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More than 1500 people were drawn to New Orleans, Louisiana, July 6-12, 2009, for Phi Beta Sigma's 95th Anniversary Conclave. During the week-long convention, members of the almost century year old men's community service organization converged in a city still recovering from one of the nation's most impactful natural disasters. Men representing nearly every state in America, along with fraternity Brothers from abroad and their families, gathered for 6 days to reaffirm their commitment to Culture For Service and Service For Humanity. Over the 6 day conference, the community and members of the organization participated in a multitude of service activities, including forums and discussions regarding the impact HIV/AIDS is having on the African-American community.
The official opening ceremony of the conference was Tuesday and emphasis on HIV/AIDS was displayed through the showing of the 9 ½ Minute Video that states every 9 ½ minutes someone in the in the United States is infected with HIV/AIDS. The following day, at the Founders Awards Breakfast, Nu Chi chapter at Winthrop University was presented an award for its outstanding implementation of the Conversation Among Brothers Series, the fraternity's program targeted at raising the awareness of the impact of HIV/AIDS on African Americans. On Thursday, conference attendees participated in a community forum on health disparities in which Mr. Robert Bailey MPH, National Partnerships Team Lead, AAALI, from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention served as a panelist. Later that afternoon, a training and presentation for chapters interested in the Conversation Among Brothers Series was held by Ophelia Howard, Program Coordinator. She was joined by Mr. Bailey who spoke about our partnership with AAALI and participated in a question and answer session.
From Wednesday to Friday, the ACT Against AIDS Leadership Initiative(AAALI) had a booth as a part of the Sigma Village Health Fair in which information on HIV/AIDS was distributed. Conversation Among Brothers along with the New Orleans Health Department provided free HIV/AIDS testing in which The Honorable Demetrius Newton, Esq., the 24th International President for Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity led the testing efforts of 145 individuals
At the conclusion of the week-long conference, Lyfe Jennings "It's Real. Preserve Your Lyfe! CDs were provided to members of the Fraternity's youth group, The Sigma Beta Club.
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Know the facts
HIV in the United States
- According to CDC data released last year:
- Approximately 56,000 Americans become newly infected with HIV each year -- significantly more than was previously known
- More than 14,000 people with AIDS die each year in the United States.
HIV in African American communities
Today, African Americans face the most severe rates of HIV infection in nation
- Newest CDC data:
- Show African Americans make up just 12% of population but account for nearly half of new infections (45%); and almost half of those living with HIV (46%)
- The harsh reality is that one in 16 black men will be diagnosed with HIV during their lifetime as will 1 in 30 black women
- AIDS continues to be a leading killer of black men and women in the prime of their lives
- Since the beginning of the epidemic, over 200,000 African Americans with AIDS have died
- AIDS is the leading cause of death among black women 25-34 and the second leading cause of death among black men 35-44
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