PROJECT ABSTRACT: HIV disproportionately affects Black and Latino men who have sex with men and transgender women (BLMSM/TGW). These populations would greatly benefit from early access to new HIV prevention tools. Recently, the Food and Drug Administration approved Apretude (an extended-release injectable form of cabotegravir) for use as long-acting injectable pre-exposure prophylaxis (LAI PrEP) to reduce the risk of acquiring HIV through sex. The equitable dissemination of LAI PrEP to BLMSM/TGW can help decrease new HIV infections in these populations. Unfortunately, historically these populations have lagged behind more privileged, well-resourced, White gay men in receiving information about the newest HIV prevention options and the means of accessing them to benefit from early adoption. As such, the goal of this project is to work within the “Exploration and Preparation” phases of the Exploration, Preparation, Implementation, Sustainment (EPIS) implementation framework to implement strategies to promote the equitable dissemination of LAI PrEP among BLMSM/TGW in Los Angeles County (LAC). This project focuses on the Prevent pillar of the national Ending the HIV Epidemic initiative and aligns with LAC’s EHE plan to facilitate PrEP scale up efforts and reduce barriers to access and continuation. The project has three specific aims. Aims 1 and 2 are to increase awareness and knowledge of, and trust and confidence in, LAI PrEP as a new HIV prevention option among BLMSM/TGW and providers serving them. Aim 3 is to develop a LAI PrEP strategic messaging guide to support ongoing diffusion of LAI PrEP information by the LAC Public Health Department’s Division of HIV and STD Programs and BLMSM/TGW service providers to facilitate greater community awareness and stimulate community discourse about the use of this new HIV prevention tool among BLMSM/TGW in LAC. To achieve aims 1 and 2, we will use a community-engaged approach to develop a series of informational/ educational community workshops (n = 7) that prioritize and preemptively build service provider and consumer awareness, knowledge, and confidence in LAI PrEP as an acceptable HIV prevention option for BLMSM/TGW in LAC. To complete aim 3, we will conduct focus groups (n = 6) with BLMSM/TGW to inform the development of a LAI PrEP strategic messaging guide of community-developed, culturally appropriate messaging. The expected outcome of the project is creating greater community awareness, trust, and confidence in LAI PrEP as a HIV prevention option for BLMSM/TGW among both consumers and service providers. The anticipated impact of the project is a more equitable dissemination and implementation of LAI PrEP among at-risk BLMSM/TGW heavily burdened by HIV in LAC.