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10/23/1999 Gospel Against AIDS-DC
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10/23/1999 Gospel Against AIDS-DC
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National AIDS Policy Office
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10/23/1999 Gospel Against AIDS - DC
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67
1
2
3
D.C. CARE Consortium
D.C. Comprehensive AIDS Resources & Education Consortium
Ms. Sandra Thurman
PRESIDENT
Director of the Office of National AIDS Policy
Flora Hamilton, Ph.D.
Family & Medical Counseling Services, Inc.
At the White House
VICE PRESIDENT
736 Jackson Place, N.W.
H. Alexander Robinson
Washinton, D.C. 20503
SECRETARY
November 3,1999
Patricia Hawkins, Ph.D.
Whitman-Walker Clinic
Dear Ms. Thurman:
TREASURER
Jerry O'Brien
Ethics Resource Center, Inc.
Thank you for the moving presentation you gave at the Gospel Against AIDS
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Valerie Papaya Mann
Concert, that was held October 23, 1999, at the Greater Mount Calvary Holy
Church in Washington. D.C. Your speech helped to make the concert a
MEMBER ORGANIZATIONS
Abundant Life Clinic
tremendous success! This was the first concert of its kind in Washington, D.C.,
Addiction Prevention & Recovery
Administration (APRA)
and we had an attendance of more than 700 people.
Andromeda Transcultural
Association of Black Psychologists
Best Friends of D.C.
You spoke eloquently and with compassion. Your presentation helped to bring
Black Lesbian & Gay Pride Day, Inc.
attention to the goals of the concert that were (1) to highlight the state of health
Building Futures
Carl Vogel Center
emergency around HIV/AIDS and African Americans, and (2) to increase the
Child Enrichment Center
Children's National Medical Center
number of African American churches that are involved with providing
Burgess Services
HIV/AIDS services to DC residents.
Christ House
Church Association for Community Services
Community of Hope
Consortium for Child Welfare
For your information, immediately following the concert, we received a call from
D.C. Coalition of Black Lesbians, Gay
Dr. Derrick Hawkins of the 19th Street Baptist Church. He asked for the
Men Et Bisexuals, Inc.
D.C. General Hospital/HIV Center
Consortium's support to create an HIV/AIDS program to be administered by the
D.C. Prisoner's Legal Services Project, Inc.
D.C. Public School-HIV/AIDS Education
19th Street Baptist Church. We expect even more requests. Clearly, your words
Damien Ministries, Inc.
requesting more involvement in the fight against HIV/AIDS did not fall on deaf
Dwayne S. Brown Foundation
Episcopal Caring Response to AIDS (ECRA)
ears.
Eve International, Inc.
Everyday Theater Project, Inc.
Family & Medical Counseling Services, Inc.
We are lucky to have a warrior like you in the fight against HIV/AIDS. Your
Friends Meeting of Washington
Food & Friends
commitment and strength will help create a light at the end of the tunnel for so
Georgetown University Hospital/
Women's HIV Program
many people who are fighting for their lives.
HIV Community Coalition (HCC)
Hospice Care of D.C.
Hospice Care of Washington/
I have no doubt that the concert attendees who are all touched by HIV and AIDS
The Washington Home
Hospital for Sick Children
felt reassured by your words of hope. This is the message that we all need to
HUH Cares
hear, and I thank you for delivering it so well and with sincerity.
Joseph's House
La Clinica del Pueblo
Marshall Heights Community
We thank God for you, and look forward to continuing to work with you in the
Development Organization, Inc.
Max Robinson Center
fight against HIV and AIDS.
Metropolitan Community Church of
Washington, D.C.
Metro TeenAIDS
When one community is threatened none of us are safe. Working together we
Miriam's House
New Endeavors by Women
can win the fight against HIV/AIDS.
Pediatric Care, Inc.
Progressive LifeCenter
RAP, Inc.
RIGHT, Inc.
Safe Haven Outreach Ministries
Sincerely,
Sexual Minority Youth Assistance League
(SMYAL)
So Others Might Eat (SOME)
Terrific, Inc. (Grandma's House)
Union Temple Baptist Church Huggin Ministry
Valerie Valipazilla
Unity Healthcare
Us Helping ...People into Living, Inc.
VA Medical Center Washington Regional AIDS
Executive Director
Program Department of Infectious Diseases
Washington Free Clinic
Washington Urban League
Whitman-Walker Clinic
733-15th Street, NW, Suite 620 Washington, D.C. 20005 Voice (202) 347-8888 Fax (202) 347-0945 TTY (202) 347-0947
Family AIDS Network, Inc.
1601 N. Kent Street, Ste. 1003
Arlington, VA 22209
MARY FISHER, FOUNDER
703 / 243-8276
703 / 243-8377 fax
Board of Directors
Administrative Center
678 Front Street NW
Mary D. Fisher. Chairman
Grand Rapids, MI 49504
New York
616 / 451-2361
Phillip W. Fisher. Treasurer
616 / 451-9180 fax
Michigan
Marnie Martin Fletcher, Secretary
November 19, 1999
www.familyaidsnet.org
lowa
Rodney Beck
Hon. Sandra Thurman
Illinois
Stacey Beck
Director, National AIDS Policy Office
Illinois
736 Jackson Place, NW
Amber Dunleavy
Washington, DC 20503
Virginia
Morgan Fairchild
California
Dear Sandra:
Lauren Thomas Fisher
Michigan
William C. Fletcher
Yes, I could apologize for the delay in sending you this note. Then again, I
lowa
could prove to you that three weeks after the event, we are still remembering
Herb Hamsher
California
your kindness. And of course, I could extend this further by saying that it
Janis lan
seemed appropriate during the week of Thanksgiving to remember your many
Tennessee
kind and wonderful gestures.
Anne Keating
New York
So I want to do all of the above!
Daphne Kessler
Virginia
William R. Pitts, Jr.
When multiple groups cooperate to put on an event like the Washington DC
Washington. DG
Gospel Against AIDS event there is always a bit of confusion over "who-is-to-
Deborah Roberts
New York
do-what." I suspect our event is one of those. But your commitment to the
Al Roker
cause, your willingness to adjust your travel plans to be in Washington that
New York
evening, your inspirational words to the group, and all that you do in the fight
Amy Saag
Alabama
against AIDS mean so much to so many of us.
Michael S. Saag, M.D.
Alabama
On behalf of Mary Fisher, and all of us at the Family AIDS Network, thanks so
Patricia Snyder
Tennessee
much for your attendance at the concert. We deeply appreciate your
Jonathon W. Stoller
participation and your constant support.
California
Managing Trustee
One of these days we hope to do a favor for you. Please let us know what they
Steve Gunderson
might be, and when we can be of help.
Wasbington. DC
Board of Advisors
All our love, respect, and appreciation.
Chuck Barris
France
Elizabeth Birch
Wasbington. DC
Steve Gunderson
Joe and Debbie Dumars
Managing Trustee
Michigan
Max and Marjorie Fisher
Michigan
Gerald R. and Betty Ford
California
Peter and Debby Magowan
California
Hilary Rosen
Washington. DC
6- family Network ANDS
OPENING prayer o
THE WHITE HOUSE
SINgs -Raing Cheel
WASHINGTON
4:30PM
musie
C-DCC
October 23, 1999
testrict music -willianzed
H: 703/525-9669
Dagrifre
C: 703/517-3540
says
Welcome to the "Gospel Against AIDS" concert, hosted by the Family AIDS Network
will
and the DC CARE Consortium. This event marks a critical juncture in our battle against Berath
my
AIDS. Across the nation, our ability to keep pace is challenged by the misperception that
hijs-
AIDS is no longer a lethal threat - a misperception that increasingly places women,
youth, and communities of color in jeopardy.
insustinelove
Ruen
When so many of us long to believe that the worst is behind us, we are confronted with
the sobering reality of more than 40,000 new infections per year in the United States
- SLT
alone - over 50% of which occur among the African-American community. More and
-musie
more, we are called to find innovative and creative responses to the growing crisis among
those most at risk.
MASS
waver
choir mn
W/AIDS
"Gospel Against AIDS" stands as a remarkable example of what can be accomplished
through partnership and the willingness of organizations to speak out against silence,
nells
complacency, and inaction. Your presence here tonight reflects the importance of
was colletve &
combating AIDS by joining in the spirit of community and building bridges across old
-
barriers.
music
- ED.OC
Thank you for supporting this unique and vitally important effort to foster a community
Gakes
-
built on compassion, awareness and care in the face of AIDS.
offer
Best wishes for an inspirational evening of song and empowerment.
70-90
Gospel determ choic the
Sincerely,
Bags
Landia thuvan Sandra L. Thurman
-Mey
Fisher
4-30-7 Health
Sing
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Director
Office of National AIDS Policy
Diagh
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7:30 service
long
Yotan
Brong Bob PAN
audrence, Greath WDC
community,
80%
2000
Bluediction
Family AIDS Network, Inc.
1601 N. Kent Street. Ste. 1003
Arlington, VA 22209
MARY FISHER, FOUNDER
243-8276
7243-8377 fax
Board of Directors
Administrative Center
September 30, 1999
678 Front Street NW
Mary D. Fisher, Chairman
Grand Rapids, MI 49504
New York
616 / 451-2361
Phillip W. Fisher. Treasurer
/ 451-9180 fax
Michigan
Mrs. Tipper Gore
Marnie Martin Fletcher, Secretary
c/o Sandy Thurman
www.familyaidsnet.org
towa
National Office of AIDS Policy
Rodney Beck
Illinois
736 Jackson Place
Stacey Beck
Washington, DC 20503
Illinois
Amber Dunleavy
Virginia
Dear Mrs. Gore:
Morgan Fairchild
California
My name is Mary Fisher and I am the Founder of the Family AIDS Network. You
Lauren Thomas Fisher
Michigan
might recall my speech to the 1992 Republican National Convention where I
William C. Fletcher
disclosed my HIV status to the world as a mother with two sons. Since that time I,
lowa
like you, have traveled the nation to build bridges of awareness, compassion, and
Herb Hamsher
California
care in the fight against AIDS. Today, as the epidemic moves into communities
Janis lan
of women and color, we have changed our vehicles of communication to more
Tennessee
effectively reach these audiences.
Anne Keating
New York
Daphne Kessler
Today, I would like to ask you to consider one more appearance on behalf of all
Virginia
those infected and affected by HIV/AIDS. On Saturday, October 23rd, my Family
William R. Pitts, Jr.
Washington. DC
AIDS Network, in partnership with DC Cares, will host a "Gospel Against AIDS"
Deborah Roberts
concert at the Greater Mount Calvary Baptist Church, 610 Rhode Island Avenue,
New York
in Washington, DC. We would be deeply touched and honored if you might join
Al Roker
New York
us for this evening of powerful music and inspirational words as we encourage
Amy Saag
this community to open its hearts and hands to those touched by AIDS. We would
Alabama
be honored if you would provide a message to the audience that evening.
Michael S Saag, M.D.
Alabama
Patricia Snyder
The Network developed the "Gospel Against AIDS" as a national initiative to
Tennessee
address the dangerous silence around the AIDS epidemic in the Black community.
Jonathon W. Stoller
California
The program challenges the faith community, local grass roots associations, and
our policy makers to work more closely together to combat what has been called a
Managing Trustee
state of emergency for people of color.
Steve Gunderson
Washington, DC
The "Gospel Against AIDS" is a concert that joins local gospel choirs and
Board of Advisors
Broadway artists to create a powerful tool to reach communities of color. The
Chuck Barris
France
Washington concert is under the direction of Broadway Producer Lee Tannen, and
Elizabeth Birch
led by Broadway star George Merritt. Involving and empowering faith-based
Washington. DC
institutions will create a culture of openness, where fear and hesitation are replaced
Joe and Debbie Dumars
with knowledge and action. This event is designed specifically for these four
Michigan
audiences:
Max and Marjorie Fisher
Michigan
Gerald R. and Betty Ford
California
Peter and Debby Magowan
California
Hilary Rosen
Washington. DC
Those Most At-Risk: African Americans, including women and youth, are
the most rapidly growing segments of the AIDS community today. Sharing
prevention messages and encouraging testing for these groups is critical.
The Infected: Those already infected with HIV need to know they are not
despised, that there is hope (both spiritual and physical), and that they have an
opportunity to live full and responsible lives in their communities.
Families' Touched by AIDS: Each day, families of color are stitching new
panels of the AIDS Memorial Quilt for their loved ones. Those left behind by AIDS
- partners, children and loved ones - are the unseen casualties. They need support
and ministry.
Faith-based Organizations as Partners: These organizations have the
resources of love, tolerance, faith, and many helping hands. The people they
represent have begun to embrace those with this illness. No other institutions have
earned the community's trust as these have. They need, however, relevant
information, partnerships and strategies to translate their resources into effective
action.
The event already has had a powerful impact in Detroit, Miami and Jackson,
Mississippi, and Grand Rapids, Michigan. Next year we have been invited to
produce the event at the national convention of the A.M.E. Church in Cincinnati.
If you have questions or need additional information, please feel free to contact
former Congressman Steve Gunderson, who is the Executive Director of the
Network. His number is 703-243-8276. Again, I very much hope you can join us
for this inspiring event.
Sincerely,
Mary any 7 sh
Mary Fisher
Founder
DC CARE CONSORTIUM 733 15th Sr Nw Washington DC 20005
Fax Transmittal Form
To Name: cheryl Baverle
From
Name: Gerald Davis
Phone number: 456-2959
Phone: 202-347-8888
Fax number: 456 2439
Fax:
202-347-0945
TTY:
202-347-0947
Urgent
Date sent: 10/15
For Review
Time sent:
Please Comment
Number of pages including cover
Please Reply
page:
Message:
Thanks, and if me could
have this back by Sanday at
monday, I will appreciate it,
15:26
10.10
D.C. CARE Consortium
District of Columbia Comprehensive AIDS Resources and Education Consortium
733 15th Street N.W., Suite 620
Washington D.C. 20005
Phone: 202-347-8888
Fax:
202-347-0945
PRESS RELEASE
-- For immediate release
CONTACTS: Valerie Papaya Mann: (202) 347-8888 x24
Bruce Weiss: (202) 347-8888 x22
Begin run:
A.S.A.P.
Stop date:
October 23, 1999
Free Gospel Against AIDS Concert to Focus on Increasing Involvement
of African American Churches in the Fight Against HIV/AIDS
Washington, DC, September 27 - The DC Comprehensive AIDS Resources and Education Consortium (DCCC)
in partnership with the Family AIDS Network (FAN) and event co-sponsor the Dwayne S. Brown Foundation, are
holding the Gospel Concert Against AIDS on October 23, 1999 at 7:00 p.m. at the Greater Mount Calvary Holy
Church, 610 Rhode Island Ave., N.E. This concert is free and open to the public. The goal of this concert is to
increase the number of African American churches that are active in the fight against HIV/AIDS in the Washington
metropolitan area.
A grass-roots Community Health Fair will be held at the same location from 4:30 to 7:00p.m. on October 23. Be-
tween 1500 to 2000 people are expected to attend the health fair and concert. Information about HIV/AIDS pre-
vention, social services, and treatment options will be distributed. Other services provided at the Health Fair are;
on-site HIV testing and counseling, hypertension screening, diabetes screening, mammogram screening, bone mar-
row registry screening, and body fat composition analysis will be available at the health fair. Representatives from
District of Columbia government agencies, non-profit organizations, church based AIDS ministries, and corpora-
tions will participate in the event. In an expression of support for the event, the Names Project will have panels of
the AIDS Memorial Quilt on display during the event.
The concert and health fair are a result of a collaboration between DCCC and FAN. Co-sponsors of the event in-
clude, the Dwayne S. Brown Foundation, Greater Mount Calvary Holy Church, Motivational Educational Enter-
tainment Productions (MEE), BB&T Bank, Gold's Gyms, Unimed Pharmaceuticals, the District of Columbia Ad-
ministration for HIV/AIDS and the Whitman-Walker Clinic.
The Gospel Concert will feature recording artist Jacki Ruffin, one of the founding members of the renown gospel
group, The Richard Smallwood Singers Also featured is George Merritt, currently starring in the Broadway hit
musical, Jekyll and Hyde at the Plymouth Theatre, and previously starred in the Tony Award winning Broadway
musical production of Big River. Joining the entertainment will be the Mass Choir of Hope, a combined choir
representing members of numerous church choirs in Washington, DC. These churches include Greater Mount Cal-
vary Holy Church, Inner Light Unity Fellowship Church, Union Temple Baptist Church, Metropolitan Baptist
Church, Saint Augustine Catholic Church, as well as students from the Duke Ellington School for the Performing
0.00/04
15.26
Arts. The Choir will be under the direction of Jon Werking, who is currently playing in the
Tony-award winning Broadway show, Fosse.
The Honorable Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton is the invited keynote speaker of the
evening. Additional inspirational words and testimonials will be provided by Bishop Alfred
Owens of the Greater Mount Calvary Holy Church, and local AIDS activist and Bishop Kwa-
bena Rainey Cheeks of the Inner Light Unity Fellowship Church. Pat Nalls, the Executive Direc-
tor of the Women's Collective will discuss issues for women living with HIV/AIDS and William
Beale, the Executive Director of the Dwayne S. Brown Foundation will speak about the loss of
his son to HIV/AIDS. The special guest speaker will be Mary Fisher, founder of the Family
AIDS Network and a mother living with HIV/AIDS. The evening will be hosted by radio per-
sonality Justine Love, the host of the evening radio show "Love Talk and Slow Jams", on
WPGC FM.
HIV/AIDS is ravaging African American communities throughout the United States. AIDS is
the number one killer of African American men and women between the ages of 25 and 44. Al-
though African Americans make up approximately 13 percent of the nation's population, they
accounted for 57 percent of all new HIV infections in 1998. Washington, D.C. has among the
highest infection rates of HIV/AIDS in the nation. African Americans are disproportionately
represented among HIV/AIDS cases locally and nationally and are under-served. While Federal
and local funds are assisting non-profit prevention and care providers in this struggle, the institu-
tions of the African American community, such as our churches, are instrumental in winning this
fight. It is with this in mind that the individuals and organizations have come together to create
the Gospel Concert Against AIDS. African American churches have a history of fighting battles
for our community. They have resources that can be leveraged to help care for people who are
already infected with HIV and who are living with AIDS. We must increase the number of
churches that are active in the struggle against HIV/AIDS if we are to win this fight. We must
also provide our churches with the knowledge of how to provide needed services to our commu-
nity.
DCCC is committed to building our community and as our motto says, we provide, "Leadership
and Support for the HIV/AIDS Community." This Health Fair and Concert are only the begin-
ning. We are devoted to ensuring the participation of African American churches in the struggle
against HIV/AIDS. In the coming months, DCCC will provide technical assistance to African
American churches, together building church-based community programs that assist persons liv-
ing with HIV/AIDS. DCCC is an association of over 60 member AIDS service providers, that
include hospitals, District government agencies, community based organizations and churches.
Our mission is to advocate for and to assure the availability of appropriate HIV/AIDS services in
the community, including ensuring the equitable distribution of funding for these services and
promoting quality assurance in their delivery.
- end -
P.00/04
15:22
with
Mary Fisher's Family AIDS Network
invite you to the
GOSPEL CONCERT AGAINST HIV AIDS
MASS HOPE
CHOIR
UNDER THE JON WERKING
OF BROADWAY THE
Love MISTRESS HOST JUSTINE TALK OF AND WDGC-FMS OF CEREMONES LOVE
RICHARD
I / HOW
WORDS &
GEORGEMERRITT THE
NAMES MEMORIAL
an DISPLAY
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 23, 1999
7-9 PM
GREATER MT. CALVARY HOLY CHURCH
0610 RHODE SLAND AVE NE
GRASS-ROOTS COMMUNITY HEALTH FAIR 430-7pM
WITH ON-SITE HIV TESTING AND COUNSELING
Parking available on the street and at the Rhode Island Ave. Metro Station
CHILDC 7 All ARE
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONT ACT
Л
DC CARE CONSORTIUM
733-15TH STREET NW, Surre 620, WASHINGTON DC 20005
TO ablic THE
202 347-8888
ETC
P.04/04
15:27