On Wednesday, February 6, 2008, S.T.A.R. Foundation, actress Malinda Williams, actress Nia Long, and Dr. Chrystal Evans-Bowman will host an all-girls assembly at Westchester High School in Los Angeles, California in an effort to raise awareness to the increasing number of minority females whom are contracting HIV.

The assembly entitled “I Am My Own Prevention” will focus on key topics such as self-respect, prevention, statistics on HIV/AIDS and STDs, and the effect that the media and “Hollywood” has on the misguided judgment of female youth.

A fact sheet provided by the Kaiser Family Foundation dated July 2007 states: Black women account for the far majority of new AIDS cases among women (66% in 2005); white and Latina women each account for 16% of new AIDS cases. Black women represented more than a third (35%) of AIDS cases diagnosed among Blacks (Black men and women combined) in 2005; by comparison, white women represented 15% of AIDS cases diagnosed among whites. Although Black teens (aged 13 - 19) represent only 16% of U.S. teenagers, they accounted for 69% of new AIDS cases reported among teens in 2005.

“Don’t believe the hype,” is the message that Malinda Williams, Nia Long, and Dr. Chrystal Evans-Bowman will deliver to the female students of Westchester High School. “What you see on TV is pure entertainment. Don’t glorify and emulate the television shows and the videos; be your own person, because at the end of the day, you are your own and only prevention!”

Jennifer L. Payne, Founder
S.T.A.R. Foundation
(818) 235-8270
www.foundationofstars.org

The S.T.A.R. Foundation stands for Success Thrives Around Respect. Their mission is to provide a foundation of respect within teenagers through mentoring, educating, and promoting the importance of living a healthy lifestyle which incorporates HIV/AIDS and STD prevention.

This release was published on openPR.