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Event Recap coming

The Red Pump Project — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 21:28:00 +0000

“Rock the Red” was AMAZING!!! Stay tuned for the details of the event…

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Red Pump Makes the News and Making Moves!

The Red Pump Project — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 02:41:00 +0000

Our founders Karyn & Luvvie are making moves, getting featured, and being spotlighted all over the city these days. If you are in Chicago, please pick up today’s Chicago Sun Times Newspaper to catch Red Pump Project’s article. Also, stay tuned for updates on Karyn and Luvvie’s appearance on CBS, WGN, and also NBC News. Team Red Pump loves and adores our founders. We are truly enthused that their efforts, hard work, and dedication are being recognized.

We love you Karyn and Luvvie! Congrats!

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The Power of One…

The Red Pump Project — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 15:59:00 +0000

On September 18, 2009, I sat in my office, and drafted an e-mail to send to all of my colleagues asking for their support in the fight against AIDS/HIV. As you all may or may not know, on October 3, 2009 is the Annual AIDS/HIV walk/run and Red Pump Chicago will be participating. On September 23, 2009 I still had not sent the letter. Reminded of our fast approaching date, thus minimal time to collect donations, I put the finishing touches on my email. However, before I pressed send, I became overwhelmed with a wave of second guessing.

Would they be offended by my email? Perhaps it was too risque. Would people possibly think I was infected? [sarcasm] After all, no one really cares about this disease unless they were personally infected, right? [/sarcasm] Would they simply reduce my interest to my race, since the hysteria around AIDS/HIV has switched from labeling it a gay disease to an African/African American disease? I cautiously removed the alarming stats focusing on the rate of infection for black women and left the more [sarcasm] subtle [/sarcasm] statistics inclusive of all women. Well you get the point. I was chickening out.

That’s when it hit me. I realized that every question and worry that I had just presented to myself was EXACTLY why I became a part of The Red Pump Project. I joined for moments like this. Moments where ignorance, the judgment, and even ridicule because of the fear of the unknown would almost stop me from sending one email. Moments when ignorance allows one person to think “this can’t happen to me.” Moments when judgment stops one person from wearing protection/asking their partner to wear protection. Moments when the fear of the unknown overcomes courage and stops one person from getting tested.

See I was afraid to make one person uncomfortable. Afraid to make one person feel offended. However, the issue of AIDS/HIV is supposed to make people uncomfortable. Additionally while the intent is to not offend, the alarming rates of infection across this country, across this world SHOULD be offensive. What is happening that we as a society are so complacent in marginalizing a disease to a group of people so that we do not have to face the reality that regardless of skin tone or sexual orientation that it is killing people?

So understand, this is why I decided to dedicate my energy to The Red Pump Project. Not to make one person uncomfortable or to offend one person. I joined with the understanding that it only takes one person to reach one person. Something I was reminded of just recently. So if I can reach the one person from thinking “this can’t happen to me,” then that’s what I’ll do. If I can get one person to wear protection or demand that their partner wear protection, that’s what I’ll do. If I can get one person to get tested, then by all means I’ve served my purpose. Each one, reach one, teach one. So thank you Red Pump Project, because that’s what I plan to do.

To donate to The Red Pump Project AIDS Walk Chicago team, go HERE.

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About Brittany

My name is Brittany Antoinette and I am fashionably rocking the red pump for HIV/AIDS awareness in the City of Chicago.

I joined the Red Pump Project because the faces of those most affected, look just like me. I joined because apathy is not a cure for AIDS/HIV. A recent graduate, with a minor in African American Studies and a concentration in Gender Women’s Studies, I have a passion to help women of color in areas of health care and education. The Red Pump Project combines the two. While I fully support the search to find a cure, I firmly believe that awareness has to be at the forefront of people’s minds.

To find me on the internets, you need not search any further than terrific Twitter. My handle is @ObaBreezie.

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My Passion For People, My Love For Red Pump!

The Red Pump Project — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 02:35:00 +0000

The HIV/AIDS epidemic is a health crisis in Black America. African Americans make up 13% of the U.S. population but represent 49% of all AIDS cases. African-American women comprise nearly 70% of women who are newly diagnosed with HIV, and African American men are 44% of new HIV diagnoses. The death rate for AIDS is seven times higher for African American men and 23 times higher among African American women compared to their white counterparts. While it strikes men and women of all ages, it is the No. 1 killer of African-American women.

After discovering such heartbreaking statistics, the only thought that raced through my mind is that “My People Are Dying”. My people are dying over a deadly disease that can be prevented. The rates at which African American men and women are being infected are continuously on the rise. I know that many people are aware of HIV/AIDS, but maybe many people aren’t as knowledgeable about the severity of prevention methods or how the virus can be spread. I refuse to ignore these alarming discoveries and watch people of all cultures die. Until a cure for this horrific disease is created, the best way to save lives is to acknowledge the disease, find ways to educate people of all socio-economical backgrounds, ages, and cultures, empower women, and stress the importance of responsible/safe sexual activity.

When I met Luvvie and Karyn, the two beautiful, intelligent, driven, and talented young ladies that created The Red Pump Project, I immediately became inspired by their efforts and there passion for saving the lives of others. I knew that Red Pump was definitely an Initiative that I wanted to help grow and succeed in its mission to make this world a healthier place by discussing HIV/AIDS related issues, educating individuals across America about HIV/AIDS and most importantly to empower our women to take a stand for their sexual health. After expressing my eagerness to work with Red Pump and offering my assistance, I quickly accepted a position as The Red Pump Blog Manager. As the New blog manager I am committing to providing the most current, accurate, educational, and empowering material possible. I am absolutely overjoyed at being a new member of Team Red Pump and will do my best to represent The Red Pump Project and its mission to the best of my ability. I hope that my genuine passion for people and my love for the Red Pump Project will shine through my work and service. I’m looking forward to every new experience that this journey will bring and interacting with all of you. Thanks So Much For your Time!

Go Team Red Pump!
Jenna Marie Christian
Jenna@Theredpumpproject.com

A Little about Jenna Marie Christian:

Jenna Marie Christian was born and raised on the West side of Chicago. She is the daughter of Blues Singer Little Johnny Christian. Jenna Marie works as a full time Financial Associate, but aspires to motivate others through her writings. At the age of 25 Jenna self published her 1st book “You Broke My Heart, Now Go to Hell” after surviving a difficult break up. She decided to use her personal experiences as a guide for young women to cope, survive, and thrive while dealing with a troubled relationship. Find our more about Jenna Marie Christian by visiting her website http://www.missjennamarie.com/ and checking out her blog http://jeneralexpressions.blogspot.com

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The Chicago Women’s AIDS Project

The Red Pump Project — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 03:21:00 +0000

First of all, I have to extend a HUGE thanks to everyone who’s signed on thus far! As of now, we have 65 bloggers on board to Rock the Red Pump next Tuesday! Your participation is a huge step is spreading awareness to your readers about the effect of HIV/AIDS on women and girls!!! On a local level, Luvvie and I will be dedicating our efforts on The Chicago Women’s AIDS Project.

The Chicago Women’s AIDS Project is the only organization in Chicago solely dedicated to providing gender-specific HIV prevention and care services to women at risk. Currently, they provide a wide range of support services, including professional therapy, peer-led support groups, after-school activities and childcare subsidies, treatment education, financial assistance, leadership and facilitator training as well as preventative interventions in clinics across the city of Chicago.

For those of you in Chicago, Luvvie and I are hosting a happy hour fundraiser on March 10th at Plush Restaurant and Lounge. We’re kicking off the festivities at 6:30p, and we plan on having a great time! So, we definitely want you to come on out if you’re in the area! Also, some of you have discussed hosting local events in your cities, which sounds like a GREAT idea! We’d love to post your event on the blog…Just email the details to redpumpproject@gmail.com!

-kb

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