Letters to the Editor

January 17, 2015

Letters to the Editor

To the Editor:

HIV/AIDS is a crisis out of control in Black communities throughout the United States. The continued severity of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Black communities cannot be underestimated. Our challenge in 2015 is to stem the tide and save the lives of Black people locally, regionally, nationally, and internationally!

For 15 years now, February 7 has been designated as National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day (NBHAAD). NBHAAD is a national HIV testing and treatment community mobilization initiative designed to encourage Blacks across the United States and Territorial Areas to get educated, get tested, get treated, and get involved with HIV/AIDS, as it continues to devastate Black communities. Currently, NBHAAD is directed, planned and organized by a group known as the Strategic Leadership Committee, which partners with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration to mobilize communities and address specific issues in regards to local epidemics and best practices that will influence the course of HIV in Black communities across the country. GOMOJO serves as the NBHAAD 2015 and is taking responsibility for coordinating communications, material development and dissemination, and brand management.

Public figures such as President Barack H. Obama, Hillary Clinton Congressman Elijah E. Cummings; Tony Dungy; Idris Elba; Kimberly Elise; Lance Gross; Hill Harper; Taraji P. Henson; Tom Joyner; Congresswoman Barbara Lee; Chris Bridges (aka Ludacris); Percy Miller (aka Master P); Tangi Miller; Patrik-Ian Polk; General Colin Powell; Sheryl Lee Ralph; Gloria Reuben; Romeo; Rev. Edwin Sanders; Alicia Keys; Wyclef: Tavis Smiley; and Congresswoman Maxine Waters have all contributed their advocacy as spokespersons to this effort.

For 2015, we are mobilizing communities to be the voice and face. The theme for 2015 is I Am My Brother/Sister’s Keeper: Fight HIV/AIDS! with the intention to ensure that Black people unite and take care of one another. We are asking Black community stakeholders concerned about HIV/AIDS in their community to become the voice for change by submitting a mini-video through the website that is centered on one or all four of the objectives of NBHAAD – education, testing, involvement, and/or treatment. All people, regardless of lifestyle or HIV status, can and should get involved with developing and sharing an HIV/AIDS message to their families and communities.

National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day 2015: Get educated! Get tested! Get involved! Get treated! For more information on National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, visit: www.gomojo.us

Sincerely,

Michele Reed

WOW,

www.gomojo.us

702-427-1611

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