We know that trust is a tricky situation in many communities because of historical trauma and predatory practices. We also know that it’s crucial to engage communities and the trusted messengers that represent those communities. In collaboration with HeartSmiles, we remixed our Community Immunity vaccine literacy educational videos to authentically represent Baltimore’s cultural and historic icons. Our localized approach was featured in this PBS interview with HeartSmiles’ founder and President Joni Holifield and members of the CAH’s Youth Advisory Board.

The Voices on Vax website provided up-to-date data on COVID-19 and COVID-19 vaccines, a searchable vaccination site locator, information on transportation to vaccine sites, and a platform for young people to create and share their own vaccine stories. In addition to the Voices on Vax website, the team worked closely with the Baltimore County Health Department and Baltimore public schools to expand vaccine access through additional pop-up vaccination sites in the community and expanded hours.

“We’re thrilled to have the opportunity to work with Hip Hop Public Health, HeartSmiles, the Hopkins Vaccine Center, and our other partners on this project,” said Center for Adolescent Health Director Dr. Tamar Mendelson. “We’re excited to train young people as health ambassadors and develop a multi-generational website that families can access for accurate and engaging information about the COVID vaccine.”

Additionally, we supported local, emerging hip hop talent to create their own original PSA music videos with lyrics that debunk myths, encourage vaccine confidence, and vaccine literacy. These music video PSAs were showcased during a series of virtual events and competitions to uplift and shine a spotlight on young artists using their talent and platforms to help stop the spread by remixing “Community Immunity” as part of our Lost Verse Challenge with HeartSmiles & Rolling Out Magazine.