Our Mission

The "On The Ground Smoking Cessation and Prevention Project" is a joint partnership between three Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) in North Carolina: Bennett College for Women, North Carolina A&T State University and North Carolina Central University. The goals of the "On the Ground Smoking Cessation and Prevention Project" are:

• Reduce smoking among college students,
• Strengthen campus smoking policies,
• Examine culturally appropriate multidisciplinary approaches to smoking prevention and cessation; and,
• Raise public awareness in surrounding communities.

The "On the Ground" project is part of the American Legacy Foundation's Legacy Evaluation and Research Network Initiative.

The North Carolina Institute of Minority Economic Development administers and monitors the grant in partnership with the three participating HBCUs. The Institute has been instrumental in facilitating collaborations with Historically Black Colleges and Universities.

The "On the Ground" project will reach the African American community through a four-pronged strategic approach:

• Bennett College For Women - Train Peer Health Advocates to serve as peer counselors to aid    smokers trying to quit.

• North Carolina A&T - Utilize Broadcast Media to gather, analyze and communicate information      about the health risks of tobacco use through radio media.

• Bennett College for Women and North Carolina A&T - Develop a Point of Sale component to    collect data relevant to the advertising and retail sale of tobacco products in select communities, then    the dissemination of the findings through community organizations and forums, churches and student    organizations.

• North Carolina Central University - Students will compile and edit tobacco prevention and cessation    curriculum materials. In consultation with tobacco-control experts, students will make evidence-based    training materials available to other HBCUs.