City of Compton to Host First Annual National HIV Testing Day
Friday June 27th is National HIV Testing Day (NHTD), a day set aside to raise awareness about HIV testing and encourage Americans to find out their HIV status. In the United States, nearly 1.1 million people are living with HIV and almost one in six don't know they are infected.
The mayor, city manager and members of the Compton, Calif., city council are making a major effort to address HIV/AIDS and other health issues in that city. The City of Compton, in partnership with the Compton Blue Line Farmers Market, the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA or Metro), Car Pros Kia of Carson and the Black AIDS Institute, is sponsoring the First Annual National Testing Day in the City of Compton on Thursday, June 26, 2014 from 12:00 pm until 7:00 pm at the MLK Transit Center, Compton Blue Line Station located at 101 E. Palmer Street.
This National HIV Testing Day event is the first event in a year-long effort by the City of Compton to engage residents and encourage individuals to get tested and PLWHA to get treatment. The city is donating space, billboard coverage and television airtime to support the activities.
"We are pleased to collaborate with Black AIDS Institute and some of our local businesses to fight HIV/AIDS in our city. I'm excited about this event and look forward to future efforts on this topic," said city manager G. Harold Duffey. "Community wellness is important to the City of Compton and its citizens, and we want people to know how important it is to take care of themselves."
In addition to free HIV testing, there will be life-saving information, free giveaways and a free raffle for a 5-day, 4-night Carnival Cruise. Also the winner of the Drive Out AIDS Win a New Car raffle sponsored by Car Pros Kia of Carson will be selected. Because of the generous donation of a new 2014 Kia Forte from CarPros Kia of Carson and prized salesman, Alvin "Alabama" Lovett, every dollar raised from the raffle goes directly to the fight against AIDS.
"In the end, HIV/AIDS is a health matter. So it is only fitting that the testing day event is being held in conjunction with the Compton Farmers' Market," says Compton City councilwoman Yvonne Arceneaux. Located in the heart of Compton and sponsored by Wells Fargo, Cal Fresh, T Mobile and Metro, the Blue Line Farmers' Market features the best in California grown, seasonal fruits and vegetables, gourmet specialty foods, handmade crafts, and cool fashions.
"Partnerships, like the one we are creating in Compton, are crucial to ending the AIDS epidemic in our communities," says Phill Wilson, President and CEO of the Black AIDS Institute. "It is through the commitment of community leaders courageous enough to step forward and stand together that we will end the AIDS epidemic." Duffey agrees, "This is just the beginning of developing a long-lasting relationship with the Black AIDS Institute. With strong leadership of our council and Mayor and by engaging and informing the community, Compton is Greater Than AIDS!"
For more information about National HIV Testing Day, visit greaterthan.org, or the First Annual City of Compton National HIV Testing Day, call (213) 353-3610 or email
Gerald Garth is a Los Angeles-based writer, actor and accountant who works for The Black AIDS Institute.