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BEBASHI
TO CELEBRATE NATIONAL BLACK HIV/AIDS AWARENESS DAY BY JOINING "FIGHTING
HIV THROUGH R&B" CAMPAIGN Philadelphia, PA (February 5, 2002) - With the goal of encouraging regional residents to learn their HIV status, BEBASHI (Blacks Educating Blacks About Sexual Health Issues) has partnered with the nationwide "Fighting HIV Through R&B" campaign to enhance its local testing and prevention education initiatives. Launched in September 2001, the campaign teams Agouron Pharmaceuticals with concert promoter Haymon Entertainment and BEBASHI in an effort to give away tickets to popular concerts as incentives for individuals to get tested for HIV. The partnership was made possible through the efforts of author and public relations guru Terrie Williams, founder of The Stay Strong Foundation, a national movement to educate and empower youth. The foundation is also a working partner with BEBASHI and the R&B campaign. Thus far in the "Fighting HIV Through R&B" campaign, more than 2000 tickets have been donated for shows including tour dates by soulful balladeer Luther Vandross and pop sensation Destiny's Child. Another $500,000 worth of concert tickets will be given away in 2002 and will include shows by R&B crooner Usher and rapper DMX. The parties have chosen February 7th, National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, to kick off local campaign activity. BEBASHI has several events planned for the day, including participation in "BET Speaks Out," a forum on African-American social issues hosted by BET (Black Entertainment Television) at 10:00 a.m. at William Penn High School; free HIV testing at 12:00 p.m. hosted by Women's Christian Alliance at (1722-42 Cecil B. Moore Avenue); and at 5:00 p.m., BEBASHI will participate in a community forum and panel discussion hosted by North Central Philadelphia Health Coalition at Temple University Student Activities Center (Broad and Ontario Streets). BEBASHI will use the entire month of February to honor National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day. Activities planned include a prevention education visit to Drexel University's Creese Student Center on February 6th at 12:00 p.m. (32nd and Chestnut Streets) and a February 8th appearance at the All-Star Weekend Hoops Magic Celebrity Basketball Tournament presented by BET and Comcast, where the agency will receive a $5,000 donation in honor of its 16 years of work supporting individuals in the African-American community affected by HIV/AIDS. A dynamic presentation by nationally known HIV/AIDS educators J.L. King and Renee Hartford called "House on Fire" is also planned for February 16th from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at Community College of Philadelphia's Bonnell Building. The presentation will be held in conjunction with a women's health fair sponsored by Agouron Pharmaceuticals. "Fighting HIV Through R&B" is the brainchild of Tony Wafford, community advisory board chair for the HIV Prevention Trials Network's Los Angeles office. Wafford came up with the innovative campaign in response to the increasingly stark statistics about the prevalence of HIV/AIDS in the African-American community, which indicate that among African-Americans aged 25 to 44, AIDS is the leading cause of death of men and third leading cause of death for women. "I came up with this idea because I thought it was a good way to get people tested. I couldn't just sit back, watch and do nothing. People are dying because of a lack of knowledge." He personally approached Agouron and Haymon Entertainment (a former client of Terrie Williams) and they immediately pledged their support. Williams then brought BEBASHI to the attention of Wafford. BEBASHI joined the campaign to further its goals of educating African-Americans about HIV disease and aggressively advocating prevention and risk reduction methods. "HIV disease is rampant in the black community and we have got to take charge of sexual health," said Gary J. Bell, Executive Director of BEBASHI. "African-Americans represent 73% of the new AIDS cases reported locally in 2001 and 54% of new HIV infections nationally in 2000. In the Philadelphia area, we make up 77% of all pediatric cases. There is no greater threat to our community right now." Wafford, Williams and Bell are all parents with sons and daughters ranging in age from 12 to 25, so the issue is one of personal importance. "These are troubling times and it is critical to reach out to our kids," said Williams at a recent Stay Strong panel discussion. "Teens need to know how imperative it is to make safe and healthy choices about their bodies." Wafford echoed her sentiments during a December test results/ticket disbursement event at a Los Angeles hair salon. "What do young people like? How do people distract themselves? Entertainment. I figured, lets get 'em tickets and get 'em tested." According to Bell, BEBASHI's local role in the "Fighting HIV Through R&B" campaign will be multi-faceted. "The agency's prevention staff will administer HIV screenings from its headquarters in Philadelphia and other locations throughout the city. Upon returning to pick up screening results, individuals will receive the concert tickets as part of the post-test counseling sessions. BEBASHI will assign social workers from the agency and make medical care referrals for anyone testing positive." General encouragement to get tested will be channeled through BEBASHI's monthly radio program on WDAS-AM (third Tuesdays at 7:00 p.m.) and its annual events and fundraisers such as this spring's "Jam4Life" dance party, the "Voices of Compassion" gospel showcase this summer, and the "John Allen Blue Memorial Awards" held in December. By the end of 2002, more than 10,000 tests will be facilitated as part of the campaign. At a 2001 Destiny's Child concert in Seattle, 198 concertgoers were tested for HIV with 13 positive results. According to an Agouron spokesperson, all are currently receiving treatment. Exact dates,
times and shows for the local leg of the campaign will be announced
in the coming weeks. Check local listings for announcements or visit
www.bebashi.org for updates.
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