Kudos to Schenita Randolph for the submission of her CTSA KL2 proposal to the Duke CTSI, project entitled "Barber Talk to Decrease Risky Sexual Behaviors among Black Male Youth." This proposal requests funding for three years to support 75 percent investigator effort, travel, and research related costs. The award will begin July 1, 2017.

Abstract: The objective of this study is to develop and pilot test the acceptability and feasibility of a barber-led intervention titled, The Cutting E.D.G.E (Empowering Dads to Guide and Educate) using barbers as lay health advisors.  A mutually beneficial partnership with barbers are needed much like in other community-engaged research to ensure sustainability, long-term impact, and increase recruitment and retention of Black fathers and their sons. This study will address the following aims:

• Aim #1: Develop the Cutting E.D.G.E intervention using a community based participatory team as partners to provide cultural, social, and sustainable perspectives.
• Aim #2a:  Train barbers to deliver the Cutting E.D.G.E intervention.
• Aim #2b:  Pilot test the acceptability and feasibility of the Cutting E.D.G.E intervention with 24 father-son dyads.