In an effort to continue World AIDS Day festivities throughout the month of December, Polished For Prom Inc., The Society For Girls Inc., and Ms. Maryland US 2011 have teamed up to host a two-part event on Saturday December 10, 2011. The first part of the event, hosted by A-Life Foundation, will raise awareness of HIV/AIDS and promote various prevention methods. The second part of the event, will be the Red VIP Reception, hosted by Sherella La Bella (On the Leather with Sherella) which will consist of a Community Health Excellence Award presentation to medical professional, Derek Spencer CRNP, and a Red Ribbon Award presentation for activism to popular media personality, Darian “Big Tigger” Morgan, and his partnering foundation, Street Corner, for their significant impact in raising awareness for the HIV/AIDS epidemic in the Baltimore-Washington Metropolitan area. The Prevention Workshop will take place on Saturday December 10th, 2011 at the Orleans Street Library located at 1303 Orleans Street, Baltimore, MD 21231 from 1pm-3pm. Concluding the night’s event(s) will be the Red VIP Reception at Select Lounge, located at 415 North Paca Street, Baltimore, MD 21201 from 6pm-9pm. A $20 ticket donation can be made at http://uniteforaids.eventbrite.com, with a $25 ticket donation at the door. All proceeds from the Red VIP Reception will benefit the A-Life Foundation, an organization dedicated to assuring that everyone in our communities are educated about HIV/AIDS.
The HIV/AIDS epidemic is strongly affecting the Baltimore/DC Metro area, with a nearly 30 percent new case increase since 2006. The disease has devastated families, leaving children without parents and often killing multiple relatives. It is the leading cause of death among adults 35 to 44 years of age, surpassing homicide, and has had a corrosive effect on neighborhoods already beset by poverty, crime and homelessness. “Our rates are higher than West Africa,” said Shannon L. Hader, director of the District’s HIV/AIDS Administration.
In 1994, while volunteering at a local church that was serving the needs of men and women dealing with substance abuse, I gained a heightened awareness to the multiple health, spiritual and psychosocial needs of our community. Though I must say I never imagined working in the field of HIV, my journey to meet those very needs has lead me to this incredible opportunity to impact the lives of the HIV infected and the communities they live in. – Derek E. Spencer, CRNP
The Street Corner Foundation was established in 2002 by Darian “Big Tigger” Morgan, to provide HIV/AIDS Awareness to the community. In his efforts to bring HIV/AIDS awareness, Big Tigger launched an annual event entitled Big Tigger’s Annual Celebrity Classic. This 3-day charity event brings communities and celebrities together for National HIV Testing Day. This event has provided testing to several thousand people who are now aware of their HIV status. SCF is client centered to address the needs, care and well-being for people who are living with HIV/AIDS. The Street Corner Foundation (SCF) is a client centered non-profit organization that will address the needs, care and well-being of people who are living with HIV/AIDS. SCF will target every HIV Positive and Non-positive population, race and ethnicity, such as: youth, adults, seniors, heterosexuals, and gay, Black, White and Latino.
Maria A. Ryals A-Life Foundation, herein referred to as A-Life, is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the awareness of HIV/AIDS in the African- American community and supporting those individuals & families affected by this epidemic. A-Life was founded October 17, 2008 in Baltimore, Maryland by Tiffany Thompson in honor of her mother, Maria Annette Ryals who passed of AIDS in October 2006. Tiffany started the foundation to ensure that others who are affected by this disease have the same kind of support and love her mom had and gave. Maria, born September 7, 1960 in Baltimore, was a reserved yet funny and vibrant woman who mostly loved to read books. Maria was loved by all and was always seen with a house full of family and friends. She had an open door policy if you needed a place to stay. She was caring and giving to all. So it is with great pleasure that A-Life gives the same kind of love and care that she gave to so many. A-Life envisions a community in which all individuals are knowledgeable of this epidemic and helpful coping strategies; and are consistently supported by family, peers and friends.
For more information on the HIV/AIDS Awareness Workshop and Red VIP Reception Official Partners, please contact Dana Robinson (The Society for Girls) at Dana@thesocietyforgirls.org or Raevyn Jones (Polished for Prom) at Rjones@idealpublicity.com. For more information on the event(s) official spokeswoman Ms. Maryland US 2011 Tiffany Parker, please contact Armani Worrell at Armaniworrell@gmail.com.
