Vienna, Austria – July 20, 2010 – Today’s announcement about a breakthrough in microbicide development is reason to celebrate. While it is too early to declare mission accomplished– we are still years away from actually having an effective microbicide- a few hugs and kisses with a little patting of the back might very well be called for.
While this might be the single most important science story of this 18th International AIDS conference, it is also a story about redemption, tenacity and hope. Two years ago South Africa, with the worst AIDS epidemic on the planet and an AIDS denialist for a president, was the pariah of the AIDS world. But with new leadership, a national HIV prevention and treatment plan, and new a monumental scientific breakthrough, like a Phoenix rising from the ashes, South Africa is a leader in the fight to eradicate HIV from the planet.
The last time this meeting was convened in 2008, microbicide research was basically dead in the water. Salim Abdool, Karim and Quarraisha Abdool Karim, the principal investigators on this current microbicide study worked on seven microbicide trials before coming up with this winning strategy. During this string of failure after failure, I’m sure that there were days when they asked themselves, why are we doing this. “It took us 20 years,” says Quarraisha. “We’ve been through the difficult days when we organized the Durban AIDS conference. That was a very difficult time for all of us,” said Salim. “We were having to deal with trying to grapple with this problem and how we were going to move forward…and at the same time we had essentially an obstructionist toward anything in trying to move forward…especially anything having to do with antiretrovirals. God forbid.” But their dogged determination and willingness to stick with what they believed in and their commitment to help save women’s lives caused them to stay their course.
But most importantly, this is a story about hope. “The women asked us, what can we do to protect ourselves? We had nothing to offer them.” said Quarraisha. “Today although we don’t have a microbicide, the results signal hope for women. That they have something that’s 39 percent more effective than nothing.”
These lessons would serve Black America well. Perhaps this example of a husband and wife team in rural South Africa with nothing but hope and an unwavering commitment to help save women’s lives to will provide us with hope–hope for women who have been disproportionately affected by AIDS and for communities being decimated by the epidemic. For like the former government of South Africa, many of us have been living in denial, as the virus has invaded our community, now causing many of our neighborhoods–from Manhattan, where almost 20 percent of Black men are testing positive, to our nation’s capitol, where in Southeast D.C., where roughly 1 in 20 residents has been diagnosed with HIV–to exhibit AIDS rates as high as many nations on the African Continent. But maybe we, too, can flip the script on our attitudes and beliefs, taking charge and changing the course of America’s AIDS epidemic.
We now have a National AIDS Strategy that places the wellbeing of Black people front and center; we have health-insurance reform that provides care to the least among us; and now we have the building blocks of a microbicide gel that can reduce Black women’s risk of becoming infected.
Contact info:
Phill Wilson, President and CEO of the Black AIDS Institute, is available for interviews and press inquiries. Contact Mondella Jones at Mondellaj@blackAIDS.orgor (323) 681-4297. In Vienna call 0681-2048-3398.www.BlackAIDS.org
2010 Heroes and new date for gala concert and awards presentation.
June 9, 2010 — The Magic Johnson Foundation/Black AIDS Institute HIV/AIDS partnership is pleased to announce the 2010 inductees into the Heroes in the Struggle AIDS exhibition. Since 2001, Heroes in the Struggle has celebrated the achievements of individuals and organizations that have made heroic contributions in the fight against HIV/AIDS in Black communities. This year’s heroes include: President Bill Clinton, founder of the William J. Clinton Foundation and the 42nd President of the United States (accepting via video), award-winning actor Blair Underwood, Academy Award winning producer and director Lee Daniels, award winning CNN correspondent and producer Soledad O’Brien, AIDS activist Marvelyn Brown, and HIV/AIDS trailblazer Frank Oldham.
Heroes In The Struggle is a photographic tribute to Black people who have made heroic contributions in the fight against HIV/AIDS. Since it’s debut on World AIDS Day, Dec. 1, 2001, The Heroes In The Struggle exhibit has traveled around the world, raising awareness about HIV/AIDS, challenging individuals and institutions to get involved in their communities, and generating critical conversations about HIV testing, prevention, research, and treatment.
Each year, new Heroes are added into the exhibit. Portraits of this year’s heroes will be unveiled at a Gala 10th anniversary concert and awards presentation hosted by Cookie and Earvin ‘Magic’ Johnson on Wednesday, December 1, 2010. The theme of this year’s Gala is “We are Greater than AIDS.” Black people have been greater than any challenge we have confronted in the past. We were greater than the Middle Passage. We were greater than slavery. We were greater than Reconstruction. We were greater than Jim Crow. And, we are greater than AIDS as well. Proceeds from the gala will benefit the new Magic Johnson Foundation/Black AIDS Institute HIV/AIDS partnership.
The Magic Johnson Foundation/Black AIDS Institute HIV/AIDS partnership is a new long-term collaboration between the Magic Johnson Foundation and the Black AIDS Institute to fight HIV/AIDS in Black communities. The new partnership will focus on advocacy efforts related to the National AIDS Strategy, expansion of HIV awareness under the “Greater Than AIDS” campaign, expansion of HIV testing thru the Test 1 Million campaign, collaborative fundraising opportunities, and joint programming activities in conjunction with the 30th anniversary of HIV/AIDS in 2011.
“The Institute is proud to partner with MJF. We are at a critical crossroad in the history of the AIDS epidemic in this country. If we are to be serious about ending the AIDS epidemic in our communities, we have to come together, leverage our skills and talents, and maximize our resources. That is what this new partnership between MJF and the Institute is all about. I can’t think of a better way to launch our joint venture than celebrating 10 years of Black Heroes in the Struggle,” said Phill Wilson, President and CEO of the Black AIDS Institute.
On behalf of the Magic Johnson Foundation, we are excited to work more closely with the Black AIDS Institute – an organization that continues to be on the cutting edge in the fight against AIDS,” said Towalame Austin, President of the Magic Johnson Foundation. “HIV/AIDS is detectible, preventable, and treatable. Together, we bring 30 years of training and capacity building, advocacy and mobilization, awareness and education, and philanthropic experience in fighting HIV/AIDS in Black communities to this battle. The bottom-line is together, the Institute and MJF are stronger, better and more effective at ending AIDS in our community. That is what Heroes in the Struggle is about and that is what this partnership is all about.”
The Magic Johnson Foundation was established in 1991 as a single-disease organization that worked to raise funds for community-based organizations dealing with HIV/AIDS education and prevention programs. The Foundation has since expanded the mission to focus on developing programs and supporting community-based organizations that address broader educational, health and social needs of ethnically diverse, urban communities. Learn more at: www.magicjohnson.org.
About the Black AIDS Institute
Founded in May of 1999, the Black AIDS Institute is the only national HIV/AIDS think tank focused exclusively on Black people. The Institute’s Mission is to stop the AIDS pandemic in Black communities by engaging and mobilizing traditional Black leaders, institutions, and individuals in efforts to confront HIV. The Institute interprets public and private sector HIV policies, conducts trainings, offers technical assistance, disseminates information and provides advocacy and mobilization from a uniquely and unapologetically Black point of view.
Here’s the latest from the Black AIDS Institute on the Trump AIDS campaign. In support of the campaign there is a bid whist tournament. Visit http://www.trumpaids.org/ for a listing of all of the cities that are participating and for more information.
ATLANTA, Jan. 13 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — Thirty-four percent of new male HIV infections are in the 40-plus age range and 36 percent of new female HIV infections are in the 40-plus age range. Yet according to the Black AIDS Institute (www.blackaids.org), there have been very few campaigns targeting this population.
“Last year Washington D.C. reported that one in 10 residents between the ages of 40 and 49 had the virus,” says Black AIDS Institute Founder and CEO Phill Wilson. “That is an epidemic that rivals the worst AIDS epidemics in the poorest countries on the planet.”
The Black AIDS Institute has found an innovative way to help Black people ages 40 and up become more aware of HIV/AIDS while raising money to fight the disease in Black communities. The campaign is called Trump AIDS. The campaign uses the traditional Black pastime of bid whist, popular with Black Americans aged 40-plus, as a unique way to target this often overlooked HIV/AIDS demographic. The Martin Luther King Jr. weekend kick-off event in Atlanta, GA includes a Bid Whist Qualifying Tournament and Health Fair in partnership with local Atlanta organizations Sister Love and AID Atlanta.
“We are proud to partner with the Black AIDS Institute on this new and innovative awareness campaign to reach Black Americans,” says Sister Love Founder and President Dazon Dixon. “When two-thirds of the new HIV/AIDS cases among women in the US are Black, now more than ever it’s important to educate and reach every demographic of the Black community.”
The Health Fair includes free onsite HIV testing for all Tournament attendees, players and guests. All are welcome to attend.
“Rates of HIV in persons over 50 years of age are 12 times higher among African Americans than among whites,” according to Achieve Quarterly’s article on HIV Prevention by Timothy G. Heckman, Ph.D. “Older people do not consider themselves at risk. Physicians rarely talk to older patients about sex or other risk behaviors.”
“Trump AIDS is an unprecedented event that will provide Black people who are not actively engaged in the HIV battle with access to important health information,” says Black AIDS Institute COO Aron Myers. “This is a tremendous opportunity for the Atlanta community and good citizenship for all.”
“There’s no way to end the AIDS epidemic in Black communities without targeting this population,” adds Wilson. “The Black AIDS Institute has spent the last decade meeting Black folks where they are. Trump AIDS is a perfect example of identifying an indigenous past time in our community and using it to deliver culturally effective messaging. Everything about this effort, from the date and city where we launch the campaign to celebrity co-chairs—Danny Glover and Jackee Harry—celebrate Black culture.”
“I’m proud to be a Co-Chair of the TrumpAIDS campaign,” says Actor and AIDS Activist Danny Glover. “AIDS does not only affect a select demographic such as youth, women, or gays. It affects all groups of people. That is why Trump AIDS is such an important campaign for Black people to support and participate in. We must unite as a community — for the sake of our community. To do nothing is to be part of the problem.”
Trump AIDS launches in Atlanta, GA in partnership with the 7NO! Players.
“The 7NO! Players are excited to host the kick-off event in Atlanta, GA Martin Luther King Jr. weekend,’ says Montez Collins, President, 7NO! Players. “We look forward to welcoming all of our regular bid whist players and any new comers who are interested in learning more about the game.”
Participants are encouraged to get involved with ending the AIDS epidemic in the Black community while having fun and potentially winning prizes. For a complete list of cities hosting events and to register visit www.TrumpAIDS.org.
About the Black AIDS Institute
Founded in May of 1999, the Black AIDS Institute is the only national HIV/AIDS think tank focused exclusively on Black people. The Institute’s Mission is to stop the AIDS pandemic in Black communities by engaging and mobilizing Black institutions and individuals in efforts to confront HIV. The Institute interprets public and private sector HIV policies, conducts trainings, offers technical assistance, disseminates information and provides advocacy mobilization from a uniquely and unapologetically Black point of view.
In honor of World AIDS Day, I have posted several videos as well as a wealth of resources, at the end of this post, with links to articles/news about HIV/AIDS on this blog as well as organizations and news from around the globe.
Whether or not you wear a red ribbon, do something as simple as joining a Facebook group focused on HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention. The more we raise awareness on HIV and AIDS the greater our chances are for ending this worldwide epidemic.
Prime Minister Gordon Brown delivers a message of support for World AIDS Day 2009.
The miraculous power of AIDS medicine to give people the opportunity of a future where once there was no hope. (RED)
Share your stories, events, resources by commenting on this post. The further we reach out to our brothers and sisters around the world, the stronger our fight to bring an end to the spread of HIV/AIDS.
To go to an info page for The Black Gay Men’s Network click HERE or on graphic above.
THE STIMULUS PACKAGE
Black Gay Men’s Network 7th Annual Retreat Location: Eden Roc, Renaissance Beach Resort, Miami, FL Dates: October 1st – October 4th
MEDIA ALERT
August 21, 2009
Los Angeles, CA– The Black Gay Men’s Network, a professional network committed to creating soulful, loving connections among Black gay men, will host its seventh annual retreat Thursday, October 1 Sunday, October 4, 2009 at the Eden Roc Renaissance Beach Resort, in Miami, FL. Under the banner The Stimulus Package, this years retreat is geared to equip Black gay men with the tools necessary to stimulate their lives and the lives of others, as well as help them build bonds of friendship and expand their social and professional networks.
The four-day event will focus on some of main struggles confronting today’s Black gay men, including such themes as Self Discovery, Relationships & Dating, Sexuality, Health & Wellness, Politics, Spirituality and Finances. These issues will be addressed via a series of classes, workshops and Q&A panels conducted by a variety of noted experts in their respective fields.
Additionally, openings for qualified speakers/presenters are still available; contact information for interested persons is provided below.
“We are extremely excited about this year’s retreat,” says Phill Wilson, Founder and CEO of the Black AIDS Institute. “While this is a great opportunity for social bonding and fellowship, it also provides a unique setting for Black Gay men to collectively address some of the major issues affecting our community, and the greater Black community as a whole.”
The Black Gay Men’s Network is a product of the Black AIDS Institute, the nations first and only HIV/AIDS policy center dedicated to reducing HIV/AIDS health disparities by mobilizing Black institutions and individuals in efforts to confront the epidemic in their communities. The Stimulus Package retreat is a manifestation of the Networks mission of empowering Black gay men to develop strong alliances, improve their health status and help affect social change.
For more information about the The Stimulus Package retreat, and/or to inquire about participating as a presenter, please contact Charlie Baran at 213-353-2610 or visit thebgmnetwork.com/Home_Page.html.
Breakdown of Retreat Themes:
Self Discovery will place Black Gay men on the road to being more effective for themselves and others through self-recognition and introspection.
Relationships & Dating will give brothers perspective and clarity on dealing with their own relationships and dating habits; this will be broken into three sessions: Love, Broken Hearts and Fight or Flight?.
Sexuality will be a free-flowing, lunchtime discussion about sex, open to everyone.
Health & Wellness will give the Black Gay man insight and information about health issues in the Black Gay community.
Spirituality will discuss the following questions: How do I live a full life and reconcile my religion & sexuality? and How do we address the stigma and shame of homosexuality in the Black community?.
Politics will address the questions of Are We Equal? and Is Obama Doing Enough?.
Finances will discuss such topics as Budgeting & Planning, Donations & Volunteering and Succession Planning, among other vital financial issues.
Black Gay Men’s Network
The Black Gay Men’s Network Mission Statement The Black Gay Men’s Network draws its strength from Black gay men around the world who are committed to creating soulful, loving connections with other Black gay men to transform our society, improve our health status, and make the social change we seek. The Network is a community of successful black gay men who unite their collective expertise, vision and creativity to provide leadership within the Black gay community and society at large. Our goals are ambitious, but attainable, and worthy of our ancestors’ sacrifice.
Who are we?
The Black Gay Men’s Network is a product of the Black AIDS Institute’s Gay Men’s Retreat originated by its founder Phil Wilson and other Black gay men close to the Institute who saw the need to build the individual and collective power of Black gay men as resources to ensure the survival of the Black community. The Network is committed to promoting the active participation of self-actualized Black Gay Men in all aspects of community life. To accomplish this, the Network is made up of brothers supporting brothers coming together to create opportunities for career development, social connection, loving relationships, and educational outreach. The Network provides skills-building in leadership development, financial wealth, physical and mental health, and spiritual wellness.
Why we exist?
For many of our brothers, living and thriving as a black gay man can be a challenging endeavor when stigma and discrimination continue to affect our reality. Arguably, the relative invisibility of successful, healthy, black gay men available to young brothers struggling with their identity exacerbates the problems of integration, and visibility that we face. The Network provides professional, social and educational resources to men at various stages of life who are seeking a healthy community, peers and role models for success. The Network offers an environment of acceptance, professional development, social engagement, accessible information and training tools for black men to enhance their lives and enrich their spirits.
How will we accomplish this?
Each man in The Network comes to self- acceptance and empowerment in his own way and in his own time. But each of us is invested in ensuring that the next generation of black gay men has the benefit of our wisdom, experiences and judgment to use for their benefit. The Network creates social, business and educational environments for Black gay men that engender pride and wellness instead of reinforcing clichés of objectification and dysfunction. The Network seeks to bridge relationships between private industry, public and private philanthropy and our black, grassroots, not-for-profit, community-based organizations committed to enhancing our civil rights, social justice, physical, social, and professional well-being. Accordingly, members are expected to add to the synergy of The Network by offering their unique perspectives, personal talents and professional skills in creating our new paradigm: gay black men supporting gay black men.
About the Black AIDS Institute:
The Black AIDS Institute is the only national HIV/AIDS think tank in the U.S. focusing exclusively on Black people. The Institute offers training, technical assistance and capacity building; disseminates information and provides advocacy and mobilization from a uniquely and unapologetically Black point of view. The Institute’s motto is “Our People, Our Problem, Our Solution.” For more information, visit www.blackaids.org.
I received this information below in honor of National HIV Testing Day 2009 from the Black AIDS Institute. The written documentation was copied verbatim from the email communication and then formatted for this blog post.
Greater Than AIDSSM, a new national movement seeks to inspire hope and promote the possibility of change in the AIDS epidemic facing Black America through the united actions of individuals, families and communities. The campaign promotes individual action to prevent and reduce the spread of HIV, beginning with knowing one’s HIV status.
Passing the Test, a report released today by the Black AIDS Institute examines the challenges and opportunities of HIV testing in Black America. As compared with other race and ethnicities, Black Americans are both more likely to be infected with HIV and die of AIDS. Early diagnosis and treatment saves lives, yet many Black Americans living with HIV do not know their status with some studies showing that rate as high as one in two.
We have a stake in one another… what binds us together is GREATER THAN that drives us apart… if enough people believe in the truth of that proposition and act on it, then we might not solve every problem, but we can get something meaningful done…
Barack Obama, December 1, 2006 (World AIDS Day)
Test 1 Million, a corresponding campaign produced by the Black AIDS Institute, kicks off an effort to test one million people in one year by next National HIV Testing Day (June 27, 2010). Visit www.test1Million.org to pledge to be 1 in a Million.
ABOUT GREATER THAN AIDSSM Greater Than AIDSSM is a campaign of the Black AIDS Media Partnership (BAMP), a sustained commitment among major U.S. media companies to work together to address AIDS in Black America. The Kaiser Family Foundation is providing day-to-day management for BAMP, with technical support from the Black AIDS Institute, the Elton John AIDS Foundation, and a number of major civil society partners. The campaign is organized in collaboration with Act Against AIDS, a multi-year effort by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to help refocus national attention on the HIV/AIDS crisis in the United States.
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