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FOR IMMEDIATE
RELEASE: Oct. 3rd, 2003 This Friday, Oct 3rd, BEBASHI will host its 7th John Allen Blue Award reception honoring acclaimed actress and AIDS fundraiser Ms. Sheryl Lee Ralph. The reception will kick off at 6:00 pm at The Wyndham Franklin Plaza Hotel, Horizon’s Ballroom, and will be emceed Philadelphia’s own Monique Braxton of NBC 10. Attendees include Alton Meade, Honorary Consul for Jamaica and presenter of the John Allen Blue Award. Mayor Street, Councilwoman Jannie Blackwell, and Councilwoman Blondell Reynolds Brown are expected to attend and make remarks. Sheryl Lee Ralph, actress, singer, producer, filmmaker, and single mother, is also referred as “one of the most important AIDS fundraisers in Hollywood.” In the 1990’s she found immense popularity on television in the role as the mother of Moesha (played by Brandy) that was featured in the UPN series titled Moesha. She is also the founder of the annual Jamerican Film Festival – a four- day program to showcase international and Jamaican talent and is called “one of the top ten film festivals in the world.” The John Blue Award was created in 1997 and is our opportunity to recognize and honor the long-term commitment of long-standing HIV/AIDS activists. It is also an opportunity to recognize that individual who, over the years, has shown outstanding leadership and support to the HIV/AIDS community, is exemplary, and services as a model for today’s youth. Previous recipients of the John Blue Award include Congresswoman Maxine Waters and noted HIV/AIDS researchers Drs. John and Loretta Jemmott. BEBASHI was
founded in 1985, and is the first AIDS service organization to address
the alarming increase of HIV/AIDS in the African American community
of Philadelphia. Today, BEBASHI continues to conduct street outreach,
but expanded to include free HIV, STD, and pregnancy testing and
counseling, HIV prevention education, case management for HIV+ individuals,
housing counseling, support groups for various lifestyles, and provides
emergency food for those infected and affected by HIV/AIDS. BEBASHI
serves 15,000 annually. Our mission is to provide culturally sensitive
health related information, direct service, research, and technical
assistance to the urban community. |
