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These events offer plenty of opportunities to make friends and influence people! Most are open for individual registration, and many offer scholarships. Whether your ambitions run to lighting a candle on World AIDS Day or becoming a treatment activist campaigning for the cure, you'll find out how here.
Black History Month
What started in 1926 as "Negro History Week" has since grown to a month-long celebration of African-American contributions to U.S. history. HIV organizations like Gay Men's Health Crisis are holding events all month. Be sure to check with your local HIV organization to see how they're marking Black History Month.
The 8th National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day (NBHAAD)
February 7
Launched in 2001 to raise awareness of the HIV crisis in the African-American community, National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day organizers want you to "get tested, get treated, get educated, get involved." Check out the Web site for events near you.
Healthcare in the Black Americas Conference
February 23, New York, N.Y.
This daylong series of discussion groups will address an array of health topics in the black community, including the impact of HIV. The event will conclude in keynote addresses from Drs. Mindy and Robert Fullilove, of Columbia University.
The National Conference on African Americans and AIDS (NCAAA)
February 25-26, Philadelphia, Pa.
The National Conference on African Americans and AIDS brings together health professionals, service providers, policymakers and advocates to discuss the latest HIV issues in the African-American community, with such leaders as Dr. Beny Primm and Phill Wilson. Click here to register or call (866) 901-6267.
MARCH
The 18th Annual Black Church Week of Prayer for the Healing of AIDS
March 2-8
Spearheaded by the pioneering Balm In Gilead, this week of prayer is the largest HIV awareness campaign in the black faith community, encouraging churches worldwide to offer services ranging from sermons on compassion for people with HIV to free testing for congregations. Register online or call (888) 225-6243.
Inland Empire 4th Annual HIV/AIDS Conference
March 19, Cabazon, Calif.
The conference will offer information on HIV in the Latino and African-American communities, including HIV and nutrition, harm reduction and crystal methamphetamine, hepatitis C and HIV coinfection, and HIV treatment.
APRIL
Training: HIV/AIDS Stigma and Access to Care
April 10-11, Des Moines, Iowa
The HIV/AIDS Stigma Program, sponsored by the National Minority AIDS Council, offers trainings that focus on how stigma prevents people from seeking HIV testing, counseling, care and disclosing their status. Open to employees of Ryan White CARE Act-funded agencies that provide HIV services to communities of color.
AIDSWatch
April 28-30, Washington, D.C.
The National Association of People With AIDS empowers positive folks to advocate for themselves with its annual AIDSWatch, a crash course in lobbying followed by the storming of Capitol Hill to hold elected officials accountable in the fight against HIV. For more information, e-mail info@napwa.org or call (240) 247-0880.
JUNE
The HIV Prevention Leadership Summit
June 11-14, Detroit, Mich.
For 14 years, this meeting, sponsored by the National Minority AIDS Council, has brought together community leaders and health departments to share the successes and challenges of HIV prevention. Click here to register.
Training: HIV/AIDS Stigma and Access to Care
June 19-20, Denver, Colo.
The HIV/AIDS Stigma Program, sponsored by the National Minority AIDS Council, offers trainings that focus on how stigma prevents people from seeking HIV testing, counseling, care and disclosing their status. Open to employees of Ryan White CARE Act-funded agencies that provide HIV services to communities of color.
National HIV Testing Day
June 27
Launched by the National Association of People With AIDS in 1995, National HIV Testing Day promotes voluntary testing for everyone in the United States, not only by providing information about HIV risk and testing sites, but also by connecting community groups of all kinds with local and state health department testing resources. Click here to view HIV Testing Day fact sheets. For more information, e-mail nhtd@napwa.org or call (240) 247-0880.
JULY
The 106th National Medical Association Convention and Scientific Assembly
July 26-31, Atlanta, Ga.
The National Medical Association, which boasts some 25,000 African-American physician members, holds an annual conference with 25 specialty sections that make it the nation's top forum on medical science and African-American health.
AUGUST
Training-of-Trainers: HIV/AIDS Stigma and Access to Care
August 7-8, St. Louis, Mo.
The HIV/AIDS Stigma Program, sponsored by the National Minority AIDS Council, offers trainings that focus on how stigma prevents people from seeking HIV testing, counseling, care and disclosing their status. Open to employees of Ryan White CARE Act-funded agencies that provide HIV services to communities of color. This training is designed to prepare selected participants to become part of the HIV/AIDS Stigma Training Network as consultants.
SEPTEMBER
United States Conference on AIDS (USCA)
September 18-21, Miami Beach, Fla.
USCA brings together some 3,000 people with HIV, advocates, medical professionals and policymakers to exchange information and create support networks on an array of HIV issues. Register by e-mailing or call (202) 483-6622 extension 343.
DECEMBER
The 21st World AIDS Day
December 1
World AIDS Day, organized by the Amsterdam-based World AIDS Campaign, is the "high holy day" of the HIV calendar, when international media, governments, corporations and institutions -- from prisons to preschools -- pause for a moment to pay tribute to the human toll of the epidemic. HIV advocacy groups hold colorful and creative marches, memorials and other events to promote awareness, prevention and treatment. From 2005 to 2010, World AIDS Day's theme is "Keep the Promise," a direct challenge to nations across the globe to follow up on pledges made to fully finance the Global Fund and other efforts to provide lifesaving treatment and services to the developing world. Go to the Web site to add your own promise to this international campaign and to get involved in local events. Visit The Body's page to learn more about World AIDS Day and stay up-to-date on related news.
The 19th Day With(Out) Art
December 1
A companion event to World AIDS Day, some 8,000 international museums and galleries mark what began in 1989 as a massive commemoration of the loss of artists to AIDS and has grown into a day of action, exhibits and even art-making about the epidemic. For local events, check out their Web site, e-mail info@visualaids.org or call (212) 627-9855.
Divas Simply Singing!
Divas Simply Singing! is a soulful musical evening presented by the Diva Foundation, which is dedicated to HIV awareness, prevention and treatment. Each year, gifted female artists sing their hearts out to raise funds for HIV organizations. The Diva Foundation was started in 1990 by singer and actress Sheryl Lee Ralph, as a poignant tribute to her many friends who had died of AIDS. Eighteen years on, it continues with a mission to support people living with HIV and to prevent new infections.
Joyce McDonald Ministries
This online gallery features many of McDonald's sculptures and paintings, which were inspired by her life as a deeply spiritual, African-American woman with HIV.