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February 07, 2008
BET addresses the ugly history Blacks are writing for themselves
By: Janice Dayle
February 7 is Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day in the United States and in honour of this occasion, BET Networks announced, the airing of a news special, titled, STIGMA: THE SILENT KILLER.
Designed to examine the role stigma plays in the spread of HIV/AIDS among Blacks in the US and Caribbean, this special airs on Thursday, February 7 at 8:00pm ET/PT.
Part of a longstanding "BET Rap-It-Up" campaign - the Emmy Award winning public education partnership with the Kaiser Family Foundation - the news special examines not only the negative impact of stigma on prevention efforts, but also explores the challenges facing Blacks living with HIV.
The roles played by: religious leaders, the media and entertainment industries, in encouraging stigma and discrimination are highlighted as are real explorations on personal relationships among families affected by HIV/AIDS.
The show will feature up close and personal interviews with political and religious figures, public health experts, entertainers and people affected by HIV/AIDS, including Dr. Kevin Fenton, Director of the National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD and TB prevention; Phil Wilson, Founder and Executive Director of the Black AIDS Institute; and Ainsley Reid, CEO and Co-Founder of the Jamaican Network of People Living With HIV/AIDS.
For up-to-the-minute information, footage and photos about the special, please visit our press only website http://www.bet.com/pr .