CONTACT: Jasmyne Cannick Black AIDS Institute 213.249.0739 jasmynecannick@hotmail.com   Thomas Dima 212.459.1605 thomas@cablepositive.org

CABLE POSITIVE AND BLACK AIDS INSTITUTE ANNOUNCE PARTNERSHIP TO FIGHT HIV/AIDS IN THE AFRICAN AMERICAN COMMUNITY

Public Awareness Campaign Launches in February 2005 to Support National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, February 7, and Black History Month

NEW YORK, NY / LOS ANGELES, CA -
February 1, 2005
Cable Positive, the cable and telecommunications industry’s AIDS action organization, and The Black AIDS Institute, the first Black HIV/AIDS policy center dedicated to reducing HIV/AIDS health disparities by mobilizing Black institutions and individuals in efforts to confront the epidemic in their communities, announce their partnership to raise AIDS awareness and promote HIV prevention among the African American community in the United States through a public awareness campaign for cable television.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate 65% of new AIDS cases among teens today are African American teens, while almost two-thirds of all women reported with AIDS nationwide are African American.

The campaign will combat these statistics through comments and advice from prominent African American celebrities such as Hill Harper, Mathew St. Patrick, Alicia Keys and Mya.

“I am honored to begin our awareness and prevention partnership with Black AIDS Institute,” said Steve Villano, Cable Positive President and CEO.  “Cable Positive looks forward to working together to fight HIV and AIDS in the African American community through cable television.”

Cable Positive is working with BET and TV One, cable television’s voices for the African American community to utilize this campaign in support of National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day – February 7 – and throughout the month of February – Black History Month.

Every spot ends with the toll free 800# for Black AIDS Institute, 877.757.AIDS (2437).  This is to ensure that all callers receive connection to counseling, testing and support services that fit their needs in their community.

ABOUT CABLE POSITIVE
Cable Positive is a national non-profit organization that was founded in February 1992 by three concerned cable executives with the mission of organizing cable’s resources in the fight against AIDS. Cable Positive will mobilize the talents, resources, access and influence of the cable and telecommunications industry to raise HIV/AIDS awareness; support HIV/AIDS education, prevention and care; and strive to end stigma by creating a more compassionate climate for people whose lives have been affected by HIV or AIDS. Cable Positive has grown to include supporters from every major cable network, multiple system operator, cable system, hardware manufacturer, trade association, media publication, and affiliated industry vendors and suppliers. Since 1992, Cable Positive has raised more than $10 million in the fight against AIDS. For more information about Cable Positive, call 212-459-1502 or log on to www.cablepositive.org.