Awareness
By Sharon Egiebor
DALLAS – Three years ago, Dona Gassaway Mitchell heard the news that 50 percent of the new HIV infections in teenagers were among blacks, and that the HIV rate was especially high in teenagers who lived in two Dallas zip codes. “It touched my heart,” said Mitchell. “My deal was to get busy and to start using the talent that God gave me. I starting writing plays on HIV/AIDS for children and young adults.” This month, Mitchell and Reach Out Lift UP Family Ministry are producing a three-week HIV/AIDS campaign that will target African American youth, men and women. The event kicks off Aug. 12 with a diaper and wipe drive for Bryan’s House, which provides care for children infected with HIV/AIDS and children affected by HIV/AIDS. Other activities include two youth rallies are scheduled, a Man2Man Talk Show with free haircuts, a drama production and a Black Woman AIDS Summit. “We’re trying to raise awareness of the African American community so there will be no more excuses,” said 41-year-old married mother of two. “The excuses include, ‘I don’t know anything about it,’ ‘No one told me.’ My goal is to educate the African American community so they can become safe." Within five years, Mitchell’s goal is to decrease the rate of HIV/AIDS in African Americans while increasing the awareness of the disease and the participation by HIV/AIDS agencies in more programming. Mitchell, who has a degree in computer science and business management, has written more than 10 plays. She holds auditions at an urban shopping mall and encourages teens and young adults with limited or no acting experience to join the cast. “We have a group of youth and adult volunteers from all across Dallas. These are typical kids who are not drama majors or anything. We open up the audition citywide at the Southwest Center Mall and we do our casting from there.” Mitchell produced her first AIDS play in December 2004. Play titles include: · AIDS in the Hood · The Rising Star · The Broken Bride · HIV AIDS Rise Among our Children, Part 1 and Part 2 · AIDS Goes to College. · Eyes on Heaven The HIV/AIDS-issue plays are part of her organization’s social issue drive. Other topics include mental health, homelessness and suicide, she said. “I can’t do my AIDS plays all the time because it would stretch me thin,” she said. “August taps into the summer time. I wanted the kids to be aware of the right choices to make when school starts.”
August 12-31: Baby AIDS Pamper and Baby Wipe Drive, contact Dona Mitchell for drop off locations at 972-748-4648 or email August 13: Youth Rally Against AIDS, 11 a.m.-noon, Lake West Family YMCA, 3737 Goldman St, Dallas TX 75212, Free Admission, AIDS Drama, AIDS Educator, Entertainment and Door Prizes August 14: Youth Rally Against AIDS, 11 a.m.-noon, Martin Luther King Recreation Center, 2901 Pennsylvania Avenue Building E, Dallas TX 75215. Free Admission. AIDS Drama, AIDS Educator, Door Prizes August 18: Man2Man Talk Show, 2-4p.m., Tommie Allen Recreation Center, 7071 Bonnie View Rd, Dallas TX 75216. Free Admission. AIDS Drama, Keynote Speaker: Former Mayor Pro Tem-Don Hill, I Won’t Complain Ministry Testimony, Free Men Hair Cut Giveaways, By DeZine Entertainment. August 21: AIDS Drama Explosion, 6-9 p.m., African American Museum at Historic Fair Park, 3536 Grand Avenue, Dallas TX 75315. Free Admission. Drama Explosions-series of plays, poetry and monologues, entertainment, and MOSAIC Services. Sponsored in part by The Dallas African American Museum. August 30: Black Women AIDS Summit, 6:30-8:30pm, Paul Quinn College, Grand Lounge-Student Union Building, 3837 Simpson Stuart Road, Dallas. Free Admission, Keynote Speakers: Dallas City Council Member District 7 -Carolyn R. Davis, and UT Southwestern Assoc. Professor Obstetric and Gynecology- Dr. Barbara Cambridge, AIDS Drama, SAAVED Ministry, Women Praying For Christ Ministry, St. Luke AIDS Ministry, entertainment, and door prizes. Sponsored in part by Paul Quinn College Health and Wellness Services.
· HIV and AIDS on the Rise Among Our ChildrenCalendar of Events