Contact PD/PI: Sims, Mario PROJECT SUMMARY Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains the leading cause of death in the US, and African Americans (AAs) experience a disproportionate burden of CVD. The Jackson Heart Study (JHS) is a community-based, cohort study of CVD and related risk factors (biological, behavioral, and social determinants) among AAs in Jackson, MS, that serves as a rich resource to the scientific community for novel research on the etiology of CVD among AAs. We propose a 2-day 20th Anniversary JHS Conference to accomplish the following aims that incorporate major themes of the NHLBI mission and its 2020 Strategic Vision including: Aim 1. Advance scientific knowledge of CVD disparities among AAs through the following activities: (a) present 20 years of scientific findings on cardiovascular (CV) health among AAs and (b) stimulate novel research methods for future scientific studies. Aim 2. Promote workforce diversity by focusing on training and mentoring through the following activities: (a) Identification of strategies to build successful mentorship and traineeship of underrepresented minorities, and (b) Provide Early Stage Investigators with mentorship opportunities for developing and submitting high-quality manuscripts. Aim 3. Advance translation and dissemination of findings through the following activities: (a) Review of the process for translating and disseminating research findings into the community, and (b) Overview of methods for translating research findings into novel health promotion messages. Our Conference is highly significant because it involves a collaboration between a major medical research center (UMMC), two historically black colleges and universities (Tougaloo College and Jackson State University) and a state health department (Mississippi State Department of Health) that uses a multi-level approach to address CVD disparities in a state with a high burden of CVD among AAs.