jazzmyne

PUBLIC RELATIONS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

February, 2001

MINORITY AIDS PROJECT AND UNITY FELLOWSHIP CHURCH

CO-HOST NATIONAL BLACK HIV/AIDS AWARENESS DAY IN LOS ANGELES

Joining a national effort to bring even further awareness to the critical issues of HIV/AIDS, the Minority AIDS Project (MAP) and Say Sistah…S.T.O.P In the Name of love, a federally funded program designed for African American women, will host a community forum on February 23, National Black HIV / AIDS Awareness Day. To be held at the Unity Fellowship Church Social Justice Center, at 5148 W. Jefferson Blvd in Los Angeles, activities will begin at 10:00 a.m. For more information, contact MAP at (323) 936-4949 or toll free at (877) 867-1446.

National Black HIV / AIDS Awareness Day is an opportunity for the nation’s community based organizations to mobilize against this pandemic and encourage African Americans to be tested for HIV. MAP and Say Sistah join organizations and health care professionals in Los Angeles and around the country, galvanizing the African American community and distributing information to bring attention to the fact that African Americans are being infected with HIV / AIDS at a higher rate than any other ethnic group.

What was once believed to be a disease exclusively affecting gay white males, AIDS / HIV is devastating African American men and women between the ages of 25 and 44 at a rate disproportionate to other Americans. According to the Center for Disease Control, unless substantive, proactive efforts are taken, AIDS will be the leading cause of death for African Americans within a generation.

MAP and Say Sistah present us with a valiant opportunity to help do our part. Join them on National Black HIV/ AIDS Awareness Day on February 23 “uniting in the fight for our lives.”