District of Columbia: Raising Awareness in Washington About HIV

Congressional Black Caucus members and the National Minority AIDS Council are co-sponsoring an "Evening Without Politics" on Sept. 25 in Washington. The event will focus on raising HIV/AIDS awareness in African-American communities -- nationwide, but particularly in the District -- and on supporting HIV/AIDS education initiatives at historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs). President Barack Obama has been invited to deliver the keynote address.

"By highlighting the epidemic in Washington, D.C., we hope to raise awareness about the disproportionate impact of HIV among African-Americans and garner greater support for increased HIV/AIDS education efforts, particularly at [HBCUs], which are educating our communities' next generation of leaders and professionals," said Rep. Danny Davis (D-Ill.). "We save lives by supporting this important new leadership."

"Through an 'Evening Without Politics,' we hope to educate the public about how supporting even small steps through health care reform, such as the routinization of HIV testing and increased support for HIV/AIDS programming, can save innumerable lives," said Rep. Barbara Lee (D-Calif.), the caucus' chairperson.

Special invited guests will include Bill and Camille Cosby, Earvin "Magic" and Cookie Johnson, Nancy Wilson, Kenneth Chennault, and Kenneth Cole. Angie Stone is scheduled to perform at the event, which takes place 9 p.m.-1 a.m. at the Grand Hyatt Washington. For more information, click here.

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