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PRESS RELEASE
United We Rise Works To Collectively End The HIV Epidemic For Every(Black)Body
New National Effort of Over 30 Groups Unite With the Goal to Mobilize Health
and Uplift the Quality of Life for Black People
BOSTON, MA – September 28, 2020: Today, United We Rise (UWR) launches
nationally with the goal to unite and mobilize a collective force to end the HIV epidemic
and uplift the quality of life for Black people. This new national effort is a pioneering
collaboration of over 30 groups brought together by three organizations–National Black
Gay Men’s Advocacy Coalition (NBGMAC), National Black Women’s HIV/AIDS Network
(the Network), and the Multicultural AIDS Coalition (MAC). Together, these groups and
their UWR partner organizations are working to build a Black-led, intersectional initiative
that ends HIV, while fighting for a just response to COVID-19. The work of UWR is also
grounded in the dismantling of racism that permeates Black life.
“United We Rise centers HIV in its work, but the initiative wholeheartedly embraces a
new level of collaboration with a wide range of health equity, racial, and social justice
movements,” states Gary Daffin, speaking on behalf of the three convening
organizations. “Ultimately, we envision United We Rise as a new approach to releasing
HIV’s grip.”
According to the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), Black/African
Americans account for a higher proportion of HIV diagnoses and people with HIV,
compared to other races/ethnicities. While only 13% of the nation’s population,
Black/African Americans are 42% of all new cases annually. Despite the success of
treatment that helps people live longer with HIV, the effort to stop new HIV acquisition in
the U.S. has been stuck for a decade.
“Gilead is pleased to support United We Rise, which aims to address and eliminate
health inequities, especially HIV related inequities in the Black Community. We believe
this is a critical time to continue to support community efforts that are working to improve
the health and wellness of the Black Community,” states Douglas Brooks, Executive
Director of Public Affairs for Gilead Sciences. “We at Gilead would also like to express our profound gratitude to the indefatigable planning committee. Their commitment and
dedication to the Black Community has been inspiring to observe. We look forward to
the convening and its subsequent strategic outcomes.”
The root causes of HIV’s tremendous impact on Black people are the social and political
determinants of health. These same factors influence other poor health outcomes for
Black people such as diabetes, heart disease, obesity, cancer, maternal and child
health. UWR is building a coalition to address health inequities by organizing its work
within five key focus areas of 1) Black Leadership and Organizations, 2) Black
Community Engagement, 3) Policy, 4) Intersectionality, and 5) Sexual & Gender Identity.
In all, UWR represents the diversity of the Black community—from people living with
HIV, their friends and family members, to healthcare providers, activists, researchers,
faith and spiritual leaders, public officials, and all who are dedicated to HIV and racial
justice.
To mark the launch of UWR, today, the coalition is using social media to publicly
announce its work and unveil its logo, as well as promote its mission. On September 30,
UWR will kick-off its community engagement programs with Facebook and Instagram
Live conversations led by Emil Wilbekin, Founder of Native Son, with leading voices in
the HIV movement. Additional online community engagement programs will continue
throughout the rest of the year leading up to UWR’s national convening in December
that will bring together stakeholders to discuss next steps for 2021 and the collective’s
overall strategic long-term plan.
Funding for UWR has been provided by Gilead Sciences at the Pioneer Level; ViiV
Healthcare at the Champion Level; and Houston Health Department and Broadway
Cares Equity Fight AIDS at the Empowerment Level.
For more information on UWR, visit https://www.everyblackbody.org/ as well as follow UWR on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
ABOUT UNITED WE RISE
Organized in 2019, United We Rise (UWR) is a national initiative to unite and mobilize a collective
force to end the HIV epidemic and uplift the quality of life for Black people. UWR is a Black-led,
intersectional effort that works to end HIV, while fighting for a just response to COVID-19. The
work of UWR is also grounded in the dismantling of racism that permeates Black life. UWR is a
collective of over 30 groups brought together by three organizations–National Black Gay Men’s
Advocacy Coalition (NBGMAC), National Black Women’s HIV/AIDS Network (the Network), and
the Multicultural AIDS Coalition (MAC). The effort focuses its work within five key areas: 1) Black
Leadership and Organizations, 2) Black Community Engagement, 3) Policy, 4) Intersectionality,
and 5) Sexual & Gender Identity. In all, UWR represents the diversity of the Black community and
its leadership who are dedicated to HIV and racial justice for Every(Black)Body.
For more information on UWR, visit https://www.everyblackbody.org/ as well as follow UWR on
Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
Media Contacts:
Dr. Tyrha M. Lindsey-Warren
908.672.6024
tyrha.lindsey@laicommunications.com
Kathleen Delva
716.924.0420
Kathleen.Delva@laicommunications.com
Source: LAICOMM_United+We+Rise_Launch_Press+Release_FINAL+FINAL-9.28.2020-2.pdf
https://www.everyblackbody.org/press
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