PHOTO: Courtesy GreaterThan.org
Grammy Award-winning artist and advocate Alicia Keys recently rallied with community leaders and residents of Harlem, NY to host a community conversation aimed at tackling the issues of HIV/AIDS.
Keys joined leaders such as Congressman Charlie Rangel (D-NY), Russell Simmons, Executive Director of Harlem Hospital Denise Soares, and Minister Vin Baker of the Abyssinian Baptist Church in Harlem in a discussion with residents of Harlem about HIV/AIDS, its impact on the community, and the stigma that often surrounds the disease.
In Harlem, as nationally, people of color have been disproportionately affected by HIV/AIDS. The large majority of people living with HIV in Harlem are Black or Hispanic. In 2011, the most current year data is available, the rate of HIV diagnosis per 100,000 population was 4 to 5 times higher in Harlem as compared to the nation overall.
Through her public information campaign EMPOWERED, Keys aims to speak to those affected by HIV/AIDS and create allies in the fight about what can be done to change the course of the disease.
For more information, click here.
