Divas, MPH Presents 2nd Annual Saving Our Sisters from HIV/AIDS Health Summit March 12, 2011

Feb. 21, 2011 - PRLog -- (Washington, DC) – Washington, DC, our nation’s capital, also carries the burden of being labeled America's AIDS capital, with an HIV infection rate of at least three percent—the highest in the United States. Divas, MPH, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, will hold its 2nd Annual Saving Our Sisters from HIV/AIDS Health Summit from 9 am to 5 pm on Saturday, March 12, 2011 in Funger Hall at George Washington University -- 2201 G St. NW, Washington, DC 20052. This innovative, interactive, and FREE event targeted at young women ages 13-29 is designed to combat the growing rate of HIV/AIDS in the metropolitan area. The 2nd Annual Saving Our Sisters (S.O.S) from HIV/AIDS Health Summit will include a full day of workshops hosted by community stakeholders, performances, and the “Dating in a World with HIV” town hall meeting which will stream live from 3:15 to 4:15 pm, moderated by Justine Love, Community Director of CBS Radio of Washington. The town hall meeting will be broadcasted live on www.SOSHealthSummit.com. The Mistress of Ceremonies for the event is Radio/TV Personality Jeannie “Kitty of the City” Jones of WKYS 93.9 FM and Fox 5 Morning News.

“Too often, people think that HIV cannot affect them, however the increasing rate of cases among black women proves us wrong. Divas, MPH is determined to dispel the myths about the virus and offer an interactive program to which young women and men can relate,” said Divas, MPH Co-Founder Maaden Eshete. “Last year, we touched over 100 young women and girls, but attendees felt the program should be longer and that men should be included in the conversation. So we expanded the program and added a session targeted toward young men from 1-5 p.m.”

The 2nd Annual S.O.S Health Summit will begin at 9 a.m. with registration and continental breakfast followed by several age-appropriate workshops for girls ages 13-17, women ages 18-29, and targeted sessions for young men, beginning at 1 p.m. The event will include educational sessions about contraceptive negotiation skills, assertive communication skills for girls, a healthy relationships workshop for young women, and separate HIV/AIDS 101 training for both young men and women. The closing town hall meeting will allow attendees as well as an online audience to interact with prominent healthcare advocates, community leaders, and men and women living with HIV. Divas, MPH will also introduce the Sisterhood Circles, lead by trained peer leaders, to engage young women year round and continue the dialogue around prevention long after the conclusion of the event.

Partners include Community Education Group, Metro Teen AIDS, Jeannie Jones Mentoring Program, and Heart and Soul Magazine. Special thanks to sponsors and supporters The BOSS Network, Black Public Health Student Network of George Washington University, Coldstone Creamery of Largo, Asyan Entertainment, Wike World Entertainment, Starbuck’s, Luxe Innovations, Costco Woodmore, and Shamar Lea-the "Sexologist".  Contact Think Brown INK for sponsor and vendor opportunities.

About Divas, MPH
Divas, MPH is a 501(c)(3)  non profit organization committed to educating, empowering, and mobilizing women to create healthier communities. The vision of the Divas is to empower women to take an active interest in achieving and maintaining total health and wellness—mind, body, and soul—for themselves, their families, and their communities. Current work is based in the Washington, DC metropolitan area as well as Atlanta, Georgia, but the organization is always looking for opportunities to expand its outreach. Follow the Divas on Twitter at www.twitter.com/DivasMPH or on Facebook. Follow the S.O.S movement on Twitter by searching #SOSSundays or #SOS.

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