hip hop 4 hiv

sponsored by the city of dallas, 97.9 the beat and the mlk, jr family clinic, the hip hop 4 hiv event is an initiative 2 raise awareness and educate the community on the viral influence of aids n the black community.

2 lure the youngsters out, called 'testing 4 tickets,' the sponsors r hosting a concert on the steps of dallas city hall with some of the hottest hip hop artists 2 date. david banner, mike jones, bun b, young berg, day 26 and more, including local artists as well. i did see the local rapper coming up King's wrapped chevrolet tahoe. he is a resident of my community ssol (south side on lamar), a great guy and family man. go support king.

i am encouraged 2 c education and awaressness being raised n our community. the parking lot was full even across the street at madison high and the lines were outside the door. channel 11 news was on hand to lend media support as well as 94.5 and 104.5.

from the dallas city hall website, here some startling statistics concerning aids nationally, state-wide and in our city...

HIV/AIDS Statistics

• U.S. – About 1.2 million Americans are living with HIV/AIDS. New technology shows that the incidence of HIV is higher than previously known (with estimates at 56,300, rather than the originalestimate of 40,000, new HIV diagnoses each year). It is estimated that 25% of those infected with HIVdo not know it.

• State of Texas – over 60,000 Texans are living with HIV/AIDS, with about 5,000 new HIV diagnoseseach year

• Dallas County – over 13,000 in Dallas County are living with HIV/AIDS, with over 700 new HIV casesreported last year (2007).

aids is a silent killer n our communtiy whereas most carriers r unaware they have the disease. many pass it on to unsuspecting others thru irresponsible behavior and pure ignorance. unfortunately, more often than not, those who do know their status and are positive, cannot afford the exhorbitant prices of the medical cocktails of pills and treatment available. not must we raise awareness, but we must also lower costs for treatments for the average human being. if it can be affordable in africa, it can be made affordable in these united states.

the person you r grinding on a whim, 'hooking up with' on the sly, doing whenever they come to town, dating, engaged 2 or even married 2 just may b a carrier of the disease. u cannot simply 'look' at someone and judge whether or not they have the disease. it is known 2 even lie dormant n the body on an average of 7 yrs b4 becoming active n the body. professionals recommend being tested every 6 months.i encourage u 2 respect urself and get tested. if not then 4 urself, 4 whomever else enters ur life and their loved ones. think beyond urself. ur status affects more than just u. life is more than just u!

however, this 'pre' awareness is great n that it gives one the opportunity 2 engage n preventive action. self awareness, responsible action and disease education r great deterrents 2 contracting the disease. my prayer is that this is more than a concert 4 the throngs of youth i saw who were standing n the heat 2 get tested 2 get a ticket. my hope is that this ticket is entree n2 a proactive lifestyle of positive and informed choices and responsible behavior.

many kudos and 'big ups' 2 mayor tom leppert, mayor pro tem dwaine caraway and his 'teen summit' initiative 4 taking a stance and showing concern 4 our community. mr caraway is a non-stop community changing machine and a political dynamo. also 2 rickey smiley who is always on the grind n the community, concerned about the people and making a tangible difference n the lives of many. the lives that will b saved as a result of this effort cannot b counted nor can a price tag affixed 2 them. there is a 'fresh wind' blowing thru dallas city hall and it is cool and refreshing. soon the deserts of many forgotten or simply neglected communities will become oasises of pride and progression because of the work of few who still believe n a better future 4 all dallasites.

ps. u guys know i love pictures but my digital cameras battery was depleted. i took a picture with my sidekick phone but cant download it 2 my computure! ... ill keep trying! :-)

live, laugh and love 4 life is not promised!

agape,

pastor p

Night 'N Day... A worldwind experience in 24 hrs

Wow! What a difference a day makes... We have all heard the phrase, but have you 'lived' it?

The last 24 hrs has been a worldwind sort of existence, and I love it! Having a zeal for real life is about varied experiences and getting the most out of each that you can. Well, the pendulum has swung from far left to far right within 24 hours. Sometimes, all I can do is hold on for the ride and experience the rush! Gotta love life!

Night before last I had a 'lil fun (I did get to get my groove on afterall!), and all for a good cause! In celebration of her latest CD release, New Amerykah, Erykah Badu held a CD signing session at Bill's Records & Tapes on Lamar on Tuesday, a CD listening party and jam session at The House of Blues on Wednesday and a charity fundraiser party at The W Hotels, Ghostbar, for her non-profit B.L.I.N.D. on Thursday. B.L.I.N.D. stands for Beautiful Love Incorporated Non-Profit Development that 'is making positive social change through economic, artistic and cultural development in South Dallas.'

The party was off the chain! It was a straight old school jam! In the house and on the mike was Erykah Badu and Talib Kweli. It was mad funkyness on the mike! Freestylin' and freeflowin'. In the DJ booth and on the mike, was none other than the party starter and house rocker himself, Biz Markie! (...Oh baby, you, you got what I need, but you say he's just a friend, you say he's just a friend!) The place was jumpin' with 'ol school track after 'ol school track! Everytime he mixed in a new song, the place went wild! I thought the floor was going to cave in! Then there was a surprise appearance from who else, but Dave Chappelle! It was a total riot and a complete jam!

Now, once again, how I got these coveted tickets is another story. And how we ended up in VIP is another story! Suffice it to say, this always happens to me. Somehow, someway, without asking, I end up in the best of places, meeting the most interesting of people. We actually ended up, in a packed Ghostbar, behind the ropes in VIP, on the right hand side of the stage. So close, we couldn't get any closer. Our hands were on the stage! I am high-fiving Dave Chappelle as he tells jokes and goes off on people in the dance contest and in the crowd! It was side-splitting hilarious! As you saw in my previous post, I had met Badu again, two days earlier, but tonight she celebrated her birthday complete with cake with a single sparkler on it. Now I have met, Biz Markie (it's nostalgic for me because we used to do the Biz Markie parties in college at Morehouse all the time...Biz over Kid Capri anyday!) and Dave Chappelle, who actually shook my hand and held a conversation, albeit short, but he was mad cool! Chappelle was your everyday, average kind of guy whom you would overlook if you didn't know who he was, and many did as he strolled through the room. But just looking at Chappelle is funny unto itself! Hilarious!

Fast forward to last night, or yesterday evening and it is a totally different scene, but no less exciting! Now I am in the Dallas Public Libray's Auditorium, with distinguished elite in the city of Dallas attending the Dallas Public Library and World Affairs Council's author lecture series, "AuthorSpeak." From the City Manager of Dallas to other city coucil members, former candidates for mayor, radio personalities and business men and women from all arenas of life. I might have been the youngest person in the room amid all the self-styled sophistication, to hear Former San Francisco Mayor and Speaker of the California State Assembly Willie Brown, Jr., speak on his new biography, Basic Brown: My Life And Our Times.

Mayor Brown, as he is affectionately known, is one of the most engaging personalities you will ever meet. He is a consumate storyteller and shameless self-promoter, who has an obvious zest for life and is completely in love with himself! Yet, his narcissim is palatable and even enjoyable because of his intellectual prowess and humorous wit. Both black and white, all older, where laughing out loud at his recantations of foible political events in his life. It was completely magnetic. Here again, as I spoke of Barack Obama, charisma is not something you can learn, it is inate and Willie Brown has it.

Once again, I had the privilege of meeting him afterwards, shaking his hand and holding an albeit brief conversation while he signed my copy of his book. All this while he was checking out my haberdashery (that's clothing for those of you who don't know) because he is a self-proclaimed unapologetic fashion fanatic! I must humbly submit your boy had Mayor Brown beat hands-down today! Check the picture for yourself! Ha!

Nevertheless, it was quite an experience and I cannot wait to begin reading the book. Very few things are as fulfilling to me as a good book. I am excited by the law and politics and the lives of those who have shaped our country in some form or another through these means. It promises to be an interesting read.

The night was capped off with dinner at the ultra-hip steakhouse NINE in Victory Plaza across from American Airlines Center. This is not your father's steakhouse. No wood panelling. No pictures of ducks on the wall. No oversized and overstuffed highback, button-punched leather booths. This is an open kitchened, marbled walls and floors, shimmering colums, color changing neon-mood lighted, suede boothed tricked out steakhouse. It is hip to the 'NINES", get it?! The filet mignon with bernaise sauce was tasty and tender, the lobster bisque was slammin' and the Tres' Leches cake topped it off for desert and I didn't have to pay! It was a good day!

I simply want to thank God for the few real friends in my life. People who really don't want anythig from me, but just like to be around and give to me. Thank you. Thank you for being consistant. Thank you for being positive. Thank you for being sacrificial and doing even when you don't feel like it! Thank you for bringing a slice of joy and peace to my life.

(btw...this day (the last 24 hrs) reminds me of the kind of woman I desire in my life, by my side. A woman who can groove to Badu and get hyped with The Biz and yet enjoy intellectual stimulation and show class and style while listening to Mayor Brown. Fun and sophistication all wrapped up in a beautiful package that undoubtedly loves the Lord!)

One mo' thing! Today is the last day for early voting in the Texas primaries! Participate in the process! GO VOTE!

Life is good!

AGAPE,
Pastor P
Making It Great In '08!
Loving Life And Living To Love