Phill Wilson, President and CEO of the Black AIDS Institute, says that the disturbing disparities regarding HIV and AIDS in the black community inspired him to create the campaign. “Our house is still on fire and we don't seem to notice,” said Wilson in the official press release announcing the 30 Days Of HIV campaign.
“Even though it is not in the news as much as it was a few years ago, HIV/AIDS is an ongoing—and in among some sectors of the black community—a tragically growing crisis,” said Wilson, who is black, gay, HIV-positive man. “Black gay and bisexual men in the United States have a 50% lifetime HIV infection rate. Black women still represent 61% of the new HIV infections among women.”
Wilson say that 30 Days Of HIV was designed not only to spotlight the problem, but more importantly, what we can do to begin lessening these disparities. The campaign, which runs from May 27th through National HIV Testing Day (June 27th), has three core elements:
The Online Community Calendar to promote HIV and health related events serving black communities.
In The Life, an Instagram storytelling series titled featuring community-sourced life experiences of black, gay/bi/trans men.
And “Daily Actions,” a once-a-day call to action via BAI’s Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram pages to mobilize black communities and those who serve them.
For more information about the 30 Days Of HIV campaign, visit the Black AIDS Institute’s website.