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For Immediate Release
Contact: The Balm In Gilead 212-730-7381
Or Nicole Barsamian / IssueSphere / 212-448-6813
World AIDS Day - December 1, 1999
Black Church Program Features Former U.S. Surgeon General
Joycelyn Elders, Gospel Recording Artist Vanessa Bell Armstrong and Chicago Pastor Rev. Dr. Jeremiah A. Wright, Jr.
Harlem Program Is Viewable at Satellite Downlink Sites in Baltimore, Chicago, Detroit and Miami
On Wednesday, December 1, a World AIDS Day program entitled The Black Church Speaks! AIDS: Be Knowledgeable will highlight the Black church response to AIDS, the primary killer of Black Americans ages 25 to 44. The program, sponsored by The Balm In Gilead, will originate at 7:30 pm (EST) from St. Marks United Methodist Church in Harlem, NY, with a live satellite downlink to churches in Baltimore, Chicago, Detroit and Miami. More information is available toll free at 1-888-225-6243.
Joycelyn Elders, M.D., the U.S. Surgeon General from July, 1993 to December, 1994, who is a longtime advocate for HIV/AIDS education, will deliver the keynote address. Rev. Dr. Jeremiah A. Wright, Jr., senior pastor of Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago will deliver the sermon. Dr. Wright's church is home to one of the city's oldest AIDS ministries. The soloist will be popular gospel artist Vanessa Bell Armstrong, a longtime spokesperson for AIDS causes.
In addition to encouraging Black churches to raise awareness of AIDS prevention and treatment issues, Dr. Elders will highlight the need for African-Americans living with HIV/AIDS to become more knowledgeable about HIV-related anemia, a fatigue-inducing condition affecting up to 95 percent of people living with HIV during the course of their disease.
The World AIDS Day program is organized by The Balm In Gilead, the national organization whose mission is to mobilize Black churches to become centers for HIV/AIDS education and compassion for people affected by the epidemic. According to Pernessa C. Seele, the organization's founder/CEO, the event will focus national attention on how Black churches are fighting HIV/AIDS. "Too often, we hear that Black churches are ignoring AIDS," said Ms. Seele. "This simply isn't true. Our event will provide leadership and inspiration for the thousands of Black churches across the country that are working to heal the devastation AIDS is causing in their communities."
Vanessa Bell Armstrong, the well-known gospel recording artist added, "It's an honor to perform on World AIDS Day in support of HIV/AIDS awareness and education. It is important that the gospel music industry recognize the impact that HIV/AIDS is having on the Black community and play a role in getting the word out."
St. Marks United Methodist Church is located at 65 Edgecomb Avenue between 137th Street and St. Nicholas Avenue. Entrance to the program will be on a first-come basis. No reservations will be accepted. Doors will open at 6:45 pm. The downlink locations are: Baltimore - City Temple Baptist Church; Chicago - St. James United Methodist Church; Detroit - Hartford Memorial Baptist Church and Miami - Greater Bethel AME Church.
Further information is available by calling The Balm In Gilead, 1-888-225-6243 or visiting the organization's website at www.balmingilead.org.
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