Building Bridges

	Marilyn A. Moering CEO/Executive Director contactbbi@comcast.net Marilyn began her career in the field of HIV/AIDS as a volunteer for the American Red Cross. After working in the field for quite a few years, she decided that she wanted to find a way to directly assist people living with HIV/AIDS. This was the beginning of Building Bridges, Inc. in March 1995.

	Kennis Jefferson Prevention Intervention Specialist kjeffersonbbi@comcast.net Kennis began his career in the field of HIV/AIDS as a research assistant with the Becoming A Responsible Teen (BART) Project at Jackson State University. He has worked at Building Bridges Inc. since 2000 as a prevention intervention specialist. In this position he provides client services that include prevention case management (PCM) as well as HIV counseling and testing and street and community outreach. His creed is "None of you truly believes until he wishes for his brother what he wishes for himself."

	Beverly Brown Administrative Assistant bbrownbbi@comcast.net Beverly has been employed with Building Bridges, Inc. for a little over 2years. At BBI she utilizes her skills to assist in the needs of others. She is a people person and has a mind that is very eager to learn whatever it is needed. Her duties include: greeting all visitors, answering and directing incoming telephone calls , data entry, and various other tasks. She has an infinite passion for others that are in need of services and she remains dedicated to the cause.

	Charlotte Smith-Norwood Prevention Intervention Specialist cnorwoodbbi@comcast.net Charlotte Norwood is a native of Jackson, MS and is employed at Building Bridges, Inc. as a Prevention Intervention Specialist. In this position she works with the SISTA Project, conducts street and community outreach, conducts HIV/AIDS Testing and Counseling, and community education. In her life and her work, Charlotte holds fast to Matthew 25:40, :for the least of these.

	Esi Arthur Prevention Intervention Specialist earthurbbi@comcast.net Ms. Esi Arthur was born in Nashville, TN where she spent her early years before moving to Iowa City, Iowa and Lafayette, LA for elementary and middle school, respectively. She attended Madison Central High School in Madison, MS and Fisk University in Nashville before returning to Jackson to become part of the Building Bridges, Inc. family. Ms. Arthur is sensitive to the health disparities affecting African Americans and chose to become an advocate in the fight against HIV/AIDS. She embraces her African American-Ghanaian heritage, is fluent in ASL (American Sign Language) and is committed to cultural competence across language and ethnicities. She shrives to use every avenue she can to prevent the spread of STIs in her community and beyond.

	Hope Wright CBOP Specialist hopewrightbbi@yahoo.com Hope Wright is a Mississippi born California native. While in California she began her career in the social service field working with mentally challenged adults and senior citizens, assisting with transitional services of the state hospitals and community care programs. Hope moved back to Mississippi in 2000, where she continued her training with the mentally challenged at Ellisville State School as a Direct Care Worker. In 2002 she moved to Jackson, Ms. Hope was Director of two different outreach programs, at Stewpot Community Services. While there Hope was involved in many aspects of the homeless community. Both these jobs led to the growing need to help in the HIV/AIDS epidemic and saw the reality of HIV/AIDS in the Jackson, MS. Her desire to not only help, but learn more about HIV/AIDS in the Metro Jackson Area. Hope joined the Building Bridges team 2008 as a CBOP Specialist. “B HOPEFUL”, as she always says.