The T.R.U.T.H Project Kicks off National Black HIV/ AIDS Awareness Day
By: BWW News Desk Jan. 17, 2017
The T.R.U.T.H Project commemorates National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day with a performance and panel discussion on Tuesday, February 7, 2017.
I AM MY BROTHER/SISTER'S KEEPER
The I AM MY BROTHER/SISTER'S KEEPER: FIGHT HIV/AIDS artistic performance emphasizes mental health while the discussion includes a panel of mental health professionals and advocates who will address questions and concerns around HIV/AIDS and mental health. A live mural and spoken word performances will accent the discussion. Free HIV and Syphilis testing will also be available.
"A tremendous amount of needless pain and suffering can be lessened by setting the stage for healthy, informative community discussion with those most affected," says Kevin Anderson, The T.R.U.T.H. Project Founder.
"We can't address HIV/ AIDS without touching on mental and emotional health," says Anderson. "The public health and scientific communities are working on great new biomedical interventions, but uptake and effectiveness are stagnated when other needs aren't being met."Author and Empowerment Coach, Jai Sneed will serve as moderator. Panelists include: Dr. Kimm Perez, Licensed Professional Counselor; Milton Smith, Licensed Professional Counselor; Deondre Moore, Human Rights Activist and HIV/AIDS Advocate; Adonis May, PrEP and HIV Advocate; DeShantra Moore, Licensed Clinical Social Work; Tiffany Quinton, HIV/AIDS Advocate. Featured artists: Nick Muckleroy "Sleepless Nights the Poet" and visual artist Ashley "Pinklomein" Price.
The T.R.U.T.H Project
Since its inception, The T.R.U.T.H Project has reached more than 5,000 attendees and continues to grow. Performances are held quarterly and have addressed issues such as bullying, domestic violence, and depression. The Texas State Department of Health recognized the efforts of the T.R.U.T.H. Project and its founder, Kevin Anderson, to use the arts as a vehicle for information, awareness, and access to resources, and awarded a grant that allowed him to extend his outreach by partnering with national recording artist such as Marsha Ambrosius and Chisette Michele. He has also served as a consultant in other cities interested in starting similar initiatives.
National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day
The National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day is a national testing and community mobilization initiative founded in 1999 as a response to the growing HIV/ AIDS epidemic among African Americans. The organization works to engage more African American community stakeholders in initiatives to educate, get involved, get tested, and get treated. nationalblackaidsday.org
Tuesday, February 7, 2017, 7 p.m. Montrose Center, 401 Branard Street. FREE. For additional information, visit TruthProjecthtx.org.
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