Los Angeles Marks National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day

On Friday, Feb. 7, 2014, cities, organizations, businesses and individuals around America observed National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day (NBHAAD). NBHAAD is a community-mobilization initiative targeting Blacks across the African diaspora that speaks to four focal points, reflected in the tagline: Get Educated, Get Tested, Get Involved and Get Treated.

In the Los Angeles area, elected officials from every level of government became involved. Among their efforts, mayors from two cities, elected officials from three cities and three businesses—Bayou Grille, Car Pros Kia and Carnival Cruises—collaborated to offer Angelenos a number of ways to commemorate the day.

At Car Pros Kia of Carson, Phill Wilson, president and CEO of The Black AIDS Institute, pronounced, "We now have the tools to end" HIV/AIDS, but "the epidemic's not over." Through joint efforts with businesses and organizations such as these, the fight continues, he said. Alvin "Alabama" Lovett of Car Pros Kia encouraged other businesses to support the fight against AIDS. "Let's get the word out," Lovett said. "The battle is still being fought."

Carson City Council member Lula Davis-Holmes encouraged businesses to "do something positive" and "educate, reach out and inform residents." Carson Mayor Jim Dear noted that while awareness of HIV has risen, it is "not high enough." Compton City Council member Janna Zurita advised, "We don't have to suffer; just be aware."

U.S. Rep. Maxine Waters, representing the 43rd District, expressed delight at the creative efforts to increase awareness and promote treatment. She stated, "To the degree our communities are healthy, our businesses can be healthy."

Representatives of U.S. Rep. Janice Hahn, from California's 44th District, and state Sen. Holly J. Mitchell also attended. District representative Michelle Chambers, from Hahn's office, presented a Certificate of Congressional Commendation to The Black AIDS Institute, as well as to Lovett and Car Pros Kia, in honor of NBHAAD and in recognition of their commitment to health and dedication to the community.

Car Pros Kia of Carson and The Black AIDS Institute are collaborating to offer the "Drive Out AIDS, Win a New Car" raffle, whose entrants have a chance to win a 2014 Kia Forte. Early registrants were automatically entered into the drawing for a five-day, four-night Carnival Cruise to the entrant's choice of the western Caribbean, Bahamas or Baja Mexico. Tori Johnson-Payne of Los Angeles was the winner.

At the Bayou Grille in Inglewood Friday evening, experts conducting the "Black Love = Safe Love" forum taught participants about the newest HIV-prevention tools and facilitated a "speed dating"-style educational format in which participants moved from expert to expert. Facilitated by Kieta D. Mutepfa, a senior community health-program representative at the UCLA CARE Center, the "speed dating" armed participants with a range of information, from fundamental knowledge such as how the virus is spread to more advanced concepts such as pre-exposure prophylaxis. DJ Lavell C. provided the music, and Starlett Quarles of The Dialogue radio show emceed.

Inglewood Mayor James T. Butts Jr. addressed the importance of perseverance: "There's something to be said about staying with the fight. But being able to fight and see results, significant results, is what we have here. We're not done yet, but we are continually fighting."

Inglewood City Council member Alex Padilla and Dr. I. Jean Davis joined Butts. Representatives from the Magic Johnson Foundation and Covered California also attended. The JWCH Institute conducted free HIV testing at both events.

Knowing the facts about HIV/AIDS is one thing, but knowing about the tools and resources to counteract the disease's spread is another. On National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, local businesses, elected officials and community members proved that unity provides a strong foundation in the ongoing fight to end the epidemic.

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