Martez Smith, PhD, LMSW

Sociobehavioral sexual health scholar

Martez D. R. Smith


Martez holds a PhD in Nursing and Health Science from the University of Rochester, and is a Licensed Master Social Worker. His research interests include addressing racial, sexual and gender minority health disparities through community-driven, asset-based interventions. In addition to conducting research, Martez works alongside a nationwide cadre of activists, organizing for social justice with the Keeping Ballroom Community Alive Network (KBCAN), which he co-founded in 2015.
Since 2010, Martez has worked on numerous health and social welfare initiatives, starting as a HIV case management intern in his hometown of Columbus, Ohio. Martez has since worked as a HIV test counselor, research assistant/coordinator on HIV and sexual health studies, consultant on national and state HIV awareness campaigns, and aided with the startup of the Office of Supportive/Affordable Housing and Services (OSAHS), an innovative initiative to procure 15,000 units of supportive housing in NYC. These experiences led to his role as the Community Co-Chair of the Ending The Epidemic Task Force Black MSM Subcommittee, leading the implementation of recommendations to improve HIV care continuum outcomes for Black MSM across New York State. In 2019, Martez served as the Inaugural Storytelling Co-Chair for the National HIV Prevention Conference hosted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Martez has also participated in the house/ballroom community since 2009, currently a member of the House of Xclusive-Lanvin in mainstream ballroom and a member of the House of Hua Mulan in Kiki ballroom.

Publications


Leveraging family-based assets for Black men who have sex with men in House Ball Communities: Protocol for a cluster randomized controlled trial.


Jeffrey Birnbaum, Michael Roberson, Marlon M Bailey, Martez D R Smith, DeAnne Turner, Han-Zhu Qian, Sangchoon Jeon, Sabina Hirshfield, LaRon E Nelson

PLoS ONE, 2023


HPP Presents: Equity and Social Justice in Health Promotion Practice for LGBTQIA2S+ Children, Youth, and Young Adults


S. Hirshfield, J. Birnbaum, DeAnne Turner, Michael Roberson, M. Bailey, Martez D R Smith, LaRon E Nelson

2023


Assessing Different Types of HIV Communication and Sociocultural Factors on Perceived HIV Stigma and Testing among a National Sample of Youth and Young Adults


Gamji M’Rabiu Abubakari, Martez DR Smith, Donte T Boyd, S Raquel Ramos, Courtney Johnson, Juan L Benavides, Megan Threats, Junior L Allen, Camille R Quinn

International journal of environmental research and public health, vol. 19(2), 2022, p. 1003


An Innovative Adaptation of an HIV Status-Neutral, Community-Informed, Socioemotional Asset-Building Intervention With the House Ball Community


S. Hirshfield, J. Birnbaum, DeAnne Turner, Michael Roberson, M. Bailey, Martez D R Smith, LaRon E Nelson

Health Promotion Practice, 2022


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Martez Smith

PhD, LMSW


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