Feb. 7 Slated as National Black AIDS Awareness and Information Day

Contact: T.J. Bucholz (517) 241-2112

Agency: Community Health

February 6, 2004

The fourth annual National Black AIDS Awareness and Information Day, to be celebrated on Saturday, February 7, calls on African Americans and health care agencies to work together to fight the spread of HIV/AIDS.

As of October 1, 2003, the Michigan Department of Community Health (MDCH) estimates there are 8,950 African Americans who live with HIV/AIDS in Michigan. This number is significantly higher than any other racial or minority population.

“Michigan has a clear racial disproportion of HIV and AIDS cases,” said Janet Olszewski, Director of the Michigan Department of Community Health. “Collectively, as a state, it is critically important that we focus our attention on this matter and work together to put an end to HIV and AIDS.”

Many community-based organizations, local churches and local health departments across the state also support this campaign. In several Michigan cities African Americans and public health leaders will sponsor activities that address the state of AIDS among Blacks in their communities.

Events are planned across Michigan and throughout the U.S. to raise awareness and promote HIV testing among African Americans.

Detroit: The Spiritual Warriors Detroit HIV/AIDS Project presents its 2nd Annual National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day at the Clarence B. Haddon Activities Center on February 6th & 7th 2004. For more information call 313-526-5494.

The Southeastern Michigan HIV/AIDS Council (SEMHAC) Saturday, February 7th at Redd Apple Gallery, 227 Iron St., from 1 to 4:30pm. For additional information, please contact the SEMHAC office at 313-876-0186.

Children’s Hospital – Horizons Project, in collaboration with Wayne State University, will be providing several HIV/AIDS related information and services throughout the month. For additional information, contact Michelle McGarity at 313-727-6661.

African American Wine Tasting Society is hosting a South African wine tasting on Friday, February 27 at the Detroit Belle Isle Casino. For additional information, contact Torrance Hucks at 313-492-4208.

Southfield: Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.-Southfield Alumnae Chapter are sponsoring a “fun fair” on Saturday, March 13, 2004. For additional information, contact Laeki Harris at 313-456-4365.

Flint: HIV/AIDS Wellness will host an Open Health Awareness Day on Thursday, Feb. 12th, in collaboration with Mott Community College from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For additional information, contact Amna Osman at 810-232-0888. YOUR Center will be extending its hours of HIV counseling and testing on Friday, Feb. 6th, to 8 p.m. The Center will also be hosting a basketball tournament on Saturday, Feb. 28th. For additional information, contact Katy Marcouz at 810-789-8637.

Saginaw: The Hearth Home of Health Delivery, Inc., in collaboration with Saginaw County Health Department will be providing counseling and testing at several locations throughout February. For additional information, contact Ricardo Bowden, 989-753-9011.

Lansing: Lansing Area AIDS Network will be providing free anonymous HIV counseling and testing, and a cultural program on February 6th from 12 to 7 p.m. For additional information, please contact Kaye McDuffy at 517-394-3719, ext 26.

Battle Creek: Community AIDS Resource and Education Services will provide HIV counseling and testing at the Salvation Army from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on February 7th. For additional information, contact Juan Billion-Rivera at 269﷓381﷓2437, ext 26.

Kalamazoo: On Feb. 7th, Community AIDS Resource and Education Services will provide HIV counseling and testing at their satellite office from 12 to 5 p.m. and from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Drop-in Center. For additional information, contact Juan Billion﷓Rivera at 269-381-2437, ext 26.

Grand Rapids: On Feb. 7th, Community AIDS Resource and Education Services will provide HIV counseling and testing at their satellite office from 12 to 5 p.m. For additional information, contact Juan Billion-Rivera at 269-381-2437, ext 26.

HIV/AIDS Services, Inc. on Friday, March 13, will host a benefit comedy show at the Wealthy Theatre on Wealthy St, SE. For additional information, contact Jan Koopman at 616-456-9063.

Benton Harbor: On Feb. 7th, Community AIDS Resource and Education Services will provide HIV counseling and testing at their satellite office from 12 to 5 p.m., from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. at the soup kitchen, and from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. at the Salvation Army. For additional information, contact Juan Billion﷓Rivera at 269﷓381﷓2437, ext 26.