Blog Posts Related to the African American Community
National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day: Reducing HIV Among African American Communities
Posted by on February 4, 2015 at 12:33 PM EDT
Ed. note: This is cross-posted on the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' blog. See the original post here.
Like so many Americans, I have seen the tragedy firsthand of friends lost to HIV/AIDS. I’ve also seen the hope of those living with HIV as we continue to work toward an AIDS-free generation.
Each February 7, we mark National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day (NBHAAD). It’s an opportunity for all of us to honor the memory of those we’ve lost, and to call attention to the fact that HIV continues to disproportionately affect African American men, women, and youth.
The numbers are startling: African Americans represent only 14 percent of the U.S. population, but account for almost half of all new HIV infections in the United States per year, as well as more than one-third of all people living with HIV in our nation.
This year’s NBHAAD theme, “I Am My Brother’s/Sister’s Keeper: Fight HIV/AIDS,” challenges all of us to work to eliminate these unacceptable health disparities by ramping up our HIV prevention efforts, encouraging individuals to get tested, and helping those who are living with HIV to access the life-saving medical treatment they need.
Learn more aboutKicking Off Black History Month at the White House: #BlackHistoryMonth
Posted by on February 3, 2015 at 11:54 AM EDTAs a nation, we pause this February to honor Black History Month and all those who came before us. Throughout February, the White House will pay tribute both to the accomplishments of some of our country’s greatest historical giants, while also taking time to highlight stories from those whose contributions aren’t always captured in the telling of our nation’s history.
Yesterday, President Obama welcomed Dr. Clarence Jones and his family to the Oval Office. Dr. Jones was a close personal aide to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and a co-author to Dr. King’s "I Have a Dream" speech.
Later this month, we will host a Champions of Change event to highlight outstanding achievements by members of the HBCU community, and a number of calls and briefings to discuss the President’s agenda as it relates to African American communities.
There are countless men and women whose names may not appear prominently in our history books, but whose sweat, blood, and strength is woven into our national identity and continues to inform our sense of pride and dignity as Americans. Every day this month, I will be tweeting out their stories. To take part, follow me at @vj44 and tweet your suggestions of champions of Black history you think deserve to be highlighted. Make sure to use the hashtag #BlackHistoryMonth.
Learn more about Civil RightsClarence B. Jones, Advisor to Dr. Martin Luther King, Visits the White House
Posted by on February 2, 2015 at 9:34 PM EDT
President Barack Obama meets with Clarence Jones, who worked with Martin Luther King, Jr. on the “I Have a Dream" speech, and guests in the Oval Office, Feb. 2, 2015. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)
Earlier this afternoon, President Obama welcomed Clarence B. Jones — Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s personal attorney and advisor — to the White House.
Learn more about Civil RightsThe White House Recognizes HBCU Leaders Who Are Champions of Change for Advancing College Completion Among African American Students
Posted by on January 30, 2015 at 11:14 AM EDTThis Black History Month, the White House will recognize faculty and staff members at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) that drive the college completion agenda. These leaders work with students, families, higher education leaders, and policymakers to build paths to graduation.
To reach President Obama’s goal of helping our nation lead the world in college completion by 2020, we must ensure that more African American students graduate from college. Currently, the college graduation rate for African American students is 34.3 percent, compared to 47.1 percent for Asian students, 46.2 percent for white students, and 41.05 percent for Hispanic students (National Center for Education Statistics, 2015).
HBCUs meet the challenge. Innovative strategies and visionary leadership can advance college completion among African American students. For more than a century, HBCUs have been exemplars in producing African American college graduates who lead their fields. A recent report from the National Science Foundation revealed that 21 of the top 50 institutions for producing African American graduates who go on to receive their doctorates in Science and Engineering (S&E) are HBCUs. In total, between 2002 and 2011 among the top 50 institutions, HBCUs collectively produced 1,819 African American graduates who earned a doctorate in S&E, predominately white institutions produced 1,600, and foreign institutions produced 798.
Learn more about EducationWhy the Affordable Care Act Matters to African-Americans
Posted by on January 22, 2015 at 1:41 PM EDTEd. note: This is cross-posted on BET.com. See the original post here.
When Astrid Muhammad heard her phone ring this past Friday, the last thing she expected was a call from the White House inviting her to attend this year’s State of the Union as a guest of the First Lady.
A wife and mother of two young children, Muhammad woke up on a spring morning in 2013 and knew something was wrong. A visit to the doctor in May revealed a mass growing on her brain. At the time she didn’t have health insurance and delayed treatment and surgery that, according to neurosurgeons, would mean the difference between life and death. Prior to the Affordable Care Act, insurance companies could have refused treatment for her pre-existing tumor, charge higher rates or denied her coverage altogether. But, after discovering the Health Insurance Marketplace, Muhammad was able to find quality affordable health insurance coverage. So this past summer, she had her tumor successfully removed and is now moving on with her life.
And she is not alone. She attended the President’s State of the Union address as a representative of all those who have received insurance and care which has changed or saved their lives, or given them the peace of mind they need to rest more easily, without the worry that an unexpected health challenge could threaten their lives or livelihoods.
During this African-American Community Week of Action, leaders, communities and families across the country are working together to ensure that all of their loved ones, neighbors and fellow Americans have the health insurance they need – and that those who are not covered visit HealthCare.gov to get covered right away.
Learn more about Health CarePresident Obama Reflects on Dr. King's Legacy and Honors It with Service
Posted by on January 19, 2015 at 3:50 PM EDTHonoring the life of the late Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., President Obama issued a proclamation commemorating the federal holiday marking Dr. King's birthday, and encouraged all Americans to honor his legacy through their own service.
Learn more about Civil Rights, Service
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