Charlnitta ”Moma Chi” Ellis

Program Director

The HIV/AIDS/STD Awareness and Prevention Program

I am the Program Director of the HAS (HIV/AIDS/STD) Prevention and Awareness Program at The City, Inc serving the target population of African American street cultured/gang involved youth and their families.  I am also an instructor trainer for the African American Fundamentals HIV/AIDS course for the Minneapolis chapter of the American Red Cross.

Co-founder of the African American Health Workers Network; a group of healthcare professionals that have come together for the purpose of networking and to support one another as well as providing our community with information and resources concerning health issues.

In addition to my participation in these organizations, I am also a member of the Council of Queens (African American Women Activist for Peace), NBWHP (National Black Women’s Health Project), National Minority AIDS Council, UMAC (Upper Midwest AIDS Coalition), W.I.²S.D.²O.M. (Women Instrumentally Involved Supporting the Determined Direction) of MARCH (Men Are Responsible for Cultivating Hope) and WOCHAN (Women of Color Health Alternative Network).

I am a board member for the Legal Rights Center and Midwest Health Center for Women.  A committee member of Call To Action, Sex Education for Life, Minnesota Sexuality Education Resource Review Panel, North Minneapolis Health Advisory Board and an original members of United For Peace (All Nations Under God Gang Summit).

I am the year 2000 Whitaker Award recipient established in 1993 to honor and acknowledge contributions made by a service provider and/or community member on behalf of adolescent females.  It is their intention to bestow an award on a Minnesota individual who has used innovative and creative ways to impact the lives of girls and young women in our society, and who has met the challenge and risk in advocating for girls and supporting them.  I am also the 2000 Gisela Konopka award recipient that honors individuals that are involved in reducing violence in our communities, 2004 Minneapolis City Council Award of Appreciation Outreach Community Health Worker, and 2005 Award of Excellence and Dedication from MN World AIDS Day Committee and National Black Alcoholism and Addictions Inc (NBAC).

I am dedicated to serving my community and the world through education and prevention outreach to stop the spread of HIV/AIDS/STDs and gang violence.