In This Issue

This week we profile Walgreens, the Black AIDS Institute's 15th anniversary Heroes in the Struggle corporate honoree. I'm a Chicago boy and Walgreens is a Chicago company. Now, if you've ever been to Chicago you know that the Windy City is a city of neighborhoods. In a neighborhood—or "on the block," as we used to say—people develop relationships; they support each other. Indeed, the block either thrives or declines based on whether or not people are good neighbors.

The Walgreens I remember from my childhood was an integral part of our community. For poor families living in Algeld Gardens, there wasn't a lot of going to the doctor. Indeed, we often went to Walgreens before—and sometimes instead of—the doctor. So I admit that honoring Walgreens is personal.

Walgreens epitomizes what being a good corporate neighbor means. The company has a history of responding to the needs of the neighborhoods in which they do business and their employees live. They certainly walk the talk when it comes to HIV/AIDS. From establishing more than 700 HIV-focused pharmacies, to aggressively participating in HIV testing initiatives, to energetically supporting Greater Than AIDS, Walgreens' commitment to fighting HIV is heroic. People living with HIV often go to Walgreens before they see the doctor. Indeed you if you ever need to know where to find the nearest Walgreens, just look for the corner of happy and healthy.

The Black AIDS Institute is proud to induct Walgreens into the Heroes in the Struggle Hall of Fame on May 20th a the Directors Guild of America in Los Angeles. I hope you will join us in celebrating this remarkable corporate citizen. To buy tickets or find out more information about Walgreens or the other 2014 Heroes In the Struggle, go to www.BlackAIDS.org/HITStickets.

Also in this issue of the Black AIDS Weekly, we introduce you to Jim Downey, one of the winners of our early-bird drawing for the Drive Out AIDS, Win a New Car raffle for the 2014 Kia Forte or a Carnival Cruise for two. There are only seven more days until we hold the final drawing at the Heroes in the Struggle Gala. If you purchase a raffle ticket and refer someone else who also buys a raffle ticket, we will give you a second raffle ticket for free. Go here or call 213-353-3610, ext. 107to enter a chance to win.

It is with great excitement that we send congratulations and best wishes to our friend Greg Millett, who will soon leave the Centers for Disease Control to become a VP at AmFAR and Director of that organization's Washington, D.C., public policy office. May is Hepatitis Awareness Month. We run a piece by Ron Valdeserri that includes a link to the CDC's online risk assessment tool that we encourage everyone to take. Finally, the CDC and the Justice Department have published a review of the laws in each state that criminalize HIV. Our friends at AIDS.gov report.

Yours in the struggle,

Phill