NATIONAL BLACK HIV/AIDS AWARENESS: Community Efforts

February 7, 2011 was National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day! This is monumental due to the startling increase of HIV/AIDS in our community. There are many organizations and community leaders that are doing what they can to spread awareness to this issue that affects us. National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day (NBHAAD),  is one of those organizations. NBHAAD, a national HIV/AIDS testing and treatment community mobilization initiative designed to encourage Blacks across the United States and Territorial Areas to get educated, get tested, get involved, and get treated around HIV/AIDS, as it continues to devastate Black communities.


In 2008, an estimated 18,328 Blacks received an AIDS diagnosis, a number that has remained relatively stable since 2005. By the end of 2007, an estimated 233,624 Blacks with a diagnosis of AIDS had died in the US and 5 dependent areas. In 2006, HIV was the ninth leading cause of death for all Blacks and the third leading cause of death for both Black men and Black women aged 35–44. Unfortunately, many of those who are infected with HIV are unaware of their status and may unknowingly transmit the virus to others. It’s time to mobilize and talk about this devastating disease so we can make a difference… and there’s no better time than February 7th! On this commemorative day, Blacks are encouraged to get educated, get tested, get involved, and get treated around HIV/AIDS. Special events such as press conferences, town hall meetings, church services, community marches and rallies, candlelight vigils, and free HIV testing will be held throughout the nation.

“We have to challenge the mindset and notion that Black people are disposable based on their sexual orientation, drug addiction or behavior, we didn’t have that option on the slave ships or plantations – so why now? We can turn this epidemic around if we act now.” says LaMont “Montee” Evans, of Healthy Black Communities, Inc, NBHAAD 2011 Annual Chairperson and a member of the NBHAAD Strategic Leadership Council.


While Blacks represent approximately 13% of the U.S. population, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that the group accounts for almost half of the nation’s AIDS cases.

In its eleventh year, NBHAAD organizers remain focused on all cities where Black communities are disproportionately impacted and the epidemic is not slowing. Some of these cities include Atlanta, Baltimore, Chicago, Cleveland, Dallas, Detroit, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, Newark, New York, Oakland, Philadelphia, Raleigh-Durham, San Francisco, Trenton and Washington, D.C.

Several Black celebrities and community leaders have served as the face and voice of this huge effort while encouraging thousands of Black communities to mobilize and do something that will be long-lasting in the fight against HIV/AIDS. Past spokespersons include: Congressman Elijah E. Cummings; Tony Dungy; Idris Elba; Kimberly Elise; Lance Gross; Hill Harper; Taraji P. Henson; Tom Joyner; Congresswoman Barbara Lee; Ludacris; Master P; Tangi Miller; Patrik-Ian Polk; General Colin Powell; Sheryl Lee Ralph; Gloria Reuben; Romeo; Rev. Edwin Sanders; Tavis Smiley; and Congresswoman Maxine Waters.

Currently, NBHAAD is directed, planned and organized by a group known as the Strategic Leadership Council who partners with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to mobilize communities and address specific issues in regards to local epidemics.


For more information on National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, visit www.blackaidsday.org.
_-Source: NBHAAD Media Source, www.blackaidsday.org


Joining the initiative in their own right is Dodge Us Car Club (DUCC), a community service organization. For more information about DUCC visit www.DodgeUs.weebly.com Dodge Us Car Club is currently raising money, as walkers and volunteers with AIDS Walk Houston. AIDS Walk Houston is an exciting, non-competitive event that increases community awareness and educates Houstonians about HIV/AIDS. Incredible progress has been made in the fight against HIV/AIDS, but a cure has not been found. Individuals continue to contract HIV at an alarming rate right here in our city. You can assist by joining us as volunteers or donating. The walk will take place AIDS Walk Houston 2011 Sunday, March 13, 2011 8:00 am Sam Houston Park (downtown) 1100 Bagby Street. Proceeds from AIDS Walk Houston benefit AIDS Foundation Houston, Inc as well as several other Houston-area HIV/AIDS service organizations. The funds that participants raise supports education and pediatric programs, provides housing, food, medical care, counseling, and job training to more than 100,000 Houstonians each year. Join in the fun!
To find out more information or donate Click here to visit my personal page. http://www.aidshelp.org/site/TR?px=1426729&pg=personal&fr_id=1120&et=K8W1CkNcVhIsUrfTwyb9sw..&s_tafId=20274


Click here to view the team page for Allstar D.U.C.C. http://www.aidshelp.org/site/TR?team_id=19090&pg=team&fr_id=1120&et=tVciNiClXttSwc3m8iYADA..&s_tafId=20274

-MsNightLyfe

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