify service gaps, overlaps, and opportunities for collaboration among organizations working in sexual health, education, and rights. Findings will help strengthen coordination between schools, clinics, and community partners, supporting more equitable access to SRH resources for youth throughout the city.
Sexual Health Education Capacity Building for Youth-Serving Organizations and School-Based Staff
In partnership with the New Orleans Health Department, Ryann Martinek, MPH this initiative develops free sexual health and healthy relationship education workshops for school-based staff and youth-serving organizations across Louisiana.
The program focuses on building in-school capacity so educators and staff can confidently deliver comprehensive, medically accurate, and inclusive sexual health education. Trainings cover topics such as puberty, consent, healthy relationships, contraception, and STI prevention, while also addressing local health data, relevant policies, and inclusive teaching strategies.
By strengthening skills and resources within schools and community organizations, this project helps ensure that young people receive consistent, high-quality sexual health education and the tools they need to make informed choices about their health and relationships.
Black Birth Matters
Our lab will produce an impact report for the the Birthmark Doula Collective’s Black Birth Matters Summit, and collaborate with Victoria Williams to develop ongoing organizational assessment tools. The Black Birth Matters annual summit focuses on the intersecting issues of birth and social justice, with a special emphasis on centering the black experience. This gathering is an opportunity to advocate for better birth outcomes and experiences for black families through arts engagement, discussions, panels, and networking sessions.
Pozitive2Positive Initiative
Founded in 2023, the Pozitive2Positive (P2P) Initiative is a grassroots nonprofit dedicated to HIV prevention, education, care linkage, and destigmatization. Rooted in New Orleans, P2P takes a holistic approach to HIV work—addressing the social, cultural, and structural factors that shape health outcomes. With a focus on young Black men who have sex with men and other Black and Brown communities, P2P promotes informed, stigma-free conversations around sexual health and access to care.
Led by founder and Executive Director Morris Singletary, P2P runs several key programs including Friends with Benefits, which engages community members through themed educational and testing events, and Conversations with Unc, a group series supporting individuals living with HIV.
CrescentCare: HIV Prevention, Youth Engagement & Leadership
Glenis Scott, MPH is a public health leader and community organizer dedicated to expanding access to care and advancing health equity in New Orleans. At CrescentCare, he oversees programs focused on HIV prevention, youth engagement, and culturally responsive education.
As the primary coordinator and organizer of Southern HIV/AIDS Awareness Day in New Orleans, he brings together more than two dozen community partners each August 20 to raise awareness, reduce stigma, and promote prevention resources. Glenis also founded Steppers for Health, a coalition group that strengthens HIV service coordination across the city, and created the PEERS youth program, which trains high school students to serve as peer educators and health advocates.
Rooted in faith, culture, and justice, his work continues to build connection, empowerment, and care throughout the community.
Our Whole Lives (OWL) – Facilitator Training & Youth Programs
Our Whole Lives (OWL) is a comprehensive, age-appropriate sexual health curriculum serving learners from kindergarten through adulthood. The program provides inclusive, evidence-based resources to help participants make informed choices about their sexual health, with abstinence presented as one option among many. OWL emphasizes responsibility, justice, inclusion, sexual health, and self-respect, and offers optional faith-based companion materials.
In New Orleans, Rev. Sara Green coordinates OWL facilitator trainings and leads interactive sessions for middle and high school students. Lessons are delivered through engaging activities like games, trivia, and panels featuring health professionals, creating a confidential and supportive learning environment. OWL also trains local educators and community members to facilitate sessions, expanding access to comprehensive sex education across the city.
New Orleans Maternal Child Health Coalition (MCHC) – Advancing Maternal & Infant Health
Founded in 2018, the New Orleans Maternal Child Health Coalition (MCHC) is a network of over 100 stakeholders working to improve maternal and infant health in the city. The coalition centers the experiences of Black birthing people to advance quality, respectful care during pregnancy, birth, and the postpartum period.
MCHC produces tools like Legislative Scorecards to track voting on bills affecting maternal and child health, informing advocacy, community strategy, and voter education. The scorecards categorize legislation on topics such as social determinants of health, maternal mental health, reproductive rights, and perinatal workforce issues.
Key leaders like Brittany Williams, a trained birth worker, doula, and perinatal health advocate, contribute expertise and direct support to pregnant parents while strengthening community knowledge of birth and maternal health.
Restorative Justice and Sexual Violence Panel
The SHER Lab hosted a panel of experts, including Jay England, MPH, to explore restorative justice as a response to sexual violence on college campuses and in the broader community. The discussion focused on approaches that center truth-telling, accountability, and healing, highlighting both the challenges and possibilities of restorative practices.
The event brought together 41 attendees and resulted in a 46% increase in knowledge of restorative justice practices and a 77% increase in awareness of local community organizations addressing sexual and domestic violence. Panelists emphasized the importance of confidentiality, voluntariness, and addressing root causes of violence such as power and control.
Organized with the support of Tulane undergraduate students, the event fostered collaboration between campus and community stakeholders while raising awareness of restorative justice foundations in sexual violence response.