On a spirited Thursday evening, actor and community activist Blair Underwood and Eric Holder, the first African American U.S. Attorney General were among the honorees at the 10th Annual Thurgood Marshall College Fund Foundation’s Leadership Awards reception. The recipients of the distinguished award were selected for their outstanding work in higher education and public service.
Underwood also opened an HIV/AIDS clinic in Washington, D.C., earlier that day. Following the award ceremony ro caught up with Underwood to get his reaction.
“My involvement with HIV and AIDS started about 20 years ago with work I was doing in South Africa. I co-founded an organization with eight other artist and entertainers. The name of the organization is Artist for a New South Africa. You cannot do this kind of work overseas and close your eyes to what is happening in your on back yard. HIV and AIDS is not just a gay disease it is killing our community. It is the No. 1 killer of black women in our country. The opening of this clinic is just the tip of the iceberg. Out of all the cities in the country, Washington, D.C., has the highest recorded cases of HIV and AIDS in the USA. There is no excuse for that,” said Underwood.
Underwood is currently working with ex-NBA hall of famer Magic Johnson and other HIV/AIDS organizations to not only increase awareness, but to eradicate the disease completely. –al weems
