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Faith Leaders Declare “We’ve Come Too Far To Turn Back Now”

Host Regional Symposium on HIV/AIDS for Faith Leaders During 30th Year of AIDS Crisis

 

CHICAGO – One month after the nation marked the 30th year of the HIV/AIDS epidemic, the Metropolitan Interdenominational Church Technical Assistance Network (MICTAN), a national clergy-led capacity-building faith initiative funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in collaboration with local partners will host a regional symposium entitled “We’ve Come Too Far to Turn Back Now” to equip clergy and faith leaders with the knowledge and skills they need to tackle the HIV/AIDS crisis among African Americans.

 

The Symposium will take place on Thursday, July 28, 2011, from 8:30 am to 3:30 pm. at the DuSable Museum of African American History, 740 East 56th Place, Chicago Illinois. This FREE event is open to faith leaders in Chicago and regional communities both near and far, including Rockford, Racine, Waukegan, Gary, IN., Hammond, IN., and Milwaukee, WI.

This one-day event provides an opportunity for faith leaders to gain exposure to the most up-to-date local and national HIV/AIDS health statistics; understand the social determinants that increase vulnerability of transmission among African Americans; and hear an inspirational call to action from nationally renowned preacher Rev. Dr. James A. Forbes, President and Founder of the Healing of the Nations Foundation of New York and Senior Minister Emeritus of the Riverside Church, New York Jr. Also, distinguished faculty Dr. Mindy Fullilove of Columbia University in New York City will lecture on the Social Determinants of HIV/AIDS among African-Americans.

During the Symposium, faith leaders are encouraged to register for a series of four monthly follow-up seminars facilitated by renowned experts. The seminars provide a forum where leaders can study public health principles and engage in open discussion and reflection to develop and implement a community mobilization plan targeting HIV/AIDS in their local area.

The four monthly leadership seminars are:

  • The Social Determinants of HIV/AIDS among African Americans—Part 2:  Environment and the Social Foundation of Health—Restoring the Beloved Community. Presenter Dr. Robert Fullilove, Columbia University, Mailman School of Public Health   (August 19, 2011);
  • Sexuality & Sexual Health: Confronting Contradictions, Cultivating Conversations to Heal Our Communities. Presenter Dr. Gail Wyatt, UCLA Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences (September 23, 2011);
  • First Century Theology, 21st Century Ministry: Contextual Bible Study for Contemporary Realities. Presenter Dr. Cheryl Anderson, Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary   (October 21, 2011); and
  • Radically Loving, Radically Inclusive, Radically Reconciling: Core Values for WHOSOEVER Ministry. Presenter: Rev. Edwin Sanders, Metropolitan Interdenominational Church (November 18, 2011).

For more information about the Symposium or the leadership training seminars, call Rev. Clifford A. Smith at MICTAN, (615) 277-1762.

To register for this FREE event, call toll free (888) 761-3876

Local contacts are Rev. Booker Vance, (773) 994-2700 or Min. Debra Wilson (312) 405-7810.