The FAITH Coalition will host Emmy award winner, author and HIV/AIDS advocate Marvelyn Brown for “Lift Every Voice: on Faith, Hope and Facing HIV/AIDS” Saturday, June 6 at 4 p.m. at the Beck Cultural Exchange Center, 1927 Dandridge Ave.
“Marvelyn’s story is quite moving. She manages to stay upbeat and positive even with her HIV infection,” said Rev. John A. Butler, chair of the FAITH Coalition. “As a young, beautiful Tennessee native, Marvelyn can help reduce the stigma of HIV. She inspires others to get tested and seek treatment.”
The event is free and open to the public. Set Apart Praise Ministry from the Lomax Temple AME Zion Church will also perform. After the program, Samaritan Ministry and the Knox County Health Department will provide free HIV testing, conducted by swabbing the mouth. Brown will sign copies of her book “The Naked Truth: Young, Beautiful and (HIV) Positive.” Refreshments will be served.
According to the Tennessee Department of Health, more than 800 Tennesseans became infected with HIV in 2013. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates more than one million Americans are living with HIV and that 1 in 7 do not know they are infected. The CDC recommends everyone between the ages of 13 and 64 get tested at least once in their lifetime. John Anthony butlerJudy I’ve copied below suggested changes for the Prayer Vigil and the . The week will begin with an Interfaith Prayer Vigil hosted by Clinton Chapel AME Zion Church, 546 College St. in Knoxville on Sunday March 2, at 4:00 pm. Several Faith Leaders, from Protestants,
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This event is presented by the FAITH Coalition. Other sponsors include the Knox County Health Department Teen Health Empowerment Program, Beck Cultural Exchange Center, Tennessee Department of Health, Knoxville District AME Zion Church, Austin High School Class of 1964, Central Baptist Church of Bearden, East Tennessee AIDS Fund, Samaritan Ministry, Smoky Mountain Hospice, Tennessee Valley Unitarian Universalist Church, HOPE Center, Walgreens and KAPPI.
