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For Immediate Release
Teresa Holmes 212 730 7381
tholmes@balmingilead.org
AIDS Conference for Black Churches in
Tarrytown, New York, May 28-31, 2002
THE BALM IN GILEAD TO HOST ANNUAL
BLACK CHURCH HIV/AIDS INSTITUTE
The Rev. Al Sharpton, Dr. Lucy Perez and Emanuel Cleaver II Set To Address Hundreds of Clergy and Auxiliary
(NEW YORK, NY) -April 23, 2002.... The Balm In Gilead announces its 4th
Annual Black Church HIV/AIDS Training Institute May 28-31, 2002, in its vigorous
effort to continue its national and international mission of empowering churches
throughout the African Diaspora to become more prominent in the battle against
the AIDS epidemic.
The Black Church HIV/AIDS Training Institute will be held this year
at The Dolce Tarrytown House Conference Center in Tarrytown, New York. This conference
convenes clergy and auxiliary leaders of Black faith-based institutions to examine
the impact of HIV/AIDS in African American, African and Caribbean communities,
and the critical role members of faith-based institutions must play in AIDS prevention,
treatment and care. The Black Church HIV/AIDS Training Institute is a national
conference established by The Balm In Gilead, the only organization in
the United States dedicated exclusively to empowering churches in the struggle
against the devastation of HIV/AIDS in the African Diaspora.
The conference will feature some of the nation's top experts in the areas of
health and religion. Keynote speakers and workshop leaders include: Lucille N.
Perez, M.D., President of the National Medical Association (representing the interest
of more than 25,000 African American physicians, The Rev. Al Sharpton, president,
National Action Network and Emanuel Cleaver, II, senior pastor of St. James United
Methodist Church and former mayor of Kansas City, Missouri.
"I congratulate The Balm In Gilead and its continued mission of educating
the African American clergy to become tenacious in the fight against one of the
most devastating diseases the African Diaspora has seen," said Perez. "The
Balm In Gilead's HIV/AIDS Institute combines theological understanding with clinical
information to help faith leaders become forceful participants in this battle
against HIV/AIDS in the African Diaspora. Educational forums such as this are
critical because we know that as we become more educated, we will become more
effective in this fight, says Perez."
Pernessa Seele, founder and CEO of The Balm In Gilead, who will be returning
from a five country journey to Africa, bridging African and African American churches
in the organization's effort to effectively address the AIDS pandemic among Black
people worldwide states, "The goal of this conference is to build the capacity
of congregations to programmatically address the incessant challenges the AIDS
pandemic has brought to the global village." Seele further states, "The
Balm In Gilead is fortunate to be working with leaders in theology, public health,
government, AIDS service and international affairs who are eager to lend their
expertise to the success of this conference."
Information and Registration
The Black Church HIV/AIDS Institute is for church members only. A registration
fee of $325.00 ($375 after May 10) covers all conference activities and meals.
Information on overnight accommodations at the Tarrytown Conference Center is
available in the conference brochure. Roche, Centers for Disease Control (CDC),
Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), and Center for Substance
Abuse Prevention (CSAP) of this year's Institute. Persons attending the entire
training may earn continuing education or extension credits from The New York
Theological Seminary in New York City. The New York Theological Seminary is committed
to helping lay and ordained Christians involved in ministry become more literate,
responsible, and effective in the expression of their faith.
Individuals interested in attending the Black Church HIV/AIDS Training Institute
may contact The Balm In Gilead for a conference brochure at 1-888-225-6243
or register online by clicking
here.
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