Black AIDS Institute Holds 15th-Anniversary Heroes in the Struggle Gala

On May 20, 2014, The Black AIDS Institute celebrated its 15th anniversary as it hosted Heroes in the Struggle, the gala reception and awards presentation sponsored in part by Merck, Walgreens, Gilead Sciences and Janssen Pharmaceuticals.

Held at the Directors Guild of America complex in Los Angeles, the star-studded event featured a photo exhibit and tribute to people who have made heroic contributions to the fight against HIV/AIDS. The exhibit was topped off by an awards ceremony.

The evening began on the red carpet as OWN Show host Karamo Brown welcomed some of Hollywood's most admired names and notable figures, including actor-activist Jussie Smollett, a star of Fox's upcoming, highly anticipated series Empire; Derrick Gordon, the first openly gay NCAA Division I basketball player; actor Tracie Thoms, a former star of the Broadway musical Rent; and former NFL football player-turned-gay activist Wade Davis.

Inside the complex a Hall of Fame was created, consisting of photographic portraits of 75 honorees—artists, caregivers, activists, advocates, the faithful, policymakers, drum majors and entrepreneurs—that have won the Heroes in the Struggle award in previous years. All of them—including such celebrated public figures as Coretta Scott King, Bishop T.D. Jakes and President Bill Clinton—were photographed by some of the nation's greatest photographers, including Kwaku Alston, Duane Cramer, Darien Davis, Greg McNeal, Matthew Jordan Smith and Sharon Farmer. A silent auction of art—from photography and acrylic to giclée and sculpture—produced by more than a dozen artists from across the nation took place, with proceeds benefiting the Institute.

Actors Alimi Ballard and Vanessa A. Williams hosted the awards presentation, which honored Academy Award-winning actress Mo'Nique; Anthony S. Fauci, M.D., director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases; The Voice finalist and HIV-positive health advocate Jamar Rogers; and corporate hero Walgreens. Notable figures including Douglas M. Brooks, director of the Office of National AIDS Policy, spoke during the ceremony.

"We had no money, no offices, no real prospects, but we did have an idea: We believed that if we were going to end the AIDS epidemic in Black communities, we had to figure out a way to get Black leaders, institutions and individuals engaged in the battle in a robust way," recalled Institute founder, President and CEO Phill Wilson.

Actress Jenifer Lewis hosted the after party, where she shared the stage with many singers and musicians.

At the end of the night, the Drive Out AIDS raffle drawing for the 2014 Kia Forte car—sponsored by Car Pros Kia of Carson—and a five-day, four-night Carnival cruise took place.

Gerald Garth is a Los Angeles-based writer, actor and accountant who works for The Black AIDS Institute.