[Archived] City of Alexandria Participates in National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day

For Immediate Release: February 6, 2020

The City of Alexandria will host a National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day Symposium on Saturday, February 8, from 8 a.m. to noon, at Roberts Memorial United Methodist Church (606A Washington St.). The event will examine the role the community can play in preventing the spread of HIV/AIDS and reducing its stigma among African Americans. There will be free HIV testing and light breakfast will be provided. The symposium is free and open to the public, but attendees are asked to register online.

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention reports that in 2017, African Americans accounted for 43% of all HIV diagnoses in the United States and six dependent areas, despite making up 13% of the U.S. population.  

February 7 has been designated as National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, an initiative aimed at increasing HIV education, testing, community involvement and treatment across black communities. The observance encourages people to “Get Educated. Get Involved. Get Tested. Get Treated.”

To register for the symposium, learn more about National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day and the Alexandria Health Department’s Rainbow Tuesdays Clinic and HIV Testing Services, visit alexandriava.gov/Health.

For media inquiries, contact Nechelle Terrell, Alexandria Health Department at nechelle.terrell@vdh.virginia.gov or 703.746.4933.

For reasonable disability accommodation, contact nechelle.terrell@vdh.virginia.gov or call 703.749.4933, Virginia Relay 711.