We Speak Events

AHF To Commemorate MLK Holiday at Parades and Through Free HIV Testing Events Across The Country

Published

7 years ago

January 12, 2018

AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) is proud to commemorate the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday observed on January 15 by participating in MLK parades and hosting free HIV awareness and testing events in more than a dozen U.S. cities across the country, including Los Angeles and San Francisco, CA; Washington, DC; Ft. Lauderdale and Miami, FL; Atlanta, GA; Chicago, IL; Baton Rouge, LA; Dayton and Cleveland, OH; Biloxi and Jackson, MS; Greensboro and Winston-Salem, NC; New York, NY; Columbia and Holly Hill, SC; and Dallas and Ft. Worth, TX.

The full list of AHF’s MLK Day activities can be found at www.AHFParticipate.org

AHF kicked off the new year by dedicating its 2018 Rose Parade float to mark the 50th anniversary of the assassination of MLK. King was fatally shot at age 39 by escaped fugitive James Early Ray on a balcony at the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tennessee, on April 4, 1968. AHF’s 55-foot-long float recreated the “Stone of Hope” granite statue of MLK that is located on the National Mall in Washington, DC and the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, AL that King, Congressman John Lewis and other civil rights activists attempted to march across on March 9, 1965 before they were attacked by armed policemen in what came to be known as “Bloody Sunday.”

This year’s float riders included AHF Keep The Promise Youth Essay Contest Winners Lilia ‘Sweet Lily’ King (Tallahassee, FL) and Kibiriti Majuto (Charlottesville, VA); Rev. Kelvin Sauls, Senior Pastor, Holman United Methodist Church in Los Angeles and member of AHF’s Board of Directors; Susan Bro, mother of Heather Heyer, who was killed in Charlottesville, VA during a protest against an organized white supremacist demonstration; Alfred Wilson, co-founder and executive director of the Heather Heyer Foundation; and Cynthia Davis, MPH, Chair of AHF’s Board of Directors, who was interviewed by KTLA’s Gayle Anderson about this year’s float. Each Keep The Promise Youth Essay Contest winner received a $5,000 scholarship or grant for community projects; the two runners-up, received $1,000 grants from the Heather Heyer Foundation.

“As we honor the contributions of Martin Luther King Jr. and his enduring legacy that has inspired social movements around the world, we also remember the many others who have also lost their lives standing against hate and bigotry, including Heather Heyer who was killed during the horrifying white supremacist demonstration in Charlottesville last August,” said AHF President Michael Weinstein. “In cities across the country, we’re proud to march alongside activists and community leaders who are committed to seeing the full realization of Dr. King’s vision of justice and equality in our nation today.”

As African American and Latino communities continue to be disproportionately impacted by HIV/AIDS in the United States, AHF advocates and its MLK parade contingents will continue to promote the message that “AIDS Is A Civil Rights Issue” and that access to care and treatment for HIV/AIDS should be a universal human right. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), African Americans account for 44% of all people with HIV/AIDS in the United States, yet only account for 12% of the population. Latinos account for 21% of all new HIV infections nationwide, yet only represent 16% of the U.S. population. Disproportionately high numbers of HIV/AIDs cases among communities of color may be caused by several factors, including:

Lack of access to clinics for care and HIV testing, as well as to condoms and safer sex educational opportunities.
High levels of stigma surrounding HIV/AIDS in these communities prevent people from learning their HIV status, or from seeking care and speaking honestly with their sexual partners if they know they are positive.
Both society and the healthcare industry have marginalized members of these communities both on account of sexual orientation and race, blocking essential treatment, care, and education for those who need it.

We Speak Business

Empowering Brooklyn: How the Hidden Opportunity Summit is Transforming the Community

Q&A with the Jordan Ayowe, the Visionary Behind the Hidden Opportunity Summit

Published

2 weeks ago

September 3, 2024

Craig Martin

Q&A with the Jordan Ayowe, the Visionary Behind the Hidden Opportunity Summit

Q1: What was the driving force behind the creation of the Hidden Opportunity Summit, and how does it align with the current needs of the Brooklyn community?

A: The Hidden Opportunity Summit was born out of a deep commitment to community development, empowerment, and financial literacy. In areas like Brownsville, Brooklyn, there is a pressing need for programs that both educate and inspire. The summit was designed to leave actionable insights and resources, addressing specific challenges like financial insecurity, lack of access, and limited opportunities for youth—all while making it a day of fun. By focusing on sports, clean energy, financial literacy, entrepreneurship, and community engagement, the summit aligns directly with Brooklyn residents’ needs, empowering them to take control of their financial futures and create lasting change.

Q2: In what ways do you see this summit making a tangible difference in the lives of participants, particularly the youth and families involved in the programs?

A: The summit has been meticulously crafted to make a tangible difference, offering hands-on activities and resources while prioritizing the fun, community-focused aspect of the day. The financial literacy seminar, “The Languages of Money,” equips attendees with essential knowledge on budgeting, investing, and debt management. The involvement of local organizations like the Brooklyn Economic Development Center ensures the summit’s impact extends beyond just the event day. For youth and families, the distribution of 200 backpacks filled with school supplies by Vineyard Offshore ensures students are prepared for success. The day’s activities—basketball, ice cream, DJ music, face painting, and water games—create lasting memories while equipping participants with tools to navigate their financial and professional lives.

Q3: As a leader and advocate, how do you envision the Hidden Opportunity Summit evolving in the coming years? What new directions or strategies are you considering to enhance its impact?

A: I envision the Hidden Opportunity Summit evolving into a cornerstone event for community empowerment, not just in New York but potentially expanding to other underserved communities. Future summits will include more targeted youth programs, mentorship opportunities, and expanded partnerships with local businesses to providing job training and employment opportunities. By continuously adapting and responding to the community’s needs, the summit can enhance its impact year after year.

Q4: We know that community engagement is a cornerstone of events like this. How can local residents, businesses, and organizations get more involved in the summit, and what role do they play in its success?

A: Community engagement is indeed crucial to the summit’s success. Local residents participation includes attending the summit, volunteering, and spreading the word within their networks. Businesses and organizations can contribute by sponsoring the event, hosting workshops, or providing resources and materials, like the backpacks distributed this year. Their involvement is essential—the Hidden Opportunity Summit wouldn’t happen without everyone pulling together for the same cause.

Q5: As we look ahead, what are your long-term goals for the Hidden Opportunity Summit? Are there any plans to expand its reach or introduce new initiatives that will further empower the community?

A: Our long-term goal is to establishing the Hidden Opportunity Summit as a model for community-driven initiatives. We aim to make it an annual staple in New York and other underserved communities. New initiatives will include year-round programs that build on the summit’s themes, a financial literacy curriculum in local schools or a community-based entrepreneurship incubator. These initiatives provides ongoing support to participants, helping them apply what they learn at the summit in their daily lives.

Q6: Can you speak to the impact of having the lineup of prominent speakers and how that came about?

A: The lineup of prominent speakers, including industry leaders and community advocates, played a significant role in the summit’s success. Their expert opinion and insights provided attendees with valuable perspectives on workforce development, business growth, financial empowerment, and more. The range of speakers was a deliberate effort ensuring the discussion was not only informative but also relevant and inspiring to the audience.