This list of new, notable and notorious books and articles will give you the need-to-know basics on the HIV/AIDS epidemic in the African-American community.
BOOKS
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By Kai Wright
Wright tells the story of an adolescent growing up as an "at risk youth" in New York City.
Beacon Press, January, 2008, Hardcover (240 pages), $24.95
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By Pamela Payne-Foster
This compilation of the author's essays encourages thought and discussion on preventing HIV/AIDS in the black community.
Lulu.com, September, 2007, Paperback (312 pages), $19.99
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By Randall Horton
A collection of poetry, fiction and creative nonfiction, this book celebrates life while tackling the heavy and sometimes difficult topics surrounding HIV/AIDS.
Third World Press, April, 2007, Paperback (208 pages), $15.95
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By Brett Grodeck
A great guide for the recently diagnosed.
Marlowe and Company, June, 2007, Paperback (336 pages), $16.95
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By Kelly Brown Douglas
This book tackles the subject of sexuality in the African-American church.
Orbis Books, March 1999, Paperback (162 pages), $14.00
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By The Balm in Gilead
This booklet covers HIV basics for African-American congregants, answering key questions, such as "What is it like to have HIV?" and "Can I get HIV from the communion cup?" Includes relevant scriptural quotations, resources and a prayer for unity.
The Balm In Gilead, 1998, $25.00 for 25 copies
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By Jacob Levenson
Widely acclaimed as the African American And the Band Played On, Levenson's journalistic account of the history and politics of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in black America spans six decades and features dramatic scenes and players, ranging from black crack addicts on the street to elite white scientists in the lab. Levenson's driving narrative of Jim Crow, the Northern migration, urban decay, the civil rights movement, cocaine and heroin dealings, and the prison-industrial complex that paved the road for the HIV/AIDS catastrophe has the inevitability of Greek tragedy.
Anchor, Random House, Inc., February 2005, Paperback (320 pages), $14
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By Dr. Eric Goosby and Adrianne Appel
Leading African-American HIV specialist Goosby offers HIV-positive African Americans expert soup-to-nuts advice in very user-friendly language. While certain info on HIV medications, combination therapy and strategy is a little dated due to the rapid pace of HIV research and practice, Goosby's approach is as essential as it is inspiring.
Hilton Publishing, Inc., September 2002, Paperback (160 pages), $11.50
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By Keith Boykin
Keith Boykin, the activist founder of the National Black Justice Coalition, looks beyond the media hype of African-American men who have sex with men and identify as straight, beyond blaming them for the black HIV/AIDS epidemic, and beyond the cultural disempowerment of their female partners in a valiant attempt to launch a long-overdue debate on sex and sexuality, homophobia, and AIDS stigma in the black community.
Carol and Graf Publishers, Avalon Publishing Group, Dec. 2006. Paperback (311 pages), $14.95
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By Cathy J. Cohen
Cohen, an African-American University of Chicago sociologist, casts a laser-sharp, ice-cold eye on the black middle class and its leadership for their casual indifference to HIV/AIDS among black gay men, drug users, sex workers and prisoners in the '80s -- indifference that allowed the epidemic to explode a decade later. She not only makes her case but offers a new politics and set of policies that deserve a wide hearing.
The University of Chicago Press, March 1999, Paperback (410 pages), $21.00
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By Roy Simmons and Damon DiMarco
The famous former pro-football player's pull-no-punches autobiography covers his poor Southern childhood, his rape at age 10, his escape into football, his NFL career, complete with juicy accounts of sex, drugs and celebrity. After retiring from football and hitting the skids, Simmons came out in 1992 on The Phil Donahue Show, struggled free of his addictions and came out as HIV positive.
Carroll and Graf, December 2005, Hardback (260 pages), $26
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By J.L. King with Courtney Carreras
A quick sequel to his best-seller On the Down Low, J. L. King's latest contribution is a coast-to-coast tell-all of other down-low dudes and the women they love to deceive, plus an update on King's own personal growth. Can a second Oprah appearance be far behind?
Three Rivers Press, Crown Publishing Group, Random House, Inc., April 2006, Paperback (192 pages), $12.95
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By Brenda Stone Browder
The ex-wife of "Mr. Down Low," J. L. King, tells her side of the story with a knack for the clumsy cliché and a lack of insight and intelligence every bit as notable as her ex's. Browder was understandably disappointed to find herself married to a gay man, but her nasty homophobia and bankrupt claim that gay men can "go straight" give the lie to her oft-proclaimed Christian forgiveness.
Dafina Books, Kensington Publishing, February 2005, Hardback (180 pages), $21
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Edited by Steven G. Fullwood and Colin Robinson
An innovative, thought-provoking collection of personal essays by black gay men on the trials and tribulations of HIV prevention, with a refreshing focus on the psychological sources of risky behavior.
Printed in conjunction with the New York State Black Gay Network, Inc., and AIDS Project Los Angeles, 2003.
You can download the PDF here.
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Edited by Dorie J. Gilbert and Ednita M. Wright
A comprehensive, cutting-edge collection of essays on the recent explosion of HIV/AIDS rates among African-American women by academics, researchers and other experts, all of whom are African-American women themselves.
Praeger Publishers, March 2003, Paperback (288 pages), $28.95
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By Larry M. Grant, Patricia A. Stewart and Vincent J. Lynch with Willis Green, Jr., Darrell P. Wheeler and Ednita M. Wright
A powerful collection of dispatches from the front by African-American social workers that mixes advocacy and analysis.
Praeger Publishers, October 1998, Paperback (176 pages), $25.95
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By Shelton Jackson
This collection of poetry includes intimate poems on love, homosexuality, the struggle of being HIV positive, and the pain of losing a partner to the virus.
Shelton Jackson, October 2005, Paperback (100 pages), $14.95
MAGAZINES, ARTICLES AND NEWSLETTERS
Promoting Unity and Love in the Black Gay Community: A Challenging But Not Impossible Task
From Positively Aware, by Keith R. Green
Black People and the Search for an HIV Vaccine
A Vaccine Advocate Gives Us the Low-Down
From Positively Aware, by Steve Wakefield
HIV Treatment Series: Adverse Health Outcomes Among Black Americans
Living With HIV: Nature or Nurture?
From Positively Aware, by David Malebranche, M.D., M.P.H.
"Staying Alive: Among the rising numbers of black women in Chicago with HIV/AIDS, three stay strong by speaking out"
From The Chicago Reporter, by Lindsay Edmonds
The Body's reading list for African Americans
Kaiser Family Foundation report on racial disparities in health care: "Key Facts: Race, Ethnicity & Medical Care"
Articles by Kai Wright, leading African-American journalist, whose beat is all things HIV/AIDS in the black community:
"Blacks' Plague: A look at misconceptions about AIDS in the African-American community" "When a Son Is Gay" "Secret Sex"
Shelton Samad Jackson, author of The Second Chapter: ACCEPTANCE. His web site features works by African-American authors and links together people who are HIV-positive or part of the GLBT community.
Publications from Black AIDS Institute:
Click here for more publications from Black AIDS Institute"The Time Is Now! The State of AIDS in Black America"
From Black AIDS Institute, by Kai Wright"Reclaiming Our Future: The State of AIDS Among Black Youth in America"
From Black AIDS Institute, by Dr. Cathy J. Cohen, Alexandra Bell, and Mosi Ifatunji
"10 Things You Should Know About the Down Low"
By Keith Boykin
"Black Colleges Seek to Stem HIV Cases"
From Associated Press
Ledge Magazine
Coming soon to historically black colleges and universities everywhere!
"Kujisource Newsletter" (meaning "Self-Determnination")
HIV STATISTICS
Nearly Half of Us May Already Be Infected -- Who Gives a Damn?
An open letter to Black gay and bisexual men
From Positively Aware, by Black AIDS Institute
Racial/Ethnic Disparities in Diagnoses of HIV/AIDS -- 33 States, 2001-2004
From U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
CDC report on HIV/AIDS in African Americans
From U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
HIV/AIDS Surveillance by Race/Ethnicity
From U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Slides)
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