| America does not feel safe. The radical right has weaponized my existence so there is a bounty on my head, and that of everyone who is different. Club Q was another on a long list of mass shootings. Nothing makes sense and everyone is afraid. The Right hates the Left, the Left hates the Right, and people are being killed. Thursday is World AIDS Day and there are events across the world. I pray for our safety because we cannot hide and must fight. Join us in person or online. RSVP for the briefing and/or the free reception at RSVP@NMAC.org.
Congress of the United States
Washington, D.C. 20515
November 21, 2022
Minority AIDS Initiative Briefing
Thursday, December 1, 2022, 9:30 a.m. – 10:15 a.m.
Followed by a reception, 10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
2359 Rayburn House Office Building
Dear Colleague:
By now, you should have received an invitation to NMAC’s World AIDS Day briefing on the Minority AIDS Initiative (MAI). The briefing will be held on Thursday, December 1, 2022, from 9:30 a.m. – 10:15 a.m. in 2359 RHOB. Immediately following the briefing, NMAC will host a reception honoring Members of Congress for their contribution towards ending the HIV epidemic. The reception will take place from 10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. in the same room.
Racial and ethnic minorities continue to be severely and disproportionately impacted by HIV/AIDS in the United States. People of color represent the majority of new HIV diagnoses, people living with HIV/AIDS, and deaths among people with HIV/AIDS. African Americans account for 43 percent and Latinos account for 26 percent of new HIV diagnoses. Asian Americans, Native Americans, and persons of multiple races account for an additional 5 percent combined. Tragically, the rate of new diagnoses among African Americans and Latinos is about eight and three times that of whites respectively.
The Minority AIDS Initiative is an indispensable tool in the effort to combat these unacceptable disparities. This critical initiative targets funds for HIV/AIDS prevention, screening, treatment, education, and outreach to minority communities heavily impacted by HIV/AIDS. The funds are intended to provide community-based organizations that serve minority communities with the help they need to develop capacity and deliver culturally and linguistically appropriate care and services. Consequently, the initiative seeks to fill gaps where the needs are the greatest and strengthen efforts to fight the epidemic nationwide.
Presenting at the World AIDS Day briefing will be MAI expert Dr. Maya Rockeymoore Cummings; Harold Phillips, White House Director of the Office of National AIDS Policy; and Joe Huang-Racalto, Director of Public Policy and Strategic Partnerships at NMAC.
We hope you will consider attending NMAC’s World AIDS Day briefing and the reception that follows. To RSVP for the briefing and/or the reception, please email RSVP@NMAC.org.
Sincerely,
Maxine Waters Barbara Lee
Member of Congress Member of Congress |
