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Birmingham hosts Southern HIV/AIDS Awareness Day

BIRMINGHAM TIMES — National experts and advocates gathered in Birmingham this week to offer insights into addressing the Southern AIDS epidemic. The event was held Wednesday, Aug. 21 on Southern HIV/AIDS Awareness Day.

Published

7 years ago

August 27, 2019

Oakland Post

National experts and advocates at Southern HIV/AIDS Awareness Day in Birmingham. From left: Rusty Bennett; Dafina Ward; Shirley Selvage; Quentin Bell; Carmarion Anderson and Aquarius Gilmer. (Photo by: Ameera Steward, The Birmingham Times)

By Ameera Steward

National experts and advocates gathered in Birmingham this week to offer insights into addressing the Southern AIDS epidemic.

The event was held Wednesday, Aug. 21 on Southern HIV/AIDS Awareness Day.

The Birmingham-based Southern AIDS Coalition (SAC) convened the professionals to speak about the importance of reducing the spread of HIV/AIDS in the South.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, of the new HIV cases in the nation, 52 percent are in the South, which is 36 percent higher than the national average, said Dafina Ward, interim executive director for SAC.

“We cannot shift the dynamic of HIV in this nation until we take a focus and strategic approach to addressing the disparities that are occurring here in the South,” Ward said during a press conference at Red Mountain Theatre. “Here at the Southern AIDS Coalition we’re deeply committed to two things: providing research, advocacy and support for people living with and impacted by HIV in the South, and removing the stigma associated with living with HIV.”

Shirley Selvage, coordinator of health education for UAB 1917 Clinic talked about the need for education so that “we can dispel the myths out there about HIV and how HIV is transmitted.”

“Just this morning I tested over 20 folks in our community for HIV and provided education,” she said. “It’s 2019 and folks are still uneducated about HIV. Individuals still think that HIV is a gay disease, but I say anybody whoever had unprotected sex can be exposed to HIV.”

The experts also highlighted the importance of addressing issues such as public policy, housing practices and discrimination, substance use, intersectional advocacy, and medical intervention to reduce the spread of HIV/AIDS.

“We must all work collaboratively towards addressing the needs of folks who are living with HIV in our region,” Ward said. “We must end stigma and discrimination…myths and lies so that we can address what’s happening in our communities. We must address systemic barriers…all of the isms, [and] the phobias that exists and that are part of the barriers that are resulting in the disproportionate impact of HIV and AIDS in the [South].”

Click to view slideshow.

Housing

Addressing the epidemic “starts at home,” said Rusty Bennett, executive director of the National AIDS Housing Coalition.

“When we think about being in the South and we understand the importance that home has for each one of us – how it represents our family, gives us opportunity – and at the National AIDS Housing Coalition we recognize that throughout this country, here in Alabama, across the South, we are facing a housing crisis,” he said.

To end the epidemic, stable, decent and affordable housing are critical, Bennett said because “once people are stabilized in housing, we see positive health outcomes, people thriving in their lives because of it.”

“And it’s only by addressing this housing crisis will we see an end to this HIV epidemic. We need additional resources to make sure that we’re prioritizing this as a critical intervention,” he said.

Quentin Bell, executive director of the Knights and Orchids Society, said the trans community faces a barrier finding “people who really see us as human beings and who want to provide us the same level of care they provide to other clients.”

There are also few leadership opportunities particularly in Alabama “where trans people can actually rise to the top and be able to build skills and develop to be able to empower our community ourselves and advocate for ourselves,” Bell said.

Carmarion Anderson, national co-facilitator of TransFaith of the Fellowship of Affirming Ministries, said, “as a trans woman, I understand the disparity that we go through on a day-to day basis…the data will show…that we are now the new cases of HIV because we’re being overlooked.”

Anderson added that the trans community also needs “equitable access to healthcare . . . equitable access to health benefits, and equitable access to jobs, equitable access to transportation – things that are going to allow us to thrive.”

Bipartisan Support

Aquarius Gilmer, SAC’s director of government affairs and advocacy, said Southern HIV/AIDS Awareness Day was bipartisan support and pointed out the President Donald Trump announced that he has a 10-year plan to end HIV domestically.

“We think that it’s not only bold and honorable, but we also think it’s possible,” Gilmer said. “And so today we are sitting here in Alabama and Birmingham…with a group of advocates from across the South who bring all of their challenges and solutions to bear so that we might be able to mount an effective response.”

Gilmer said Republicans and Democrats must make a concerted effort to make sure that “Alabamians across this state and Southerners will have the resources [for] access to transportation, to care, to quality and comprehensive care, as well as the other supportive services that help people to thrive.”

Gilmer said, “We are deeply committed here at the Southern AIDS Coalition to an intersectional approach and we do that through many ways, but one of the main ways…through a bipartisan opportunity to use and leverage the resources of committee chairs… so that we can bring about an end to this domestic epidemic,” said Gilmer.

The advocates pointed out a number of places in the Birmingham metro area where people can acquire accurate information and ensure that they have support and get testing such as UAB 1917 Clinic, AIDS Alabama, Birmingham AIDS Outreach and the Jefferson County HIV Prevention Network, which is a coordinated effort of organizations.

This article originally appeared in The Birmingham Times.

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Poll Shows Support for Policies That Help Families Afford Child Care

BLACKPRESSUSA NEWSWIRE — New national polling shows persistent voter concern about the affordability and availability of child care for working parents, alongside broad support across key demographic groups for federal child care policies that help families afford care.

Published

1 week ago

March 2, 2026

Oakland Post

By First Five Years Fund

New national polling shows persistent voter concern about the affordability and availability of child care for working parents, alongside broad support across key demographic groups for federal child care policies that help families afford care.

The national survey was conducted by UpOne Insight on behalf of the First Five Years Fund from January 13–18, 2026.

Key findings include:

• Parents need help: 80% of voters say the ability of working parents to find and afford child care is either in a state of crisis or a major problem.

• This is an affordability issue: 82% believe federal child care funding will help lower costs for working families — including 69% of Republicans, 84% of Independents, and 94% of Democrats.

• And there continues to be strong support (62%) for the Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG), a federal program that makes it possible for hundreds of thousands of families to afford safe, quality care for their children while parents work or go to school, including a majority of Republicans, 63% of Independents and 72% of Democrats.

• Support for funding child care programs remains strong: 75% believe child care funding should be increased or kept at current levels — including 75% of Republicans, 85% of Independents, and 97% of Democrats.

• 74% say funding for child care is an important and good use of tax dollars, including a majority of Republicans, three-quarters of Independents, and nine in ten Democrats.

FFYF Executive Director Sarah Rittling said, “Voters across the country are sending a clear message: federal child care and early learning programs work. These investments help parents stay in the workforce, strengthen families, and support healthy child development. They have also long had strong bipartisan support in Congress. At a time when affordability is top of mind for families, continued federal funding is essential to ensure child care remains accessible and within reach.”

First Five Years Fund works to protect, prioritize, and build bipartisan support for quality child care and early learning programs at the federal level. Reliable, affordable, and high-quality early learning and child care can be transformative, not only enhancing a child’s prospects for a brighter future but also bolstering working parents and fostering economic stability nationwide.

We work with Congress and the Administration to identify federal solutions that work for families with young children, as well as states and communities. We work with policymakers to identify ways to increase access to affordable, high-quality child care and early learning programs for children. And we collaborate with advocacy groups to help align best practices with the best possible policies. http://www.ffyf.org

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Trump’s MAGA Allies are Creating Executive Order Plan to Steal the 2026 Midterms

NNPA NEWSWIRE — The document that could lead to an executive order proposes using the claim that China interfered with the 2020 elections as grounds to “declare a national emergency.” The move would be an unprecedented step that would grant Trump new authority over the voting systems in the U.S.

Published

1 week ago

February 27, 2026

Oakland Post

By Lauren Victoria Burke, NNPA Newswire Correspondent

A group of MAGA pro-Trump activists, who say they are working in coordination with the White House, are circulating a 17-page draft executive order that would claim without evidence that China interfered with the 2020 presidential election. Donald Trump lost the 2020 presidential to President Joe Biden by over 7 million votes. Since Trump lost to Biden in 2020, he has repeatedly claimed that the election was “stolen” without evidence. The report of a group of “Trump allies” preparing an executive order to give Trump power over elections was first reported by The Washington Post.

The lies around the right-wing campaign that pushed falsehoods that the 2020 election was stolen was trafficked through right-wing media, particularly Fox News. Fox News was then sued for defamation for the claims by Dominion Voting Systems. Fox lost the case and had to settle for the largest defamation amount on record of $787.5 million in April 2023.

The document that could lead to an executive order proposes using the claim that China interfered with the 2020 elections as grounds to “declare a national emergency.” The move would be an unprecedented step that would grant Trump new authority over the voting systems in the U.S.

The story in The Washington Post arrives as Trump increasingly signals that he may take actions that would alter the result of the 2026 midterms. The Republicans are widely expected to lose as their approval ratings plummet as a result of a failing economy under Trump. Over 50 members of Congress have announced they will retire this year and not return in 2027.

The Trump Department of Justice, which now has a large image of Trump on the side of it, “sued five new states Thursday [Feb. 26, 2026] demanding access to their unredacted voter rolls — escalating a campaign that has been rejected by multiple federal courts and faces resistance from Republican-led states as well,” according to Democracy Docket, a group that works to protect voting rights.

Trump claimed back in late 2020, the last year of his first term, that he had the authority to issue an executive order related to mail-in voting for the 2020 elections — which he would then lose. But the Constitution states that control of elections lies with the states. As the GOP works to place hurdles in front of voting, Democrats worked to make voting easier.

In March 2021, President Biden signed an executive order calling on federal agencies to expand voting access as part of the Biden Administration’s effort “to promote and defend the right to vote for all Americans who are legally entitled to participate in elections.”

Trump’s focus is clearly on altering the November 2026 midterm elections. Trump’s polling numbers and the elections and special elections that have taken place around the U.S. over the last year clearly indicate that Republicans are about to be hit by a blue wave of Democratic victories.

Lauren Victoria Burke is an independent investigative journalist and the founder of Black Virginia News. She is a political analyst who appears on #RolandMartinUnfiltered and hosts the show LAUREN LIVE on YouTube @LaurenVictoriaBurke. She can be contacted at LBurke007@gmail.com and on twitter at @LVBurke

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PRESS ROOM: NBA Hall of Fame Nominee Terry Cummings Joins 100 Black Men of DeKalb County to Launch Victory & Values Initiative

NNPA NEWSWIRE — NBA Hall of Fame nominee and Basketball Legend Terry Cummings was administered the official member’s oath and ceremonially pinned during a special induction ceremony held on Friday, February 20th.

Published

1 week ago

February 27, 2026

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Cummings becomes an honorary member, joining other role model sports stars

NBA Hall of Fame nominee and Basketball Legend Terry Cummings has officially become an honorary member of the 100 Black Men of DeKalb County, marking a powerful new chapter for the 100 Black Men and youth development across the region.

Cummings was administered the official member’s oath and ceremonially pinned during a special induction ceremony held on Friday, February 20th. The moment signified more than membership — it marked the launch of the organization’s transformative new platform, the Victory & Values Initiative.

The Victory & Values Initiative is a groundbreaking youth development program designed to empower elementary and middle school students through a dynamic blend of sports, mentorship, and STEM exposure. The initiative focuses on building health, discipline, character, leadership, and access to opportunity — creating pathways for long-term academic and personal success.

“This is about more than sports,” said Cummings during the ceremony. “It’s about using the platform of athletics to teach life lessons, create access, and build the next generation of leaders.”

The induction ceremony also featured notable guests including NASCAR’s newest Star Driver, Lavar Scott and NASCAR Director of Athletic Performance, Phil Horton, who joined Cummings for a powerful Victory & Values Town Hall discussion. The Town Hall was moderated by renowned Sports Emcee John Hollins and focused on leadership, resilience, discipline, and the importance of mentorship in shaping young lives.

A “Day at NASCAR” for 75+ Youth

Cummings wasted no time getting to work. On his first full day as an honorary member, he joined his new brothers of the 100 Black Men of DeKalb County to host a “Day at NASCAR,” escorting more than 75 youth to a once-in-a-lifetime experience at EchoPark Motor Speedway (formerly Atlanta Motor Speedway).

The youth participants received behind-the-scenes access including: an exclusive tour of Pit Row, access to the Garage Area and exploration of the interactive Fan Zone.

The experience culminated with a surprise meet-and-greet and Q&A session with NASCAR Superstar Bubba Wallace, who shared insights on perseverance, preparation, and breaking barriers in professional sports.

The day served as a living example of the ‘Victory & Values’ Initiative in action — exposing youth to new industries, expanding their vision for the future, and connecting them directly with high- level mentors and role models.

Building Leaders Through Access and Mentorship

The 100 Black Men of DeKalb County – a chapter of the largest, national mentoring organization in the county – continues to expand its footprint with programs focused on academic excellence, economic empowerment, leadership development, and health & wellness.

The launch of ‘Victory & Values’ represents a strategic expansion of the organization’s impact

intentionally integrating athletics and STEM to engage youth at an early age while reinforcing core principles such as integrity, accountability, teamwork, and perseverance.

“Our mission has always been to mentor the next generation,” said Vaughn Irons, President-Elect of the 100 Black Men of DeKalb County. “With Terry Cummings joining the brotherhood, along with partners in NASCAR and professional sports, we are creating unprecedented access and exposure for our youth. Victory & Values is about turning inspiration into structured opportunity.”

By connecting elementary and middle school students to professional athletes, executives, STEM professionals, and community leaders, the initiative aims to:

Increase youth exposure to careers in sports business, engineering, and performance science
Strengthen mentorship pipelines
Promote physical wellness and mental resilience
Build character-driven leadership at an early age

Open Invitation to Youth and Families

All youth are invited to participate in the Victory & Values Initiative, along with the other countless, impactful programs offered by the 100 Black Men of DeKalb County.

Parents and guardians seeking mentorship, leadership development, academic enrichment, and transformative exposure opportunities for their children are encouraged to connect with the organization.

As NBA Legend Terry Cummings’ induction demonstrates, Victory & Values is more than a program — it is a movement designed to build champions in life, not just in sports.

For more information about the Victory & Values Initiative or to enroll a student, contact: 100 Black Men of DeKalb County at Phone at 404.241.1338, info@100bmod.org or Tee Foxx at 404.791.6525,