By Shavon Arline, Director of the NAACP’s Health Programs

This Sunday, February 7 marks the tenth annual observance of National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day. Established in 1999 by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in collaboration with five national organizations serving the African American community, NBHAAD provides community organizations, local governments, faith organizations, and individuals with an opportunity to raise awareness and take action about on the disproportionate impact of HIV/AIDS on African Americans.

African Americans have been disproportionately affected by HIV/AIDS since the epidemic’s beginning, and that disparity has deepened over time. African Americans account for:

• more new HIV infections,
• more AIDS cases,
• more people estimated to be living with HIV disease, and
• more HIV-related deaths

…..than any other racial/ethnic group in the U.S. (more…)

By Benjamin Todd Jealous, President and CEO of the NAACP

Yesterday Benjamin Todd Jealous sat down with the Washington Post’s Jonathan Capehart to share his reaction to the President’s Obama’s first State of the Union address.

By Shavon Arline, NAACP Health Care Programs Director

January has been a rough month for those of us who care about meaningful health care reform. Some cynics and beltway insiders have said that we have missed our window of opportunity; that Congress will now shift its focus on to other priorities. But this sort of attitude is not only wrong-headed, it is downright undemocratic. The pundits and beltway analysts don’t decide what is on the agenda-we the people decide!!!

The NAACP will continue to push ahead for comprehensive health care for all Americans, even as these nay-sayers work to prevent it from happening this year. But we cannot do it alone. Congress needs to hear from you.

This week we need all NAACP members and supporters to make their voices heard. We have set up a toll free number for you to directly call your Member of Congress. Here’s what you can do:

Call 1-866-783-2462 and ask to be connected to your Member of Congress.

Tell your Member of Congress to finish the job this year. We expect a health care reform bill that mirrors the language passed by the House of Representatives, a bill that provides for:

1. Quality, affordable health care, in reach of low- and middle-income families;
2. Accountability for insurance companies, with strong regulations and consumer protections; and
3. The competition provided by a public option.

When you’re done, let us know how your conversation went. We have set up an online feedback form just for this purpose.

Health care reform is not only possible this year, it is crucial. Unless we pass a strong health care reform bill, the color of your skin, your ethnic background, and where you live will continue to influence your access to health care, as well as the quality and cost of your care. These are facts that cannot be simply “tabled” for political expediency.

For more information about Health Care reform and communities of color, please visit the NAACP’s 880 Campaign website.

By Yasmin Salina Rana of the NAACP Alabama Youth and College Division

The 3rd Annual BET Honors was held this year at the Warner Theatre in Washington, D.C. The 2010 honorees included Whitney Houston, Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs, Queen Latifah, Dr. Ruth Simmons, and Dr. Keith Black.

Typically, red carpet interviews consist of “Who are you wearing tonight?,” or, “Who are you looking to see perform?” I decided to take a different angle. I wanted to know how entertainers really feel about things that go on in their own community and their responsibility as a role model to the youth.

With a one on one interview with recording artist Trey Songz, he expressed the importance of being a role model. “Any life that you can change or anybody you can lead in a better direction that they are in is amazing. ”

The very lovable, bubbly, Grammy Award winner India Arie talked about how it’s always been important to her that she help others when they are in need. “One of the most spiritually, profound things that any one can do is share of themselves. When someone is need that is your opportunity. I have learned how good it makes you feel.

It was a huge honor to interview so many individuals that have a strong impact on the youth and get their stand points on leadership in their communities. I feel that it is important to get to know entertainers that influence my generation on a more personable level and to expose it.

Watch the clip to see exclusive footage and interviews from the event. The BET Honors will premier February 1, 2010.

By NAACP National Field Director Stefanie Brown

Like so many around the world, the NAACP grieves for the lives lost in the earthquake in Haiti. Historically the NAACP has had a special relationship with the people of Haiti.

We understand that a tragedy of this magnitude demands a substantial response. The NAACP has established a Haiti relief fund to aid relief work on the ground, and we have challenged our staff, leadership and local units to raise 100,000 dollars this week. This video explains how NAACP supporters can join our effort.

By Kirk Clay, NAACP Director of Civic Engagement

This spring, the NAACP will launch Yes We Count, a campaign to make sure that every American participates in the U.S. Census. Every 10 years, the U.S. government conducts a survey of the population by sending a short questionnaire by mail to every household in the country. While low-income families and communities of color stand the most to benefit from the Census count, they are often less likely to participate.

Participation is crucial, particularly for vulnerable communities. Every person counted-or not counted-in a community impacts ten years of federal funds, political representation, public infrastructure and private investment. Here is what is at stake: (more…)

By Hilary O. Shelton, NAACP Senior Vice President for Advocacy

Senator Harry Reid has come under criticism this week for his reported remarks about President Obama’s skin tone and vernacular. NAACP Senior Vice President for Advocacy Hilary Shelton appeared on Fox News Monday morning to explain how Reid’s comments, while awkward, are not inherently offensive. As Shelton explained, the NAACP evaluates members of Congress according to their track record on Civil Rights issues:

“Harry Reid is someone who has always scored an “A” on the NAACP’s legislative report card. We are more concerned with his record than his rhetoric.”

The NAACP report card is scheduled to come out later this month.

Watch the video:

By Rev. David Emmanuel Goatley, Ph.D., Chairman of the NAACP International Affairs Committee

At the NAACP, our work in the global arena sometimes elicits the following kind of question. “With all the ills in the United States, why should we be involved in the problems in those countries?” There are at least three principle reasons you should engage globally.

First, if you intend to be relevant, you have to be global. We are interconnected in economics, politics, entertainment, and the like. Every time you purchase something, you are participating in the global economy. You have a vested interest in what is happening in the world for your personal well-being.

Second, if you don’t make the world a better place “over there,” you will soon suffer the consequences “right here.” The ease of global communication and transportation makes the creep of problems around the world inevitable. Remember the Asian Flu and HIV?

Third, making this world a better place for all is the work of mature and responsible people. We are interdependent and interconnected. How can you know that a child is starving or a woman is raped or a family’s home is burned and not be moved add your voice to the call for peace and justice?

Sudan is a country where unimaginable human atrocities are continuing. Despite modest steps of progress, there are still gross displays of inhumane treatment of individuals, families, and communities. The NAACP is joining the Save Darfur Coalition to call for people who believe in peace, justice, and security to join in a global day of action on Sudan on January 9, 2010. (more…)