Back of the Line: The State of AIDS Among Black Gay Men in America

I am reading an excellent publication from the Black AIDS Institute, "Back of the Line:  The State of AIDs Among Black Gay Men in America 2012:"
"No population in the developed world has been as heavily affected by HIV as Black men in the US who have sex with other men (MSM).  Indeed, one could study the entire world and have difficulty finding another group in which the HIV burden is greater than among Black MSM."

The report goes on to say that the number of new HIV infections among Black MSM rose by 20% from 2006 to 2009, with an especially disturbing 48% increase among young Black MSM.
Statistics like this are unacceptable anywhere, and particularly in the United States.  Blacks and Black gay men deserve better.

This is one of the reason that we are mobilizing our community with a series of events to turn the tide on HIV in Blacks.  The first events will be Friday, November 30, 2012 at the Capri Theatre in Minneapolis.

The first event, The Brother Circle Dinner, will be held from 4-6, and will include discussions with our special guests, Jamar Rogers, finalist on NBC's "The Voice" last season, and LaMont Wheat, singer, song-writer, and activist.

The second event, The Sarah Simmons Showcase, is a talent show that will feature performers from the Twin Cities.  In addition, Jamar Rogers and LaMont Wheat will perform.

Both events are free.  Dinner will be served.  HIV testing and education will also be free.

I hope you will join us!
Peace and love,
Bill

"Getting to Zero" Do We Have the Will to Make It Happen?

It was a great Monday!  We are lining up interviews with LaMont Wheat and Jamar Rogers on KMOJ radio for November 30th.  They will tell about their involvement with the Brother Circle Dinner, 4-6 pm and Sarah Simmons Showcase 6-8 pm at the Capri Theatre in Minneapolis, MN on November 30th.

The Brother Circle Dinner and Sarah Simmons Showcase are part of World AIDS Weekend Minneapolis 2012.  Additional events will take place on December 1st and 2nd.  ThiI will tell you more about these other events in future blogs this week.

This year our theme is "Getting to Zero."   We now have the know how and the tools to prevent HIV infections, which have hit our Black community the hardest.  The question is:  Do we have the will to make it happen?  It will take all of us working as hard as we can every day to stop this epidemic.

LaMont and Jamar are both incredible performers and inspiring speakers.  They will also talk about how HIV impacts their lives and communities.  You will not want to miss this incredible evening.
We are also ready to distribute flyers and postcards for the event.  Here they are:



Wishing you peace and love,

Bill

The Brother Circle and Sarah Simmons Showcase to Light Up the Capri Theatre in Minneapolis November 30



Capri Theatre, 2027 W. Broadway, Minneapolis, MN

 The Capri Theatre in Minneapolis will be the site of two coördinated programs designed to reduce HIV infections and entertain on Friday, November 30th.  The first event, The Brother Circle Dinner takes place 4-6 pm, and includes free food and discussion with Jamar Rogers, semifinalist on "The Voice" and LaMont Wheat, songwriter and performer of "Still Standing."
The Sarah Simmons Showcase will take place from 6-8 pm at the Capri.  This event is a community talent show.  It will also features songs by special guests, Jamar and LaMont.  If you would also like to perform in the Showcase, please register by November 15th with Peggy Darrett-Brewer at 651-201-4138 or email peggy.darrett-brewer@state.mn.us.
Both events will include free information on HIV prevention, free condoms, free STD testing, and free door prizes.
It is going to be a fantastic evening, and the culmination of ten months of work by me with The Black AIDS Institute, African American HIV University and our own Black HIV Coalition.  It has been an honor to work with  inspiring people in Minneapolis and around the country to reduce HIV in Blacks.  Blacks are the most impacted group by HIV of any race or ethnic group in the United States.  Black gay and bisexual men are particularly hard hit by HIV.
 Built in 1927, the Capri Theater’s storied history includes 35 years as the Paradise Theater (from 1933 to 1967), as well as the place where Prince launched his international music career in January 1979. Located at 2027 West Broadway (one block east of Penn Ave. North), the Capri Theater is owned and operated by Plymouth Christian Youth Center (PCYC).  (Capri Website)
So join us for this fun evening of food, music, entertainment, and education.  Be part of the cure.  Let us end HIV in our lifetimes.
Yours,
Bill

LaMont Wheat and Jamar Rogers to Appear November 30th, Minneapolis for World AIDS Day Events

I am part of the Black HIV Coalition in Minneapolis, and together with our partner, MAAAH (Minnesota African/African-American Women Initiative) we are planning an incredible event on November 30th, 2012 at the Capri Theatre, 2027 W. Broadway Ave., Minneapolis, MN.

Jamar Rogers

The evening will include "The Brother Circle Dinner" and the "Sarah Simmons Showcase."

LaMont Wheat

We have two dynamite celebrity guests coming to both events.  Jamar Rogers of NBC "The Voice" and LaMont Wheat, Recording Artist and Activist will be participating in our Brother Circle Dinner discussion and performing at the Showcase.

I'm be blogging daily about these events right up until they happen.  Please check back for daily updates.

Yesterday our coalition met, and new people came to the table to help us with our event.  Our biggest discussion was the T-Shirt design.  Attendees of either event will receive a free t-shirt custom designed for this event.    They are awesome!

I'm proud to say LaMont is a friend and a source of inspiration in my life.  He's also an incredible singer.  I had the pleasure of watching him perform in Washington, D.C. at the International AIDS Conference in July, 2012.

Jamar has a wonderful energy and a show-stopping voice.  He has also become an effective activist for eliminating HIV stigma in our community. 

Can you tell how excited I am?  If you are in the area, or even if you need to fly there, you should come to this event.

Best,

Bill