National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day has been and will always be a grassroots effort that is shaped around the needs of those communities that work hard each and every year to make it a success. Annually, nearly 20,000 Blacks in the United States test positive for HIV, an alarming number, especially if you multiply it times the last ten years alone. That’s 100,000 Blacks who are now living with HIV or may have died from AIDS related complications. It’s time for us to do something different that inspires young and old, gay and straight, religious and non-religious to get on board with realizing the value and worth of Black life and acting accordingly.
National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day was founded by five national organizations funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in 1999 to provide capacity building assistance to Black communities and organizations: Concerned Black Men, Inc. of Philadelphia; Health Watch Information and Promotion Services, Inc.; Jackson State University – Mississippi Urban Research Center; National Black Alcoholism and Addictions Council; and National Black Leadership Commission on AIDS.
In the last seven years, the initiative has evolved, and so too has the governing body. The Strategic Leadership Council leads the initiative and provides guidance, direction, and strategic thought around how to get more Black community stakeholders involved and engaged. There are a total of 12 organizations that work together annually to make NBHAAD a success:
100 Black Men of America, Inc.
Advocates for Youth, Inc.
Alliances for Quality Education, Inc.
Balm in Gilead, Inc.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Huston-Tillotson University
Institute of the Black World
My Brother’s Keeper, Inc.
Multi-Cultural Addictions Network, Inc.
National Black Leadership Commission on AIDS
Rae Lewis Thornton Foundation, Inc.
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration
This initiative has had an array of national spokespersons—congressional leaders, faith based leaders, entertainers, actors, actresses, authors, radio personalities, and the list goes on. Some of the most notable spokespersons include President Barack Obama during his term in the Illinois Senate; Congresswoman Maxine Waters; Bishop T.D. Jakes; Radio Personality, Tom Joyner; former NAACP President and CEO, Kwesi Mfume; Congressman Elijah Cummings, Actor/Author, Hill Harper; and Screenwriter, Patrik Ian Polk.
For more information on National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, please visit www.nationalblackaidsday.org.
Source: National Black Aids Day
PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 15, 2012
Press/Media Contact: Jeffonda “Jae” Evans, Producer
(919) 538-1790
E-Mail: jfinestent@gmail.com
J-FINEST ENTERTAINMENT
PROUDLY PRESENTS
The Sponsorship Exclusive Viewing of
A TAProductionz
“SIGHT” CHRONICLES
Man’s Transformation From Darkness To Light
Written by Tomeka Allen
Directed by Tomeka Allen
This exclusive viewing is for potential sponsors only!
Press and Media send your credentials to the contact e-mail above for approval.
April 17th 2012
Arabian Nights Hookah Lounge
4645 A West Market Street
Greensboro, NC 27407
Doors Open at 6:30 pm Showtime at 7:00pm
*Please note for this event there will be No Smoking. There will be a Cash Bar.
“SIGHT” CHRONICLES was created to open the eyes of people, young adults, to the negative chains that have had them bound. It is a series of situations that target sexual abuse, addiction, depression, self-esteem, gluttony, self-inflicted abuse and others that hold us hostage in our own bodies. Awareness is also given to Breast Cancer and HIV/AIDS. All in a poetic rhythmic way that captivates and provokes your mind to change.
Playwright & Actress Tomeka Allen has attained her Bachelor’s degree in Drama at the University of NC in Greensboro. Ms. Allen has performed in over 30 theatrical and musical productions. Among her acting credits are A Mother’s Prayer now broadcasted on BET, Simply Simone by David Grapes, Big River the story of Huck and Tom, Steal Away, Death and the King’s Horseman by Wole Soyinka, and For Colored Girls Who’ve Considered Suicide when the Rainbow is Enuf by Ntozake Shange.
Though raised in Oxford NC, Tomeka now lives in Greensboro NC where she currently writes, directs and performs locally. Her lifelong goal is to inspire and skillfully open up the weary eyes of men and women everywhere. Tomeka says, “The world doesn’t know it yet, but she’s the face and voice they’ve all been waiting for”. So look out world, here she comes!!!!
Purpose and Facts:
J-Finest Entertainment is planning a College Tour to promote prevention, to educate and to create awareness. We will involve all organizations, which assist and educate individuals that are suffering or may know someone that may be encountering the situations that “Sight” Chronicles highlights, within the touring cities. North Carolina is the 1st state in which the tour will begin.
We Need Funds For:
Marketing & Promoting Website Creation
Compensation for Actors Printing of Programs
Travel Expenses Props
Set Construction/Design Lighting/Sound
Wardrobe Hair/Make-up
Message from Director Tomeka Allen:
Have you ever wondered what’s really going on? “SIGHT” Chronicles opens up the viewers’ eyes to what goes on behind the scenes of our struggles. It sheds light to the questions and diseases that plague a lot of us in everyday life. From the oblivious black woman who doesn’t get mammograms all the way down to the promiscuous ones that aren’t analyzing who they sleep with and are not getting tested for STD’s regularly, this production offers it all. From the man that’s so angry, or the mother that’s so depressed, all the way down to the woman who eats constantly, nothing is left out of this production. It not only sheds the light to it in a very raw way, but it leads us on a path to wellness, health, and spiritual renewal. Let SIGHT take you on this journey, and I promise you, you won’t leave the same way you came.
Admission is by invitation only. There is no admission fee. Please contact the Producer at the above contact information, if you and/or a representative from your company would like to attend.
All other sponsors and/or contributors please contact the Producer at the above contact information.
All donations gratefully accepted.