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OUR STORY
Closing the Gap Between Care and Community
Cutting Out Stigma began with an opportunity hiding in plain sight. Black barbershops have long been more than places to get a haircut. They are trusted spaces where people talk about life, relationships, family, and community—and where barbers build relationships with clients over months and years.
The idea started in a barber’s chair. During a conversation with her sons’ barber, Nate King, Dr. Aima Ahonkhai saw what those relationships could make possible. As a physician who had spent years seeing HIV prevention and care reach some communities but not others, she brought a question to barbers: Could everyday conversations in the shop challenge stigma and open the door to better health?
Barbers answered that question. Together with Today’s Hope and researchers, they shaped the approach that became Cutting Out Stigma.
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Listening & Learning
2021-23
Formative research guides the development of the COS model with barbers identifies stigma as a barrier to HIV prevention and care and confirms barbers' interest in being part of the solution.
THE TIMELINE
A Partnership is Born
2020
A Meharry–Vanderbilt Alliance partnership award brings together Dr. Ahonkhai, Today's Hope, and Tennessee barbers to develop a new approach to community health.
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Building the Model
2023-24
Barbers, community partners, and researchers develop the COS model, earning national recognition from the HHS Office of Minority Health.
03
From Idea to Evidence
2024
An NIH-supported six-month study across Nashville and Memphis finds that COS had substantial reach in the community and was associated with increased HIV knowledge, and lower community stigma.
04
Growing the Model
2025-26
COS expands to Massachusetts and Georgia, integrates with a community-based organization in Tennessee, and broadening its focus to include mental health and substance use.
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Community Impact Recognized
2026
At TD Garden, Dr. Ahonkhai is honored as a Boston Celtics Hero Among Us, recognizing the community impact of Cutting Out Stigma..
07
LOOKING AHEAD
Testing COS on a Larger Scale
Building on early success, new NIH funding will support a larger, rigorous study to determine how well COS improves HIV prevention and care—and how the model can reach more communities.
The People Behind
the Work
Cutting Out Stigma is powered by a diverse network of leaders working together to advance community health.
Barbers
Trusted community voices leading health conversations where they matter most.
Public Health and Community Leaders
Public health, academic, and community leaders strengthening partnerships, deepening engagement, and driving impact.
Founder
Dr. Aima Ahonkhai, Associate Professor at Harvard Medical School, physician at Mass General Brigham, and implementation science researcher advancing health equity.
TESTIMONIAL
“Barbers, we’re like the doctor before the doctor. People come to us because they feel like we’re trusted.”
— Cutting Out Stigma Barber
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Multimedia That Reaches People
Our culturally tailored posters, billboards, social media campaigns, and in-shop materials reach over 25,000 people every month. By combining bold visuals with community-centered messaging, we meet people where they are with information that resonates.
These multimedia efforts help spark conversations, increase awareness, and connect individuals to trusted health resources.
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With Gratitude to Our Funders
