Beyond the Sheets strengthens sexual health information at HBCUs

Power to Decide, a nonprofit organization dedicated to sexual and reproductive health, continues its mission with Beyond the Sheets, an initiative to empower HBCU students following the aftermath of Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, the case that overturned Roe v. Wade.

The program addresses critical gaps in sexual and reproductive health care at HBCUs. Launched in 2023, Beyond the Sheets has four guiding principles: listen, engage, mobilize, and influence. A Power to Decide press release states that the initiative uses social media to encourage discussion, organizes campus events that promote bias-free spaces, and facilitates access to safer sex materials and local health services. It also encourages peer advocacy to address inadequate sexual and reproductive health resources.

HBCUs play an important role in the education of black professionals. They make up 10% of all

Black college students, with women making up 64% of that population. Power to Decide emphasized that “ambassadors on HBCU campuses are on the front lines of spreading accurate, trustworthy sexual and reproductive health information.”

Many HBCUs are located in areas with limited access to sexual and reproductive health resources – a situation exacerbated by structural racism and health care inequalities.

“Beyond the Sheets” attempts to confront and mitigate complex obstacles such as

the nearly 75% of HBCUs that operate in states that have implemented strong reproductive rights laws while also struggling with inadequate financial support for on-campus wellness facilities. The program currently includes ten student ambassadors from five HBCUs: Florida A&M University, Tougaloo College, Tuskegee University, University of the Virgin Islands, and Xavier University of Louisiana. Dr. McDonald-Mosley noted, “Our ambassadors are creating lasting change on their campuses and beyond to ensure everyone has the resources and information they need to promote sexual and reproductive wellness.”