Purpose Hampton University MMHI’s Outreach and Partnerships Core will serve as a regional focal point to partners and other stakeholders with a vested stake in reducing and ultimately eliminating health disparities in minority men.  The strength of the Outreach and Partnerships Core rests on the relationships and connections of the HBCUs within their respective regions along with the rich tradition HBCUs have that will forever link these institutions with the communities, having very strong representation of minority men.  The MMHI will rely very heavily on the support of the National Association for Equal Opportunity (NAFEO) and their long-standing relationship and connection within the HBCU community.  Along with the full support of the five partnering HBCUs (Clark University, Howard University, Jackson State University, North Carolina A&T State University, and Saint Augustine’s University), Hampton University will lead a coalition in proposing outreach and partnerships with all HBCUs in an effort to expand the Center’s resources and, more importunity, to make a meaningful contribution to the daily lives and well-being of racial and ethnic groups.  In addition, the MMHI will reach out to national health organizations and institutions outside the targeted region, especially NIMHD funded Centers of Excellence (COEs), to establish collaborative relations, to share core resources, participate in workshops and conferences, and fund collaborative pilot projects.  As the HU-HBCU TCC in Health and Human Services Regions III and IV, the Center will achieve its overall objective through the following aims: Aim 1:  Solidify collaborative relationships with HBCUs to establish a regional framework that will support the proposed research, implementation, and dissemination of activities. Aim 2:  Conduct a formal, comprehensive assessment of existing resources (research, outreach anddissemination), and challenges (policies, systems, education, training, overall socioeconomic conditions) in order to identify needs unique to the targeted area and population group that might affect the prevalence of prostate cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes and violence in minority men. Aim 3:  Develop and implement replicable and scalable strategies to reduce health disparities in minority men, develop plans and timeline for the program implementation phase, including procedures for soliciting, selecting, and overseeing new research projects. Aim 4:  Implement an ongoing mechanism to assess the effectiveness of the partnership and make adjustments based on feedback and input, using the academic/community participatory approach. Aim 5:  Identify opportunities to engage and strengthen associations with federal, national, state, and local agencies and expand the activities of the HU-HBCU TCC regionally to promote collaboration nationally in support of other NIMHD and NIH grantees. Key People Outreach and Partnerships Core: 

Name	Organization	Role
Dr. Raymond Samuel	Hampton University	PI
Dr. Nicholas Kenney	Hampton University	Co-PI