Date: Tue, 1 Feb 2011 10:15:36 -0500
From: Stacy DucK
Subject: FEB 7th-11th Annual National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day
Dear Chatham Community,
As the Director of the Chatham Social Health Council, I would like to share some information about NBHAAD and what it means. Please stop by the Council at 401B North Ivey Ave if you would like more information or would like to
be tested.
HIV/AIDS remains a crisis in black communities throughout the United States of America. The continued severity of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in black communities cannot be underestimated. Our challenge in 2011 is to stem the tide and save the lives of Black people locally, regionally, nationally, and internationally!
For 11 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 Council* who partners with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 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. *Healthy Black Communities, Inc.* serves as the NBHAAD 2011 Annual Chairperson and the organization responsible for coordinating communications, material development and dissemination, and brand management.
Public figures such as *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*have all contributed their advocacy as spokespersons to this effort.
For 2011, we are mobilizing communities to be the voice and face. The theme for 2011 is *It takes a village to fight HIV/AIDS!* with the hopes that we challenge the mindset that Black people are disposable. We are asking Blacks all over 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 spreading the HIV/AIDS message to their families and communities.
*National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day 2011: Get educated! Get tested! Get involved! Get treated! *For more information on *National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day*, log onto www.blackaidsday.org. Or contact the Chatham Social Health Council. We can do a presentation or testing event in your community, church, home, etc…. Please contact Charlene Yancey or Lisa Walker at 919-742-3762.
Thank you!
Stacy Duck
Executive Director
Chatham Social Health Council
(919)742-3762 office
(877)560-9705 toll free