Gospel Music Cares about HIV/AIDS

U2’s Bono and a host of famous musicians and actors, along with prominent private foundations headed by Bill and Melinda Gates and former President Bill Clinton, are working passionately to eradicate HIV and AIDS, particularly in Africa. This is a laudable and historic accomplishment, one that deserves our deepest gratitude and selfless support.

At the same time, many African Americans suffer from HIV/AIDS, and in numbers disproportionate to the rest of the country. We also need to care for our brothers and sisters right here in the United States. Especially as anyone that suffers from HIV/AIDS knows it can get worse if left untreated over a length of time.

Gospel Music Cares aims to do just that.

Founded this year by Torrance F. Hill (Todd Hill and Chosen), and Kenneth T. Jones, Gospel Music Cares seeks to garner financial and programmatic support for African Americans infected with and affected by HIV/AIDS. Specifically, the organization will harness the healing and transformative power of gospel music to raise money and awareness to help eradicate the disease, especially among those affiliated with and encouraged by gospel music.

“Having been in the gospel music industry for many years, I have witnessed the challenges of choir members and dear friends who have become infected,” said Hill, who serves as co-chair of the Atlanta-based nonprofit’s board of directors. “I also know the countless stories of those who have been encouraged by gospel music to deal with HIV infection, stigma, and lost. Clearly, the need is now to raise the awareness of HIV/AIDS.”

Gospel Music Cares held its inaugural event on December 1 at Victory Church in Stone Mountain, Georgia. The World AIDS Day Commemorative Concert (Shining Light on those Lost, Infected and Affected) featured the sixty-plus voices of the Commemorative Choir, as well as recording artists and performers such as Alton Parks and Rapture, B. Chase Williams and ShaBach, Edward Walker and Nu Image, and Todd Hill and Choice. Proceeds from this event will support a local organization serving those infected with and affected by HIV/AIDS.

Hill and Jones are now calling upon members of the gospel music industry nationwide to join with them in supporting Gospel Music Cares through concerts and other activities that use their special gifts of music ministry. In turn, Gospel Music Cares will direct financial resources gathered through these efforts to church ministries and other organizations that provide treatment or services for African Americans dealing with HIV/AIDS. The organization also hopes to increase public awareness by disseminating educational materials and encouraging public support for programs that benefit those with HIV/AIDS.

Torrance Hill, Kenneth Jones, and the friends of Gospel Music Cares are, as the song goes, letting their light shine.

For more information, go to www.gospelmusiccares.org.