Abstract The proposed study is aligned with the topic “ Equity-focused approaches to reduce HIV-related health disparities” and will address the `Prevent' pillar of the Ending the HIV Epidemic (EHE): A Plan for America. Despite indications that new HIV infections in the United States are plateauing, young Black LGBTQ+ individuals are disproportionately affected, for whom the rates of new infection continue to climb. Critical gaps in our understanding of the barriers to successful pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) engagement among this priority group further hinders our ability to prevent HIV infections. The House & Ball Community (H&BC) has been disproportionately affected by the HIV epidemic for decades. The H&BC provides a unique opportunity to apply an equity-focused approach through meaningful partnership to enhance the PrEP care continuum to include young Black LGBTQ+ individuals with lived experience. In addition, HIV/AIDS crosses all fields, including mental health, addictions, community development, and health care. With their expertise in providing psychological and environmental support as well as their case management skills in establishing service linkages and engaging in client advocacy, social workers have been at the forefront of efforts to improve the lives of people infected and affected by HIV disease. Social work practice in this area provides an opportunity to support young Black LGBTQ+ individuals in partnership with the H&BC. Using the Health Equity Implementation framework and the Community-Partnered Participatory Research (CPPR) involving partnership between an academic institution (UCLA CHIPTS) and a community partner (the AMAAD Institute), the proposed study will facilitate the involvement of a locally trusted social work provider agency and a community health center to develop and evaluate the effectiveness of non-medicalized social work and community engagement strategies . The proposed study will proceed in 3 phases over 2 years. The Specific Aims of the proposed study are: Aim 1: Examine barriers and challenges affecting the PrEP care continuum among young Black LGBTQ+ members of the House & Ball Community (H&BC); Aim 2: Formalize H&BC empowerment services that facilitate linkages to support and retention services provided at a comprehensive social work and grassroots engagement agency; and Aim 3: Pilot test equity-focused, community-engaged grassroots model approaches that can support the PrEP care continuum for young Black LGBTQ+ members of the H&BC.