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An Evening Without Politics: A Benefit Reception
September 25, 2009 * 9:00 p.m. - 1:00 a.m.
Grand Hyatt Washington, Washington, D.C.

Washington, DC – Members of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC), in conjunction with the National Minority AIDS Council (NMAC), are sponsoring An Evening Without Politics: A Benefit Reception on September 25th during the CBC Annual Legislative Conference. The event will raise awareness about the disproportionate impact of HIV in African American communities nationwide, and Washington, D.C. in particular, as well as support AIDS education initiatives at Historically Black Colleges and Universities.

Guests include members of the CBC, House Committee chairs, senior executives from corporations, recognized high-ranking policy makers in the global health industry and other senior officials from the Obama Administration. Over 30 members of the Congressional Black Caucus already are participating in the event’s prestigious Congressional Host Committee:

Respected corporate leaders, entertainers, civic and social leaders throughout the country also will be attending An Evening Without Politics: A Benefit Reception as Honorary Co-Chairs:

The evening also will honor those who have played a vital role in promoting and supporting HIV/AIDS awareness in their communities:

Rep. Danny Davis says, "The need for CBC leadership around the AIDS crisis has never been greater. By highlighting the epidemic in Washington, D.C., we hope to raise awareness about the disproportionate impact of HIV among African Americans and garner greater support for increased HIV/AIDS education efforts, particularly at Historically Black Colleges and Universities, which are educating our communities' next generation of leaders and professionals. We save lives by supporting this important new leadership.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced in August 2008 that HIV incidence rates in the U.S. were 40% higher than previously estimated, with over 55,000 new infections occurring from 2003-2006. Nearly half of these new infections occurred in the Black community, and communities of color overall accounted for 70% of the new infections. Research conducted by the Government of the District of Columbia, Department of Health, Division of HIV/AIDS showed that the nation's Capital, which is predominantly African American, has the highest rate of HIV infection in the U.S., with 5% of all residents either living with HIV or AIDS.

"President Obama's leadership around HIV/AIDS is an extension of his overall dedication to health care reform," says Congresswoman Barbara Lee, Chairwoman of the CBC. "Through An Evening Without Politics: A Benefit Reception, we hope to educate the public about how supporting even small steps through health care reform, such as routine HIV testing and increased support for HIV/AIDS programming, can save numerous lives."

Tickets for the event are $250 for general admission and $500 for VIP admission, and may be purchased online at the website for An Evening Without Politics: A Benefit Reception at: http://www.eveningwithoutpolitics.org/. Sponsorship opportunities for corporations and community organizations also are available; please visit the website for details or contact Alphonce Brown at (202) 483-6622 ext. 366.

Proceeds will support NMAC’s capacity building and technical assistance programs for minority community- and faith based organizations in Washington, D.C., and HIV/AIDS education initiatives at Historically Black Colleges and Universities.

About An Evening Without Politics: A Benefit Reception
This event will take place September 25th, from 9:00 p.m.. – 1:00 a.m. at the Grant Hyatt Washington, in Washington, DC. Information about the event, ticket purchases, media registration and sponsorship opportunities are available at http://www.eveningwithoutpolitics.org/; www.twitter.com/09EWP; and http://tinyurl.com/09EWP.

About the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC)

The CBC's members are advocates for the human family nationally and internationally and have played a significant role as local and regional activists as well. They continue to work diligently to be the "Conscience of the Congress," but because all politics are ultimately local, they also provide dedicated and focused service to the citizens and Congressional districts that have elected them. The vision of the founding members of the Congressional Black Caucus - "to promote the public welfare through legislation designed to meet the needs of millions of neglected citizens" - continues to be a beacon and focal point for the legislative work and political activities of the Congressional Black Caucus today. For more information, visit the CBC online at http://www.thecongressionalblackcaucus.com/ and http://cbcfinc.org/cbc.html.

About the National Minority AIDS Council (NMAC)

The National Minority AIDS Council (NMAC) has advanced its mission, "to develop leadership within communities of color to address the challenges of HIV/AIDS" since 1987 through individualized capacity building assistance, technical assistance trainings, public policy education programs; national and regional conferences; treatment and research education programs; online and printed resource materials; and a website: www.nmac.org. The agency also serves as a membership association for its constituents - AIDS service organizations and minority faith- and community-based organizations delivering HIV/AIDS services in communities of color - and advocates on their behalf in Washington, D.C.. NMAC's advocacy efforts are funded through private funders and donors only. For more information, please contact NMAC directly at (202) 483-NMAC (6622) or communications@nmac.org. You may find us online at www.nmac,org, as well as on Facebook.com, Wikipedia.com, Twitter.com, MyPhotoAlbum.com and YouTube.com.