The Elton John AIDS Foundation (EJAF) has announced over $3.2 million in new grants that will further its mission to assist the most marginalized populations vulnerable to HIV infection. These new awards brought EJAF’s final total grant-making commitments for calendar 2011 to a record $8,316,871, with disbursements totaling $7,006,871 last year.

These grants represent EJAF’s continuing commitment to fund demographics and geographic regions that are seriously impacted by HIV/AIDS and under-served by traditional funders. Grant expenditures totaling $3,221,622 were awarded for 19 new and 29 renewal grants, including:

• health services for Black women, one of the highest HIV-impacted populations in this country;
• innovative programs focused on the health and rights of gay and bisexual men throughout the U.S.;
• programs designed to help people with HIV who are leaving prison to access and stay on treatment and maintain their health as they reintegrate into society;
• small community grants supporting services for gay men throughout Latin America;
• clinical and mental health services for vulnerable populations in the Caribbean; and
• additional funding totaling $1.6 million over two years to support over 50 community organizations providing needle exchange and harm reduction services for injection drug users.

“Through the efforts of hundreds of privately-funded syringe access programs, HIV incidence due to injection drug use in the U.S. has declined from 25% of all infections in 2000 to 9%,” said Executive Director Scott Campbell. “Scaled-up syringe access programming could bring injection-related HIV infections down to zero. Given Congress’ unfortunate reinstatement of the ban on the use of federal funding for syringe exchange programs, EJAF’s increased investments as one of the top three funders in this field are particularly crucial.”

“For twenty years, EJAF has remained consistent in our mission, even as we’ve increased the scope and reach of our grant-making,” added Chairman David Furnish. “Our most recent grants continue this historic focus, dedicating critical funding to the most urgent and under-resourced aspects of the HIV/AIDS epidemic.”

Image Courtesy of   http://www.flickr.com/photos/evarinaldiphotography/

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More than 60 Black celebrities have united with Greater Than AIDS to bring attention to the severe and disproportionate epidemic facing Black Americans and reduce the stigma surrounding the disease. Black Americans account for half of the approximately 1.1 million people living with HIV/AIDS in this country today — and 44 percent of new infections — while representing just 12 percent of the population.

Blacks are also more likely to die of AIDS as compared to other racial and ethnic groups. Coinciding with National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day (Feb. 7), Greater Than AIDS is debuting new public service ads (PSAs), coordinated social media posts and other messages from popular Black television and film actors, directors, producers, and others in Hollywood about the devastating effect of HIV/AIDS in the Black community.

Many of the participating talent spoke about people they knew who are living with or have died from the disease. Participating talent will be supporting the campaign’s themes of unity, hope and empowerment through their own Facebook, Twitter and other social media platforms and through personal appearances.

“This is an unprecedented response from the Black Hollywood community to an issue that has touched so many of our lives,” said Phill Wilson, President and CEO, Black AIDS Institute. The Black AIDS Institute is a co-founding partner with the Kaiser Family Foundation of Greater Than AIDS.

“Our voice is one of the most powerful tools we have in combating the ignorance and stigma that still surrounds this disease.” The celebrities featured in this campaign are all members of the Black AIDS Institute’s Black Hollywood Task Force on AIDS, which works to engage the Hollywood community in an effort to fight HIV/AIDS.

“The artists and executives who have joined us in this campaign realize that no matter the celebrity, they are also members of the Black community, and they are trying to do their part.”

“HIV/AIDS is a deeply personal issue for many Black Americans, yet the issue is too often silent in many communities,” said Tina Hoff, Senior Vice President and Director, Health Communication and Media Partnerships, Kaiser Family Foundation.

According to a national survey by the Kaiser Family Foundation, more than 60 percent — three in five — Black Americans know someone living with HIV/AIDS or who has died from the disease; for most, a family member or close friend.

The Kaiser Family Foundation and the Black AIDS Institute are executive producers.  Linda Jones of The Mass Appeal produced, and Vanessa Williams (SOUL FOOD) with Quincy LeNear and Deondray Gossett (THE DL CHRONICLES, THE VOICE) directed.

Black Hollywood Task Force GREATER THAN AIDS PARTICIPATING TALENT:

• Laila Ali, professional athlete/actress/spokesperson
• Tatyana Ali, actress (THE FRESH PRINCE OF BEL-AIR/NBC, LOVE THAT GIRL!/TV ONE)
• Anthony Anderson, actor (LAW & ORDER/NBC, THE BERNIE MAC SHOW/FOX, K-VILLE/FOX, THE SHIELD/FX NETWORK, THE DEPARTED, TRANSFORMERS)
• Robb Armstrong, nationally syndicated cartoonist  (JUMPSTART)
• Essence Atkins, actress (ARE WE THERE YET/TBS, HALF AND HALF/UPN, SMART GUY/THE WB)
• Rochelle Aytes, actress (THE FORGOTTEN/ABC)
• Obba Babatunde, actor (PRIVATE PRACTICE/ABC,  HALF & HALF/UPN)
• Alimi Ballard, actor (NCIS/CBS, NUMB3RS/CBS)
• Denise Boutte, actress (MEET THE BROWNS/TBS, WHY DID I GET MARRIED)
• RaVaughn Brown, singer/actress (COLUMBIA RECORDS)
• Rhyon Brown, actress (LINCOLN HEIGHTS/ABC FAMILY)
• Yvette Nicole Brown, actress, (COMMUNITY/NBC)
• Anthony Burrell, actor (THE SKINNY)
• Tracy “Twinkie” Byrd, casting director (SPARKLE, JUMPING THE BROOM, NOTORIOUS, STOMP THE YARD 1 & 2)
• Affion Crockett, actor/comedian (IN THE FLOW WITH AFFION CROCKETT/FOX)
• Leah Daniels, casting director (PRECIOUS, LOVE THAT GIRL!, ATL, THE WAYANS BROS, THE PAPERBOY)
• Gary Dourdan, actor (CSI/CBS, JUMPING THE BROOM)
• Bill Duke, filmmaker/director/actor
• Nadine Ellis, actress (LET’S STAY TOGETHER/BET)
• Jennia Fredrique, actress (THE SKINNY)
• Jennifer Freeman, actress (MY WIFE AND KIDS/ABC)
• Jason George, actor (GREY’S ANATOMY/ABC, OFF THE MAP/ABC)
• Lance Gross, actor (TYLER PERRY’S HOUSE OF PAYNE/TBS)
• Dennis Haysbert, actor (24/FOX, THE UNIT/CBS)
• Samuel L. Jackson, actor/producer (JUNGLE FEVER, PULP FICTION, CAPTAIN AMERICA, STAR WARS III, IRON MAN 2, KILL BILL 2, CHANGING LANES, SHAFT, A TIME TO KILL)
• Carlon Jeffery, actor (ANT FARM/DISNEY)
• Jill Marie Jones, actress (GIRLFRIENDS/UPN & THE CW)
• Orlando Jones, actor/comedian (MAD TV/FOX, THE EVIDENCE/ABC)
• Tamala Jones, actress (CASTLE/ABC)
• Kenny Lattimore, award winning musical artist
• Robinne Lee, actress (HOUSE OF PAYNE/TBS, SEVEN POUNDS)
• Nia Long, actress (THIRD WATCH/NBC, THE FRESH PRINCE OF BEL-AIR/NBC)
• MC Lyte, musical artist (President of the L.A. Chapter of the Grammys Recording Academy)
• Eva Marcille, model/actress (AMERICA’S NEXT TOP MODEL/THE CW, THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS/CBS)
• Christopher Massey, actor (ZOEY 101/NICKELODEON)
• Kyle Massey, actor (THAT’S SO RAVEN/DISNEY, CORY IN THE HOUSE/DISNEY, DANCING WITH THE STARS/ABC)
• Dr. Lisa Masterson, M.D., host (THE DOCTORS/CBS)
• Elizabeth Mathis, actress (TRON: LEGACY)
• Rashad McCants, NBA player
• Nicki Micheaux, actress (LINCOLN HEIGHTS/ABC FAMILY)
• Tia Mowry, actress (THE GAME/BET)
• Naturi Naughton, actress/musical artist (NOTORIOUS, FAME, 3LW, PLAYBOY CLUB/NBC)
• Michaela Pererira, anchor (KTLA NEWS)
• James Pickens, Jr., actor (GREY’S ANATOMY/ABC)
• Isa Rahman, actor/model
• Gina Ravera, actress (THE CLOSER/TNT)
• REBORN, gospel hip hop artist
• Robi Reed, Vice President of Talent and Casting (BET)
• Dominique Reighard, model (AMERICA’S NEXT TOP MODEL/THE CW)
• Shaun Robinson, ACCESS HOLLYWOOD
• J Rome, musical artist (COLUMBIA RECORDS)
• B. SCOTT, celebrity online blogger
• Tasha Smith, actress (TYLER PERRY’S FOR BETTER OR WORSE/TBS)
• Jurnee Smollett, actress (FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS/NBC, THE DEFENDERS/CBS, THE GREAT DEBATERS,  GRIDIRON GANG)
• Jussie Smollett, Actor (THE SKINNY)
• Chelsea Tavares, actress (UNFABULOUS/NICKELODEON, JUST JORDAN/NICKELODEON)
• Tamara Taylor, actress (BONES/FOX)
• Bobb’e J. Thompson, actor (30 ROCK/NBC , TYLER PERRY’S FOR BETTER OR WORSE/TBS, BOBB’E SAYS/CARTOON NETWORK, THAT’S SO RAVEN/DISNEY ROLE MODELS)
• Tammy Townsend, actress (LINCOLN HEIGHTS/ABC FAMILY, SHERRI/LIFETIME TV, ROCK ME, BABY/UPN, FAMILY MATTERS)
• Brian White, actor (MEN OF A CERTAIN AGE/TNT, GOOD DEEDS)
• Michael Jai White, actor (TYLER PERRY’S FOR BETTER OR WORSE/TBS)
• Jesse Williams, actor (GREY’S ANATOMY/ABC)
• Oren Williams, actor (REBOUND, COLD CASE/CBS)
• Tyler James Williams, actor (EVERYBODY HATES CHRIS/THE CW)
• Vanessa Williams, director/actress (MELROSE PLACE/FOX, SOUL FOOD/SHOWTIME)
• Zachary Williams, actor (ROMEO!/NICKELODEON , LINCOLN HEIGHTS/ABC FAMILY)
• Zo Williams, radio personality (HOST OF THE VOICE OF REASON/FOXX HOLE SATELLITE RADIO)
• Camille Winbush, actress (SECRET LIFE OF THE AMERICAN TEENAGER/ABC FAMILY, THE BERNIE MAC SHOW/FOX)
• Blake Young-Fountain, actor (THE SKINNY, TWO BROKE GIRLS/CBS)

Greater Than AIDS is an unprecedented collaboration among a broad coalition of public and private sector partners united in response to the HIV/AIDS crisis in the United States, in particular among Black Americans and other disproportionately affected groups.  Through a national media campaign and targeted community outreach, Greater Than AIDS aims to increase knowledge and understanding about HIV/AIDS and confront the stigma surrounding the disease.

Image Courtesy of   https://www.facebook.com/greaterthanaids

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Some people have all the luck. At an early age, Milla Jovovich was acting, modelling, and writing and performing music. In each case, she received strong reviews. At any moment, she might be featured in film, fashion magazines and events, on the soundtrack to another film, and promoting a charitable cause.

Ms. Jovovich appeared as Milady de Winter in the adaptation of ‘The Three Musketeers,’ directed by her husband, Paul W.S. Anderson, as well as in four other films this year, and will return in at least two films scheduled for next year.

Ms. Jovovich rules the fashion world: she co-founded a fashion line, Jovovich-Hawk; she has appeared in hundreds of magazines, TV-commercials and other fashion and cosmetics promotions; she is a spokesmodel for L’Oréal, one of the highest profiles for models. She also sponsors a number of charities, such as cancer research, AIDS research, wildlife societies, UNICEF and UNESCO.

Her only music album, ‘The Divine Comedy,’ was released in 1994, when she was 16; she had written it the year before. She had a band for a short time, called Plastic Has Memory, which never made an album but made music and has a song on the benefit CD, ‘Hollywood Goes Wild.’ Ms. Jovovich continues to produce music for screen and for anyone via her web-site, www.millaj.com.

While the music was well received, it is not as widely known as her work in the fashion and film industries. Ms. Jovovich has a rare versatility in her styles: she can dramatically change her look and still keep a distinctive presence. This has served her well around the world. Her film work has extended around the globe as well, with this year’s ‘Lucky Trouble’ coming from Russia. Ms. Jovovich is multi-lingual.

Most of her fans know her from the film franchise, ‘Resident Evil.’ The four films, and a fifth next year, are based on a popular video-game and are directed by Mr. Anderson. He is not the first of her director-husbands: she was also married to Luc Besson, who directed her in her breakthrough, ‘The Fifth Element’ (1997), as the “perfect being,” and ‘The Messenger: The Story of Joan of Arc’ (1999).

She has appeared in the weighty ‘Chaplin’ (1992) and the fashion-comedy ‘Zoolander’ (2001). But it is her action roles that have made the biggest mark. Her Alice in ‘Resident Evil’ (2002) helped garner a following, and four sequels have followed so far. She does many of her own stunts.

Milla Jovovich is beautiful; she can act; she can sing and write songs; she plays the guitar; she speaks several languages; she works for charities. She presents herself well in interviews, and has a fun and accessible demeanour. She is also a mother. She is more the saviour than damsel in distress, though she can exude vulnerability, and always femininity. Her daughter will be another to watch.

cinemafestival / Shutterstock.com

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