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.
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is accepting grant applications to prevent the onset of substance abuse and the spread of HIV/AIDS among at-risk racial/ethnic minority young adults, ages 18-24, including minority college students.
A total of $40 million is available to engage colleges, universities, and community-level domestic public and private non-profit organizations in an array of capacity building activities, HIV testing, and direct services using evidence-based HIV and substance abuse prevention practices targeting at-risk minority young adults.
This grant program is one part of SAMHSA’s priority initiative to prevent substance abuse and mental illness. These grants will enable academic communities to develop more effective skills, strategies, and programs for promoting prevention and reducing HIV/AIDS.
Up to 27 grant awards for up to $300,000 per year per grantee are projected to be available for up to five years. Annual continuation awards will depend on the availability of funds, grantee progress in meeting project goals and objectives, timely submission of required data and reports, and compliance with all terms and conditions of awards.
WHO CAN APPLY: Colleges, universities, community-level domestic public and private nonprofit entities including federally recognized tribes, and tribal organizations are eligible to apply for SAMHSA’s FY 2010 HIV Capacity Building Initiative RFA No. SP-10-004.
HOW TO APPLY: Applications for No. SP-10-004 are available by calling SAMHSA’s Health Information Network at 1-877-SAMHSA7 [TDD: 1-800-487-4889] or by downloading the application at. http://www.samhsa.gov/Grants/2010/SP-10-004.aspx.
APPLICATION DUE DATE: All applications are due on May 17, 2010
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Applicants with questions about this program should contact Ms. Claudia Richards at (240) 276-0469 or via e-mail at 2010CBI@samhsa.hhs.gov. Grant management related questions should be routed to Eileen Bermudez, Division of Grants Management, Office of Program Services/SAMHSA, at (240) 276-1412 or via e-mail at Eileen.bermudez@samhsa.hs.gov.
March 26, 2010, MIAMI, FL (24-7 Press Release) — On Wednesday, April 14, 2010 @ 9:00 PM the legendary Tobacco Road will join forces once again with South Florida’s pop-rock band the Coffee House Gypsies in collaboration with Care Resource for a concert event to raise awareness about HIV and AIDS. Taking place just three days before the 22nd AIDS Walk Miami, the concert will kick off the 2010 AIDS Walk Week. The event will also feature live painting by Cuban artist, Celia Crespo, who will also be donating art to the cause.
Admission for this show will be $10 at the door or $7 for advanced tickets and a portion of all door and ticket sales will go to Care Resource. You must be 21 or older to attend. Tobacco Road is located at 626 South Miami Avenue, 33130.
The changing face of AIDS in this nation reflects a devastating number of people in South Florida. Fort Lauderdale ranks third and Miami ranks fourth in AIDS rates among metropolitan areas in the nation. As of 2008, more than 50,000 people were living with HIV/AIDS throughout Miami-Dade and Broward Counties combined. A high percentage of HIV positive residents in South Florida are not in care and hundreds more do not even know their HIV status. The state of the epidemic continues to grow and change; therefore, the support of the community for HIV education, prevention, research and treatment is crucial.
In an effort to increase awareness, participation, and support for HIV prevention, care, and treatment, The Coffee House Gypsies band will hold a concert at Tobacco Road for the general public and Care Resource of Miami. The event will feature live art and cameo appearances by other local bands singing with The Gypsies, such as: Phoenix/Nebulin, For The Record, Pretty On Paper, Tony Cruz of The
Bailouts and more.
The 22nd Annual AIDS Walk Miami fundraiser is scheduled for Saturday, April 17th, 2010. Sign up for the Walk today and help fight HIV/AIDS in your community. The International One-day fundraiser Dining Out For Life is also back for a 5th exciting year on Thursday, April 29, 2010. Dine Out and Help to Save Lives.
ABOUT THE COFFEE HOUSE GYPSIES
They have been active in Miami’s music scene for years and they have performed in New York City and all over South Florida. They were the only band to-date to win nine Status QuO South Florida Live Music Awards with nominations in ten categories. In 2009 South Florida’s Sun Sentinnel called the Miami band “a band of nomads who keep moving to different musical genres.” The Miami Herald said, “CHG’s sound is reminiscent of The Eagles, Fleetwood Mac and The Mamas and the Papas,” referring to them as “a quintessential jam band.” Miami New Times said “Fans of Fleetwood Mac, the Mamas and the Papas, and 97.3 FM should dig this group without question. Their harmonies, both vocal and instrumental, are soothing and give a generally upbeat feel.”
ABOUT CARE RESOURCE
CARE RESOURCE is a 501[c](3) non-profit, multi-cultural, community based AIDS service organization, which “Through education, prevention, research, care & treatment, and support service, Care Resource improves upon the health and overall quality of life of our diverse South Florida communities in need.” Rooted in the 1998 merger of Health Crisis Network (1983) and
Community Research Initiative (1989), Care Resource is now South Florida’s oldest and largest HIV/AIDS service organization and a true leader in the community. Since the beginning of the AIDS epidemic in South Florida and for more than 26 years, Care Resource has been dedicated to serving those suffering with or affected by HIV/AIDS and to meeting the changing demographics of the epidemic.
Online donations can be made to our AIDS Walk Miami team at http://www.AIDSWALKMIAMI.org. Check donations for Care Resource will be accepted at the CHG concert on April 14th. Please make donation checks payable to: CARE RESOURCE.
ABOUT TOBACCO ROAD
The legendary TOBACCO ROAD is Miami’s oldest and most famous live music venue, celebrating almost one hundred years in the business of live music. Located at 626 South Miami Avenue, Miami, FL 33130, conveniently near downtown Miami’s classy area of Brickell Village, the venue has played host to famous icons including Al Capone who frequented to establishment and Gloria Estefan who recently celebrated her birthday there. On the night of this special event Tobacco Road will serve All You Can Eat BBQ rib platters for just $10.99.
This event is a Tenement Hall Productions, LLC concert event in collaboration with Damian’s Dream Music, LLC of Miami along with Care Resource. This event is endorsed and hosted by Tobacco Road Miami and QOOL Shows and is promoted by THPMedia @ Tenement Hall Productions, GrungeKat Music Magazine, and Queen of The Scene Promotions of QueenoftheScene.net. Coffee House Gypsies concert art is sponsored by PEARL Arts & Crafts of Miami and I’ve Been Framed, Miami. Pork Pie Percussion is a proud sponsor of The Coffee House Gypsies band.
March 3, 2010 — South Africa Project (www.southafricaproject.org), the 2010 FIFA World Cup-centric initiative of Ubuntu Now (ubuntunow.org), has launched a “Wall of Supporters” on its website. As the international spotlight on South Africa continues to increase while the biggest single sports event on earth grows closer, the South Africa Project hopes to use the heightened visibility to raise global awareness of the nation’s deep-seated gender equality issues.
“The Wall is an easy way for anyone to become part of an extended part of a group of people that want to make a difference,” said Klaus Holzapfel, founder and president of Ubuntu Now. “We think that in addition to enjoying the World Cup, fans and non-fans alike should use this time of celebration to make a contribution and show their support for the people of South Africa.”
Prominently displayed on the South Africa Project’s website, the new “Wall of Supporters” is a collective graphic page on which contributors are offered a place on the wall in exchange for a minimum donation of $10. Besides allowing donors a way to publicly display their belief in the cause, each avatar provides a portal to the individual’s online presence. Via use of rollovers, viewers are able to access the supporter’s customizable Ubuntu Now profile, personal website and Facebook and Twitter, along with other social media links.
Every $10 Wall donation to the South Africa Project is utilized. For example, $70 provides a community with a rape prevention education and promotion kit, $400 can put a community mobilizer to work, and $1,000 sponsors a comprehensive community workshop on the subject. More information can be found at One Man Can (genderjustice.org.za/onemancan), a partner of the South Africa Project.
“It would be a travesty to gloss over the country’s issues at this crucial time,” said Holzapfel. “We can’t forget that 25 percent of South African men admit to sexual assault by force and that, according the BBC, a South African woman has a higher chance of being raped than she does of learning how to read and write.”
South Africa has arguably the highest incidence of rape on the globe, with over 50,000 reported cases and expert estimates of the total number of cases around 500,000. In addition, the country has one of the world’s highest rates of HIV infection, with 12.7 percent of South Africans infected, compared with 0.4 percent in the United States. And 1.4 million South African children have been orphaned as a result of the virus’ devastation.
South Africa Project was created by Colorado non-profit organization Ubuntu Now, which is dedicated to preventing rape and domestic violence through the promotion of gender equality among boys and young men. Additionally, the organization offers psychological support to victims of rape and domestic violence, including those who have contracted HIV/AIDS as a result of these crimes.
(Tuesday, November 10, 2009) NBC Nightly News “Celebrities Making a Difference” special week long series. Alicia Keys provides “a voice for the voiceless” to HIV/AIDS patients in Africa and India and shares her story with NBC’s Lester Holt.
In her interview with Lester Holt, R&B singer Alicia Keys visits Agape Orphanage in Durban, South Africa and a health clinic that the organization Keep A Child Alive sponsors. It was after witnessing the impact of HIV and AIDS, firsthand, during a trip to Africa in 2003 that motivated Alicia Keys to action. Together, Leigh Blake and Alicia Keys founded Keep A Child Alive providing free lifesaving medical assistance, resources, and support to families all over Africa and India that cannot afford anti-retroviral medication and related care.
The embed code provided on msnbc.com does not work with my WordPress page so I’m placing the link to the interview for you to watch below. Continue to read my reaction, and I encourage you to comment with yours.
NOTE: If the links do not work, go to the Making a Difference website and you’ll find links to each celebrity about 2/3 down the page under a heading “Celebrities Making A Difference.”
We know the statistics of HIV and AIDS are startling in Africa, but to hear, for example as stated in the video interview, that over 10% of the population has AIDS in South Africa. Further, over half of those suffering from HIV/AIDS do not have the means to obtain life sustaining medication just brings the point home all over again. In the US, while HIV/AIDS is still a crisis and at epidemic levels in different parts of the country, we are largely fortunate to have medication widely available so that people can actually live full lives with HIV now. When you step outside of the Western world, that is not always the case. My heart bled for the orphans in Durban who looked up to Alicia Keys as their own sister with sincere heartfelt gratitude for the contributions from Keep A Child Alive. If you look at the Keep A Child Alive website, you’ll read that it just takes a US dollar a day to make an impact. Think about that as we enter the holiday season. Sometimes, I’ve made charitable contributions in lieu of gifts. I’m definitely adding Keep A Child Alive to my list.
p.s. Didn’t Alicia just sing to our souls at the end with her a capella rendition of “Prelude to a Kiss?” What a beautiful song!
“NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams” regularly airs a “Making A Difference” segment whose focus is to showcase the “extraordinary efforts of ordinary people.” Beginning on Monday, November 9, 2009, NBC Nightly News hosted a special edition of this segment “Celebrities Making A Difference” highlighting philanthropic efforts from celebrities each night this week. Today (Friday), will close out this series, but I wanted to bring this information to you through my blog to encourage viewership and discussion.
Here’s a schedule from this week’s “Celebrities Making A Difference”…
MONDAY
(Bill Pugliano / Getty Images)
Jon Bon Jovi speaks to NBC Nightly News anchor Brian Williams about his Soul Foundation (www.jonbonjovisoulfoundation.org) established to help create affordable housing in the Philadelphia and New Jersey region where he grew up.
TUESDAY
(Kevin Mazur / WireImage)
Alicia Keys speaks to NBC’s Lester Holt about her Keep A Child Alive foundation (keepachildalive.org) aimed at providing lifesaving medication for those in Africa and India who have succumbed to HIV/AIDS.
WEDNESDAY
(Bryan Bedder / Getty Images)
Glenn Close tells NBC’s Anne Thompson about her ongoing work supporting New York’s Fountain House (www.fountainhouse.org) a place that assists the mentally ill.
THURSDAY
(David Livingston / Getty Images)
Halle Berry is interviewed by NBC’s Natalie Morales about her continued support of the Jenessee Center (www.jenesse.org) in Los Angeles that serves women who have been victims of domestic violence.
FRIDAY
(Larry Busacca / Getty Images)
Tim McGraw closes out this special series in an interview with NBC’s Amy Robach about the organization he co-founded with also famous wife Faith Hill called Neighbor’s Keeper Foundation (www.neighborskeeper.org) that provides ongoing aid to survivors from devastating 2005 Hurricane Katrina.
Each of these segments will follow in separate blog posts.
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.
What does Ghana, Cote d’Ivoire, Senegal, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo all have in common? They are the five countries to be visited by Healthy Black Communities, Inc.’s Chief Executive Officer LaMont “Montee” Evans within the next two months to exchange information on what works around HIV/AIDS prevention education and testing.
“Black AIDS Project – Africa is a community mobilization effort designed to encourage Africans in various countries to get educated and get tested for HIV, as it continues to devastate the Continent,” says LaMont “Montee” Evans, of Healthy Black Communities, Inc. – an international organization based out of Atlanta, Georgia. “This trip will allow our organization to highlight the devastating effects of HIV/AIDS in specific African countries and bring video and pictures back to the United States to mobilize resources to help turn the epidemic around in Africa.”
To date, HBC has been working in West Africa since 2004 (Ghana and Cote d’Ivoire) to mobilize villages and communities with the highest HIV incidence to get tested and provide HIV/AIDS 101. The focus of this five-country tour is to expand Black AIDS Project – USA’s components of mobilizing Black communities around education, testing, involvement and treatment. Due to limited country-by-country resources for treatment, HBC’s focus has been health education and disease prevention.
In order for this trip to be successful, HBC needs to raise $10,000 to purchase and transport medical supplies, clothes/shoes for youth and young adults; and purchase food for AIDS orphanages and poor villages in five countries.
Individuals are asked to log on to: www.hbc-inc.org/bap_africa.html to make their donation. For more information on Healthy Black Communities, Inc. or Black AIDS Project – USA/Africa, visit www.hbc-inc.org.
It could be as easy as doing an online search, watch a documentary, volunteer, get tested, talk to your children about AIDS, make a donation. I could go on and on.
50% of your donation (less Pay Pal fees) will go to Emerge Global charity (http://emergeglobal.org/). The other 50% funds the sweat equity I put into my work for your enjoyment. My hope is that one day I will be able to donate 100% to charity.
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