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| Confirmed Performers and Celebrities |
| Cheryl Lynn |
| Ray Parker Jr. |
| Hill Harper |
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| Jenifer Lewis |
| Steve Harris |
| Vanessa Williams |
| Meagan Good |
| Malinda Williams |
| Cast of Noah's Arc |
A star-studded, red carpet evening is planned this coming Thursday, Nov. 15th at the Director’s Guild
of America in Hollywood. Sponsored by the Black AIDS Institute, the 6th annual Heroes In the
Struggle Against AIDS will honor six of the country’s most outstanding men and women who have
contributed substantially to the fight against AIDS within the Black community.
This year’s honorees include Dionne Warwick, Tony Wafford, Patrik-Ian Polk, Rashidah Abdul-
Khabeer, Duane Cramer and Dr. Michael Benard Beckwith. There will also be a special tribute to the
20th anniversary of the release of “That’s What Friends Are For” by Dionne Warwick, Stevie Wonder,
Gladys Knight, and Sir. Elton John. Additional performing artists and presenters include Hill Harper,
Tracy Ellis Ross, Cheryl Lynn, Ray Parker Jr. and several more.
of America in Hollywood. Sponsored by the Black AIDS Institute, the 6th annual Heroes In the
Struggle Against AIDS will honor six of the country’s most outstanding men and women who have
contributed substantially to the fight against AIDS within the Black community.
This year’s honorees include Dionne Warwick, Tony Wafford, Patrik-Ian Polk, Rashidah Abdul-
Khabeer, Duane Cramer and Dr. Michael Benard Beckwith. There will also be a special tribute to the
20th anniversary of the release of “That’s What Friends Are For” by Dionne Warwick, Stevie Wonder,
Gladys Knight, and Sir. Elton John. Additional performing artists and presenters include Hill Harper,
Tracy Ellis Ross, Cheryl Lynn, Ray Parker Jr. and several more.
| Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis |
| Tracy Ellis Ross |
| Carl Lewis |
| Black Hollywood Honors Heroes In The Struggle by: Herndon l. davis |
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It’s been 25 years since the Center for Disease Control first published a mysteriously ominous item in its
weekly report on the nation’s health. Five “active homosexuals” in Los Angeles were diagnosed with a
rare pneumonia.
Soon doctors in other major cities started pooling together their data to reveal that a host of other infections
and illnesses were taking the lives of young men. Some of the illnesses were rare while others were not
deadly but the commonality among all their victims was that they were gay.
Originally dubbed the “gay cancer,” it took a while for AIDS to be reassessed as an immune disorder.
Today over a million Americans are living with HIV– nearly half of them are Black.
“In 2006, AIDS in America is a Black disease,” asserts Phill Wilson, Executive Director of the Black AIDS
Institute. “The only way for AIDS to be over in America is for AIDS to be over in Black America, and the
only way to stop AIDS in Black America is for Black people to take ownership of the disease and mount a
mass Black mobilization.”
weekly report on the nation’s health. Five “active homosexuals” in Los Angeles were diagnosed with a
rare pneumonia.
Soon doctors in other major cities started pooling together their data to reveal that a host of other infections
and illnesses were taking the lives of young men. Some of the illnesses were rare while others were not
deadly but the commonality among all their victims was that they were gay.
Originally dubbed the “gay cancer,” it took a while for AIDS to be reassessed as an immune disorder.
Today over a million Americans are living with HIV– nearly half of them are Black.
“In 2006, AIDS in America is a Black disease,” asserts Phill Wilson, Executive Director of the Black AIDS
Institute. “The only way for AIDS to be over in America is for AIDS to be over in Black America, and the
only way to stop AIDS in Black America is for Black people to take ownership of the disease and mount a
mass Black mobilization.”
| HIV 1981-2006 and beyond |
| Heroes Making A Difference Against HIV/AIDS |
Hero: The central figure in an event, period, or movement; an illustrious warrior; endowed with great
strength or ability.
During the 25-year AIDS pandemic, many heroes have surfaced and fought on the front lines of activism.
They’ve ranged across the spectrum in age, class, race, gender, and sexual orientation. They’ve also
represented the different fields of entertainment, science, spirituality, politics, and countless others. These
men and women truly made and are still making a difference within their communities and across the world.
But somewhere down the line a transformation occurs. When an individual overcomes fear, stigma, the
status quo and institutional discrimination all in order to save the lives of others, they no longer walk, talk,
and exist as ordinary beings. Instead they now walk, talk, and exist as modern day heroes who are uplifting
and changing the world forever in their very own unique way.
strength or ability.
During the 25-year AIDS pandemic, many heroes have surfaced and fought on the front lines of activism.
They’ve ranged across the spectrum in age, class, race, gender, and sexual orientation. They’ve also
represented the different fields of entertainment, science, spirituality, politics, and countless others. These
men and women truly made and are still making a difference within their communities and across the world.
But somewhere down the line a transformation occurs. When an individual overcomes fear, stigma, the
status quo and institutional discrimination all in order to save the lives of others, they no longer walk, talk,
and exist as ordinary beings. Instead they now walk, talk, and exist as modern day heroes who are uplifting
and changing the world forever in their very own unique way.
| The 2006 Heroes In The Struggles Honorees: |
In 1986, Warwick led the American Foundation for AIDS Research
(amfAR) benefit single "That's What Friends Are For" with Friends (Gladys
Knight, Elton John, and Stevie Wonder). The tune became a No. 1 hit and a
Grammy Award for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals.
Still deemed as a “gay” man’s disease at the time, the proceeds from “That’s
What Friends Are For” were donated to amfAR in 1985 in the United
Kingdom and in 1986 in the United States. While many celebrities are now
stepping forward in the fight, it was Dionne and Friends who were the
pioneers of this movement.
(amfAR) benefit single "That's What Friends Are For" with Friends (Gladys
Knight, Elton John, and Stevie Wonder). The tune became a No. 1 hit and a
Grammy Award for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals.
Still deemed as a “gay” man’s disease at the time, the proceeds from “That’s
What Friends Are For” were donated to amfAR in 1985 in the United
Kingdom and in 1986 in the United States. While many celebrities are now
stepping forward in the fight, it was Dionne and Friends who were the
pioneers of this movement.
In 1998, after learning that more than half of the new HIV cases among
women in Los Angeles County strike African Americans, Tony Wafford got
into the prevention business. It dawned on him that the face of the virus
could potentially be the face of his 22-year-old daughter.
"A light went on over my head," he says. "I love my daughter more than I
love oxygen. That's when I started getting involved."
For years, he worked the streets, handing out free condoms and advice. In
2004, he convened the first-ever national African-American summit on
AIDS. Today, Wafford is community advisory board chair for the HIV
Prevention Trials Network in Los Angeles and is bringing HIV/AIDS out into
the open and getting much needed information out into the community.
women in Los Angeles County strike African Americans, Tony Wafford got
into the prevention business. It dawned on him that the face of the virus
could potentially be the face of his 22-year-old daughter.
"A light went on over my head," he says. "I love my daughter more than I
love oxygen. That's when I started getting involved."
For years, he worked the streets, handing out free condoms and advice. In
2004, he convened the first-ever national African-American summit on
AIDS. Today, Wafford is community advisory board chair for the HIV
Prevention Trials Network in Los Angeles and is bringing HIV/AIDS out into
the open and getting much needed information out into the community.
| ||||||||||
| Dionne Warwick |
| Tony Wafford |
Polk is the creator of LOGO’s hit series “Noah’s Arc”-- The series is based
upon the lives, loves, trials, and tribulations of four Black gay men in Los
Angeles. Over two seasons, the show has ventured deeply into an array of
topics affecting black gay men including HIV/AIDS.
The HIV/AIDS storyline is weaved effortlessly in and out of the plot
without giving the appearance or the feel of preachiness. Instead the series
provides extensive information in a non-threatening manner and is probably
the most effective media intervention and HIV prevention effort targeted
solely towards black gay men developed to date.
upon the lives, loves, trials, and tribulations of four Black gay men in Los
Angeles. Over two seasons, the show has ventured deeply into an array of
topics affecting black gay men including HIV/AIDS.
The HIV/AIDS storyline is weaved effortlessly in and out of the plot
without giving the appearance or the feel of preachiness. Instead the series
provides extensive information in a non-threatening manner and is probably
the most effective media intervention and HIV prevention effort targeted
solely towards black gay men developed to date.
| Patrik-Ian Polk |
| Duane Cramer |
For over 30 years, Rashidah Abdul-Khabeer has been an advocate for women
and minorities on health care, social services, education and economic
development. A registered nurse, Abdul-Khabeer in 1985 founded BEBASHI
which stands for Blacks Educating other Blacks on Sexual Health Issues.
This organization was founded in response to the increasing incidence of
HIV/AIDS in the African American community of Philadelphia. At the time,
there were no HIV/AIDS educational programs or services targeting the
African American or other communities of color. The stigma associated with
HIV/AIDS immobilized the usual community response to a devastating threat.
BEBASHI launched a major community outreach education and service effort
to combat the sexual health concerns of communities of color.
and minorities on health care, social services, education and economic
development. A registered nurse, Abdul-Khabeer in 1985 founded BEBASHI
which stands for Blacks Educating other Blacks on Sexual Health Issues.
This organization was founded in response to the increasing incidence of
HIV/AIDS in the African American community of Philadelphia. At the time,
there were no HIV/AIDS educational programs or services targeting the
African American or other communities of color. The stigma associated with
HIV/AIDS immobilized the usual community response to a devastating threat.
BEBASHI launched a major community outreach education and service effort
to combat the sexual health concerns of communities of color.
| Rashidah Abdul-Khabeer |
Duane Cramer has been compared to photography masters – Gordon
Parks, Patrick Demarchelier and Herb Ritts. He has captured the images
of notable celebrities and prominent politicians alike. His work has also
been seen in international publications such as Harper’s Bazaar, Oggi
(Italy), Blue (Australia), Manner Aktuell (Germany), The Advocate, and
Pink Magazine.
Cramer, who is openly gay, is also open about his HIV+ status. He is also
an active volunteer with the Black AIDS Institute. In addition, he has
been extremely active within the LGBT community where he currently
serves as Vice President of Frameline, the largest and oldest LGBT Film
Festival / Visual Arts organization in the world. His past Board of Director
member affiliations have included the San Francisco GLBT Community
Center, The NAMES Project AIDS Memorial Quilt, and for the
Millennium March on Washington which he served as Co-chair.
Duane’s father, Joe J. Cramer, Jr. PhD died of AIDS related complications
in 1986 and his death was a pivotal source behind Duane’s current
activism.
Parks, Patrick Demarchelier and Herb Ritts. He has captured the images
of notable celebrities and prominent politicians alike. His work has also
been seen in international publications such as Harper’s Bazaar, Oggi
(Italy), Blue (Australia), Manner Aktuell (Germany), The Advocate, and
Pink Magazine.
Cramer, who is openly gay, is also open about his HIV+ status. He is also
an active volunteer with the Black AIDS Institute. In addition, he has
been extremely active within the LGBT community where he currently
serves as Vice President of Frameline, the largest and oldest LGBT Film
Festival / Visual Arts organization in the world. His past Board of Director
member affiliations have included the San Francisco GLBT Community
Center, The NAMES Project AIDS Memorial Quilt, and for the
Millennium March on Washington which he served as Co-chair.
Duane’s father, Joe J. Cramer, Jr. PhD died of AIDS related complications
in 1986 and his death was a pivotal source behind Duane’s current
activism.
In l986, Dr. Beckwith founded a trans-denominational community, which
today counts a membership of 9,000 devoted to the study and practice of
the New Thought-Ancient Wisdom tradition of spirituality. Agape’s outreach
ministries feed the homeless, serve individuals who are imprisoned and their
families, partner with community service organizations active in children’s
schools, camps and shelters, and develops programs that advocate the
preservation of the planet’s environmental resources.
Beckwith’s inner vision reveals a world joined together by humankind’s
highest development spiritually, philosophically, educationally, scientifically,
governmentally and socially. His renown as a harbinger of the world’s quest
for peace has drawn into his visionary orbit those whose names are
synonymous with this goal.
today counts a membership of 9,000 devoted to the study and practice of
the New Thought-Ancient Wisdom tradition of spirituality. Agape’s outreach
ministries feed the homeless, serve individuals who are imprisoned and their
families, partner with community service organizations active in children’s
schools, camps and shelters, and develops programs that advocate the
preservation of the planet’s environmental resources.
Beckwith’s inner vision reveals a world joined together by humankind’s
highest development spiritually, philosophically, educationally, scientifically,
governmentally and socially. His renown as a harbinger of the world’s quest
for peace has drawn into his visionary orbit those whose names are
synonymous with this goal.
| Dr. Michael Benard Beckwith |
Herndon Davis is an author, lecturer, and TV/Radio Host. He can be reached directly at www.herndondavis.com
Copyrighted 2006
Copyrighted 2006
