Blog Posts Related to the African American Community

  • The Impact of HIV/AIDS on the African American Community: Myths and Facts

    Posted by Hadiyah Charles on June 8, 2011 at 3:38 PM EDT

    Ed. Note: Champions of Change is a weekly initiative to highlight Americans who are making an impact in their communities and helping our country rise to meet the many challenges of the 21st century.

    This past Tuesday, I was incredibly humbled and honored to be invited to the White House as a Champion of Change. As I toured the White House and met with administration officials I couldn’t help but think about how far we’ve come and how much more work needs to be done to end the HIV epidemic. 

    30 years later, we are still struggling with stigma, increased levels of miseducation and deep-rooted fear of those infected with HIV. Just this week, while drinking with friends and colleagues, I was reminded of how much more work we have to do when it comes to educating the public at large about how HIV is transmitted. We ordered a huge drink (bucket sized), one that came complete with six fun neon straws.  Folks were chatting, laughing and having a grand ole time. As the evening progressed, people began to forget which straws were theirs. One person exclaimed, “It’s okay if I drink from someone else’s straw—I’m not sick, its not like I have AIDS or anything!” That comment struck me like a lightening bolt… and I kept thinking, “Thirty years into this epidemic, and still, there are people that think HIV can be transmitted by drinking from the same glass or straw…”

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  • Secretary Sebelius Delivers Keynote at Hampton University 97th Annual Ministers’ Conference

    Posted by Nicole Young on June 7, 2011 at 11:42 AM EDT

    U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius will deliver keynote remarks at 7pm tonight, June 7, 2011 at the Hampton University 97th Annual Ministers’ Conference.  Secretary Sebelius will be joined by Dr. John S. Wilson, Jr., executive director of the White House Initiative on HBCUs in addressing over 5000 ministers from across the country.  She will discuss health disparities and the critical role conference attendees serve as educators and health leaders in their communities. Visit Hampton University’s website and learn more about this year’s conference. 

    Read the full text of Secretary Sebelius' speech here.

    Secretary Sebelius official

    U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius

    John Wilson Official

    Executive Director of the White House Initiative on HBCUs, John S. Wilson, Jr.

  • Supporting the Next Generation of Urban Entrepreneurs

    Posted by Nicole Young on June 6, 2011 at 1:51 PM EDT

    In response the enthusiasm and energy surrounding the White House Urban Entrepreneurship Summit, the Institute for Entrepreneurial Leadership (IFEL) announced today that they will open a 9,000 square foot small business office center in Newark, NJ. The goal of the center, which will open in mid-July in the heart of Newark’s cultural district, is to facilitate the launch or expansion of small businesses in the city.

    The facility will provide a myriad of services to its members, including furnished office spaces, conference rooms, training space, shared administrative support, and mentoring and consultation services.  Learn more about the small business office center by visiting IFEL’s website.

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  • Livestreaming the Urban Entrepreneurship Summit

    Posted by Nicole Young on June 3, 2011 at 5:32 PM EDT

    Watch the White House Urban Entrepreneurship Summit live on Monday, June 6, 2011:

    Live video chat by Ustream

    Learn more by downloading our summit agenda (pdf, 115KB).

    Join the conversation on Twitter #UrbanSummit

    Read the Hope Blog and learn more about our summit partner, Operation HOPE.

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  • A Proud Partner in the White House Urban Entrepreneurship Summit

    Posted by Nicole Young on June 3, 2011 at 4:42 PM EDT

    On Monday, June 6, 2011, media mogul and entrepreneur, Russell Simmons, will deliver keynote remarks to an array of business and community leaders from across the country at the White House Urban Entrepreneurship Summit in Newark, NJ.

    Simmons also joins a distinguished list of summit partners including Rutgers University's  Center for Urban Entrepreneurship & Economic Development, the Fund for Public Advocacy in the Office of the New York City Public Advocate, Operation HOPE, Minority Business Development Agency, Department of Housing and Urban Development, and the Small Business Administration.

    Learn more about Russell Simmons' role in the summit and lifetime passion for business by reading his op-ed, Confessions of a Life-Long Entrepreneur.

    Join the conversation on Twitter #UrbanSummit

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  • First Lady Michelle Obama Announces Visit to Africa Focused on Youth Leadership, Education, Health & Wellness

    Posted by Kori Schulman on June 3, 2011 at 11:15 AM EDT

    The First Lady just announced that she will travel to Johannesburg and Cape Town, South Africa and Gaborone, Botswana during an official visit to Africa later this month. The trip, focused on youth leadership, education, health and wellness, is a continuation of Mrs. Obama’s work to engage young people at home and abroad. Stay tuned for updates on the trip and ways to engage on WhiteHouse.gov.

    Here's the full press release:

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