Institute for African American Mobilization
The Institute for African American Mobilization (IAAM) works to build sensitivity around alcohol, tobacco and other drugs use within the African-American communities of Philadelphia and trains professionals in cultural sensitivity.
The Philadelphia Prevention Partnership’s IAAM grew out of a meeting convened in 1994, held by the Partnership for African-American community. The program originated from the Center for Substance Abuse Prevention which has developed culturally-sensitive models of approach to prevent and decrease substance abuse for various communities (Latino, Native American included).
In taking on this model, the Partnership tested several groups in the Philadelphia African-American community to assess how it could be used most effectively as a prevention tool in our community. As a result, lAAM’s primary target audience is African-Americans who work in prevention and treatment programs, and as social Workers. The trainings are state certified for addiction Counselors and prevention specialist, (non African American counselors and specialist who work within the African American milieu are also allowed to attend). IAAM’s secondary target is African-American youth.
The African-American community has given up its control and power to the government and government supported organizations. We must build on our cultural and historical identity, unify for power and organize for collective work.