By Reverend Keron Sadler, NAACP National Manager of Health Programs

Today we observe National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day (NBHAAD), a day that unites the Black community as we seek to change the course of the HIV epidemic. The impact of HIV among our brothers and sisters is far too great to ignore and the time for action in this HIV social justice movement is NOW.

“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” – Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Many may not know, but while Black Americans represent just 13 percent of the U.S. population, they account for 44 percent of all new HIV diagnoses. One in 16 Black men and one in 32 Black women will be diagnosed with HIV in their lifetime. In order to stop the spread of this epidemic within our community, we must be willing to confront the issue.

The NAACP and the Black Church are addressing HIV from a social justice perspective. Through the initiative, The Black Church and HIV: The Social Justice Imperative people are being informed and getting tested. Partnering with faith leaders, we are reaching into our communities to ensure that everyone is educated about HIV/AIDS and empowered to take a stand. These advocacy efforts will augment the voice of our communities on policies that directly affect health equity and access to HIV prevention, testing, treatment, and care.

For too long, we have avoided a life-saving dialogue to educate people about HIV facts. Starting the conversation about HIV is vital to our success. The National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day serves as a reminder to keep the issue of HIV as a top priority. The NAACP is standing up to correct this social injustice and we hope that you will join in the fight against HIV. If we don’t turn the tide on HIV in the Black community, we cannot possibly hope to get to an “AIDS free generation”. Partner with us today at www.TheBlackChurchandHIV.org!

Matthew 9:37 reminds us, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few.”