Philly FIGHT Kicks Off AIDS Education Month

AIDS Education Month 2015 kicked off on Tuesday, June 2 at the Philadelphia's Independence Visitor Center, marking the beginning of AIDS Education Month, a month-long series of conferences, workshops and events with the purpose of increasing awareness and reducing the stigma of HIV and AIDS in the Greater Philadelphia area.

The 2015 Kiyoshi Kuromiya Award will be presented to Deon Haywood, the Executive Director of Women With A Vision (WWAV). WWAV is a New Orleans-based community organization founded in 1989 to improve the lives of marginalized women, their families, and communities by addressing the social conditions that hinder their health and well-being.

Haywood is a well-regarded leader and speaker on the intersection of HIV/AIDS, harm reduction, LGBTQ rights, reproductive justice and criminalization. She has won numerous awards including the 2011 "Political Activism Award" by the Forum for Equality and the "Teri Estrada Memorial Award" from AIDS Law Louisiana. Haywood has appeared on C-SPAN, BET, and "The Melissa Harris-Perry Show" on MSNBC.

The ceremony will also include a special tribute in memory of Gloria Casarez, former director of the Mayor's Office of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Affairs.

The month of events includes educational presentations in various communities throughout the city, special events for target populations, and major outreach to encourage all Philadelphians to get tested for HIV also takes place during AIDS Education Month. Over 10,000 individuals are directly reached by Philadelphia FIGHT's efforts every June.

Philadelphia FIGHT has released a schedule of events for AIDS Education Month 2015, a one-of-a-kind city-wide program held annually in June. AIDS Education Month (AEM) is a series of events, conferences and workshops to increase AIDS awareness and exchange the most up-to-date, advanced HIV information. This is the 21st annual AEM.

This year's Honorary Chair is KYW Newsradio 1060's Community Affairs Reporter, Cherri Gregg. Co-chairs are Ann Ricksecker, Associate Executive Director, Health Federation of Philadelphia, and Bishop Dwayne Royster, Senior Pastor and Founder, Living Water United Church and Executive Director of POWER (Philadelphians Organized to Witness Empower and Rebuild).

AEM 2015 Schedule of Events

? Opening Reception and Awards Ceremony, Tuesday, June 2, 5:30-7:30 p.m., Independence Visitor Center, 6th & Market Streets

� This is the official kickoff celebration for AIDS Education Month 2015.

� Deon Haywood, Executive Director of Women With A Vision, a New Orleans-based community organization focused on improving the lives of marginalized women, their families, and communities by addressing the social conditions that hinder their health and well-being. Haywood, a nationally recognized leader in addressing the complex intersection of socio-economic injustices and health disparities, will be presented with the 2015 Kiyoshi Kuromiya award.

? The End AIDS 2015 Conference, Monday, June 8, 8 a.m.-6 p.m., Pennsylvania Convention Center, 13th & Arch Streets

� This is AEM's newest and largest event.

� The conference will combine our three signature summits, the HIV Prevention and Outreach Summit, the Prison Health Care and Reentry Summit, and the Faith Leaders and Community Summit, into one big event.

� Over 1500 people will attend and over 65 workshops will be offered.

� Opening Plenary Speakers:

o Piper Kerman, Bestselling Author, Memoirist, and Prison Reform Activist. In her memoir "Orange is the New Black: My Year in a Woman's Prison," she recounts the year that she spent in the Danbury Correctional Facility for a crime she had committed ten years prior. The memoir was adapted into an original Netflix series of the same name.

o Everett Gillison, Chief of Staff to the Mayor and Deputy Mayor for Public Safety. Gillison leads a collaborative effort with the police department and other agencies in the criminal justice system to provide a more holistic approach to the prevention and the enhancement of public safety throughout the city.

o Julie (JD) Davids, Managing Editor, TheBody.com, the web's treasure trove of voices and information on HIV/AIDS. As a member of ACT UP Philadelphia, co-founder of Project TEACH at Philadelphia FIGHT and organizer at HealthGAP, Julie (JD) Davids worked on pivotal campaigns and programs to arm a cadre of treatment educators and activists living with HIV.

? Gospel Concert, Sunday, June 14, 5-8 p.m., Mt. Airy Church of God in Christ, 6401 Ogontz Avenue

� This event has become an AIDS Education Month tradition. Join us for an inspirational night of gospel music where we will lift our spirits through song.

� This year's Gospel Concert will feature JJ Hairston & Youthful Praise.

? The Summit Ball: Climbing Our Way to the Top , Saturday, June 20, 7 p.m.-Midnight, University of the Arts, Hamilton Hall, 320 S. Broad Street

� Philadelphia FIGHT, The COLOURS Organization, and Philadelphia Black Pride will host the Summit Ball as part of AIDS Education Month. This event is one of this region's most recognized house/ballroom community events that integrates HIV prevention with electrified talent, creativity and artistry.

? Hip Hop for Philly on National HIV Testing Day, Saturday, June 27

� Philadelphia FIGHT and Children's Hospital of Philadelphia seek to motivate 2,000 young people to get tested for HIV by offering a free Hip Hop Concert on National HIV Testing Day. Individuals between the ages of 13 and 24 will receive a ticket if they get a free HIV test at a variety of participating locations throughout the city. Go to www.fight.org/hiphop for more information.

? Community Cookout, Sunday, June 28, 1 p.m. - 4 p.m., Fairmount Park, Area #2, 33rd Street and Cecil B. Moore Avenue

� The annual cookout is a chance to relax, kick back, and enjoy the community that AEM brings together. There will be a DJ, dancing, and games for kids of all ages.

Educational presentations in various communities throughout the city, special events for target populations, and major outreach to encourage all Philadelphians to get tested for HIV also take place during AIDS Education Month. Over 10,000 individuals are directly reached by Philadelphia FIGHT's efforts every June.

To register for any of the month's events or for more information, call 215-985-4448 x 200 or visit www.aidseducationmonth.org. All AIDS Education Month events are free.