FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 18, 2004
For Additional Information Contact:
Angela Johnson, BaumanCurry & Co. Public Relations
(323) 525-0559 x226

***MEDIA ALERT***MEDIA ALERT***MEDIA ALERT

Black Churches to Increase HIV Awareness
in Observance of World AIDS Day 2004

What: In solidarity with organizations around the world, a dynamic coalition of pastors from Black churches throughout California will host AIDS awareness activities in observance of World AIDS Day, December 1, as part of a massive push to get Black community members at risk tested for HIV. The theme for World AIDS Day 2004 is “Women, Girls, HIV and AIDS” to highlight the impact of the disease among women. Some of the activities include a 15-block march in Sacramento, HIV testing in Los Angeles, a concert in Fresno and a prayer vigil in San Francisco.

Why: African Americans continue to be disproportionately impacted by AIDS and infected with HIV. The high incidence of HIV/AIDS among African Americans is a health crisis.

African Americans account for more than half (54 percent) of the 40,000 new HIV infections estimated to occur in the United States each year. According to the National Center for Health Statistics, AIDS is the leading cause of death among African American women ages 25-34 and African American men ages 35-44. While African Americans comprise only 7 percent of California’s population, African Americans account for 18 percent of the state’s AIDS cases, and 36 percent of the cases among women.

When: December 1 is World AIDS Day
Churches will host activities from Sunday, November 28 through Sunday, December 5.

Where: Please see the attached FACT SHEET for a list of activities, which churches throughout the state have planned in observance of World AIDS Day 2004.

Visuals: Ministers preaching from the pulpit
Ministers and the community marching together
Gospel choirs performing
On-site HIV testing at churches

Statewide HIV/AIDS Church Outreach Advisory Board
World AIDS Day 2004
Church Activity Fact Sheet

FRESNO
Westside Church of God, Sunday, December 5 - 1422 W. California Avenue - - will host the African American AIDS Prevention Music Festival, “Rockn’ the House” from 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Several churches from the Fresno area have been invited to participate in this free event to begin their efforts to inform the community about HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention. Reverend Dr. Paul Binion, Pastor of Westside Church, will deliver a sermon about the vital importance of HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention in the African American community. In addition, the youth from Westside Church will pin red ribbons on all guests attending this free event. Ministers from the Ministerial Alliance Association have agreed to support World AIDS Day activities at Westside Church, as well as inform their respective congregations of the awareness and prevention activities taking place. For more information contact Prof. Jean Kennedy, HIV/AIDS Ministry Coordinator at (559) 270-1023.

LONG BEACH
Refiner’s Fire Fellowship Church along with the City of Long Beach, Wednesday, December 1 – has encouraged 100’s Blacks, Latino and Asian Pacific Islanders to wear the AIDS ribbon in remembrance of those infected with and affected by the disease. A Human Billboard supporting World AIDS Day will be created and can be seen in Downtown Long Beach at
• 6:30 am to 7:30 am (At Pacific Coast Hwy and Atlantic Ave) and
• 3:30 pm to 4:30 pm (7th St and Long Beach Blvd.).
For onsite information, contact Rev. Bonnie Radden at (310) 600-6590.

First Congregational Church, Wednesday, December 1 - 241 Cedar Avenue - at 7:00 p.m. will host music, dance and discussion about HIV/AIDS in the African American community as well as an educational presentation featuring a video. For more information, contact Rev. Bonnie Radden at (562) 429-5111.

Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, Sunday December 5 - 370 Junipero Avenue - will hold service in observance of World AIDS Day at 3:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. Invited guests include the gospel rap artists Puttin’ It Down For Christ and 2nd James. A mobile HIV testing unit will be on site. For more information, contact Rev. Bonnie Radden at (562) 429-5111.

LOS ANGELES
Bryant Temple African Methodist Episcopal Church, Monday, November 29-Sunday, December 5 - 2525 W. Vernon Avenue - will host a full week of activities centered on HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention in observance of World AIDS Day, including HIV Testing. To contact Rev. Clyde Oden, pastor of Bryant Temple, please call (323) 293-6201. Below is a partial list of their activities for the week.

• Wednesday, December 1, at 7:00 p.m. the Bryant Temple Women’s Ministry will begin a 3-day revival to address the specific issues of AIDS and African American women. Dr. Rosie Milligan will discuss sexuality as a featured guest speaker. Rev. Dr. Ann Lightner-Fuller, from Mt. Calvary A.M.E. Church is the featured revivalist.

• Saturday, December 4, Bryant Temple will participate in the African American HIV/AIDS Summit entitled “The Cost and Casualties of Silence,” taking place 8:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. at Bovard Auditorium on the campus of University of Southern California. Multi-media mover and shaker Tavis Smiley will moderate the panel discussion among church leaders, physicians, scientist, community activists and politicians. Admission is free.

• Sunday, December 5, As part of Communion Sunday Service, Bryant Temple will celebrate in solidarity with persons living with HIV/AIDS.
Unity Fellowship of Christ Church, Wednesday, December 1 - 5149 W. Jefferson - will host on-site HIV testing all day from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at Minority AIDS Project. For more information, contact Carolyn Martin at (323) 936-4949.

• Sunday, December 5, As part of Communion Sunday Service, Bryant Temple will celebrate in solidarity with persons living with HIV/AIDS.

Unity Fellowship of Christ Church, Wednesday, December 1 - 5149 W. Jefferson - will host on-site HIV testing all day from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at Minority AIDS Project. For more information, contact Carolyn Martin at (323) 936-4949.

• Sunday, December 5, A sermon will be delivered in observance of World AIDS Day.

OAKLAND
Olivet Institutional Baptist Church, Saturday, December 4 – 807 27th Street - will host a gospel musical at 6:00 p.m. Confirmed guests include the Peace Gospel Choir, Higher Height Christian Church, Olivet Oakland, Olivet Richmond, Good Hope and Community Christian Church for Christ, among others. Resource tables displaying HIV/AIDS education, awareness and prevention materials will be set up in the lobby. For additional information, contact Rev. Finley at (415) 861-1060.

SACRAMENTO
Oasis Fellowship Church, Wednesday, December 1 – 21st & P Street to 27th & L Street - will lead the community in a candlelight vigil march to commemorate lives lost to HIV/AIDS. The march will cover 15 city blocks starting at CARES (Center for AIDS Research Education and Service, Northern California’s second largest comprehensive HIV service provider) located at 1500 21st Street, and ending at Pioneer Congregational United Church of Christ, located at 2700 L Street. The program at Pioneer church will include music and guest speakers, including the Mayor of Sacramento and women who have been impacted by HIV/AIDS. For information contact Deacon Joseph Robinson at (916) 470-2022.

Center of Praise Ministries, Sunday, December 5 - 1228 23rd Street (23rd and Capital Avenue) - will host a gospel concert at 4:00 p.m. located in midtown Sacramento. The program will consist of gospel music performed by local artists along with HIV information and testimonies shared from the pulpit. For information contact Deacon Joseph Robinson at (916) 470-2022.

Service agencies that offer HIV testing will be present at both events to provide information on how and where individuals can receive testing.

SAN FRANCISCO
City of Refuge United Church of Christ, Wednesday, December 1 - 1025 Howard Street - will hold a prayer vigil at 7:00 p.m. Resource tables displaying HIV/AIDS education, awareness and prevention materials will be set up in the church lobby. African Drumming will take place, as well as a spoken word performance presented in remembrance of Mother of Peace Orphanage in Africa. For more information contact Rev. Kendal Brown (510) 593-3349.