Status Is Everything will represent Newark at the XVIII Annual International AIDS Conference in Vienna

NEWARK, N.J., July 6, 2010 – The African American Office of Gay Concerns (AAOGC) is proud to announce that the XVIII International AIDS Conference taking place in Vienna, Austria July 18-23, 2010, has selected the Status Is Everything HIV testing social marketing campaign to take part in the conference poster exhibition on July 19, 2010. The AAOGC poster is titled, “Creating a social marketing campaign targeting African American men who have sex with men (MSM) in Newark, New Jersey, in an effort to increase HIV rapid testing within a high risk population.” AAOGC is the only agency funded by the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services, selected to take part in the six-day conference.

“Our campaign is making a difference in Newark, which is the nationally and internationally recognized epicenter of HIV infections in New Jersey. This is a tremendous opportunity for the AAOGC to be among international leaders in HIV research and prevention and it’s an international kudos to our agency for advancing HIV prevention strategies in Newark, NJ among high risk populations,” states Gary Paul Wright, Executive Director of the African American Office of Gay Concerns. Gary Paul Wright will be present and available to answer questions about the poster at the conference on July 19, 2010 between 12:30 pm – 2:30pm. For those who can not attend the conference, the poster will be published at a later date electronically on the conference website and as a CD-ROM.

Status Is Everything is a pioneering HIV testing campaign targeting African American men between the ages of 18-24 who have sex with men in the Greater Newark area. Status Is Everything is the first HIV social marketing campaign in New Jersey to combine new media and traditional media strategies including: text messaging, Twitter, Facebook, PSAs and large-scale outdoor advertising. Candidates can receive 24-hour access to local Newark-based testing centers three ways: by texting NJ and their zip code (NJ07102) to 36363, calling 1-866-HIV-CHECK, or by visiting www.statusiseverything.org. A key component to the campaigns success is featuring local African American men who self-identify as men who have sex with men, in the campaign’s original photography and PSA’s. The New Jersey Department of Health & Senior Services Division of HIV/AIDS Services funds the campaign, as part of its efforts to target high-risk African American men. Results will be evaluated through the HIV Prevention Community Planning Support and Development Initiative of Rutgers University.

About the African American Office of Gay Concerns (AAOGC)
African American Office of Gay Concerns has a mission to serve as a resource for the well-being of men of color, inclusive of, but not limited to the gay, bisexual, transgendered and questioning communities through outreach, education and compassionate care. The African American Office of Gay Concerns is committed to delivering quality HIV/AIDS services to the Gay community in the Newark Area. We provide an array of services focused on changing individual behavior. For more information about AAOGC or “Status Is Everything”, please call 973-639-0700 or visit www.AAOGC.org.

Media Contact: Kimberlee Williams, FEMWORKS, 973-494-9705, kwilliams@femworksllc.com

Source: African American Office of Gay Concerns

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Status Is Everything HIV testing campaign targets young African American men in Newark, NJ.

Status Is Everything HIV testing campaign targets young African American men in Newark, NJ.

To Increase HIV Testing Rates in Newark “Status Is Everything” Pioneers New Media, Text Messaging, and Social Media

NEWARK, N.J., Jan. 27, 2010 – On February 4, 2010, during a full day of events, the African American Office of Gay Concerns (AAOGC.org), Mayor Cory A. Booker and the LGBTQ Commission will kick-off “Status Is Everything”, a pioneering, Newark, NJ focused HIV testing social marketing campaign targeting African American men who have sex with men, aged 18-24. This is the first New Jersey public health campaign of its kind to utilize social media and text messaging to provide residents 24-hour instant access to local HIV/STD testing centers – text NJ+YourZipCode (NJ07102) to 36363. 1-866-HIV-CHECK access is provided by the New Jersey HIV/STD hotline.

Status Is Everything Social Media
Twitter – http://bit.ly/69k7mP
Facebook – http://bit.ly/SIEFacebook
YouTube - http://bit.ly/SIEBernard1
Causecast – http://bit.ly/SIECausecast

The multifaceted six month campaign features an interactive website StatusIsEverything.org that promotes seven “friendly reminder” e-cards and six video PSAs of Newark spokespeople; PSAs in movie theaters and on Cablevision Networks; bus wraps, a billboard, and light rail train signs.

WHEN: THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2010

8:30AM until 10:00AM – CONTINENTAL BREAKFAST – Open To All To Attend
Newark City Hall, Rotunda, 920 Broad Street, Newark, NJ 07102
AAOGC staff and key campaign spokespeople will be available for interviews.

11:00AM – PRESS CONFERENCE – Open To All To Attend
Newark Municipal Council’s Chamber, Room 221, 920 Broad Street, Newark, NJ

Invited Speakers
Mayor Cory A. Booker, City of Newark
Mildred Crump, President, Newark Municipal Council
Laurence Ganges, MSW, Assistant Commissioner, New Jersey Department
of Health and Senior Services: Division of HIV/AIDS Service
Gary Paul Wright, Executive Director, African American Office of Gay
Concerns
Kimberlee S. Williams, Principal and Marketing Director, FEMWORKS
Danielle Bush, Counseling, Testing and Referral Services Manager, North
Jersey Community Research Initiative
Dwight Peavy, Executive Director, Newark EMA HIV Health Services
Planning Council
Timothy Daniels, Campaign Model and Spokesperson

2:00PM – 3:00PM – MOCK HIV TEST SESSION FOR B-ROLL – Media Only Please
NJCRI – 393 Central Avenue, Newark, NJ 07102

Interviews
Timothy Daniels, Status Is Everything Campaign Spokesperson
Danielle Bush, Counseling, Testing and Referral Services Manager, NJCRI
Brian McGovern, Executive Director, NJCRI
Gary Paul Wright, Executive Director, African American Office of Gay
Concerns

6:00PM – LGBTQ COMMUNITY SOCIAL MIXER AT THE SPOT – Open To All To Attend
The Spot, 45 Commerce, Newark, NJ 07102
Models, spokespeople, dignataries, elected officials, and partners will be in attendance.

WHERE: Various locations. Please see details above in the WHEN section.

Media Contacts: Contact: Kimberlee Williams, Marketing Director of FEMWORKS, (973) 494-9705 or kwilliams@femworksllc.com, or Robyn Butler of FEMWORKS, (973)494-9705, or rbutler@femworksllc.com.

Source: African American Office of Gay Concerns

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ComeUnity Wire is a service of FEMWORKS LLC. Issuers and not FEMWORKS LLC are solely responsible for the content, facts and accuracy of all information submitted by them for transmission or posting by ComeUnity Wire. FEMWORKS LLC does not warrant or make any representations concerning the content, accuracy, likely results or reliability of the use of the materials it transmits or posts.

Campaign Objectives:
- Drive use of text message #36363 for instant access to local Newark Testing Centers
- Drive use of New Jersey HIV/STD hot line 1-866-HIV-CHECK
- Drive target community interaction and participation

Get Involved With Status Is Everything
Please join us online, upload PSAs to be featured on the Status Is Everything website – www.StatusIsEverything.org and join this much needed conversation.
Twitter: http://bit.ly/SIETwitter
Facebook: http://bit.ly/SIEFacebook
Causecast: http://bit.ly/SIECausecast
YouTube: http://bit.ly/SIEYouTube

About Status Is Everything (SIE)

SIE is an HIV Testing social marketing campaign produced by AAOGC.org it’s funded by New Jersey Department of Health & Senior Services: Division of HIV/AIDS Services and the Centers for Disease Control

Status Is Everything is Newark based and aims to encourage African American men, particularly young men who have sex with men, to get HIV tested and reduce risky behaviors.

A respondent to the “Status Is Everything” campaign will be referred to one of three partnering local HIV testing centers in Newark; St. Michael’s, UMDNJ, and NJCRI. These site were selected by five focus groups of young African American gay men and offer confidential and convenient testing services.

SIE Offers 24 hour instant access to local Newark based testing center information through texting 36363 with NJ and your zip (NJ 07102). Callers to 1-866-HIV-CHECK are connected to New Jersey’s HIV/STD hotline, operated by UMDNJ Poison control center in Newark.

SIE integrated promotions include social media, text messaging, YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, CauseCast.com, television commercials, buses wraps, bus interior and exterior signage, movie theater, light rail trains, billboards in downtown Newark, and StatusIsEverything.org.

About LCH Business Media and Tech Solutions (LCH)
LCH is a boutique social media firm based in Newark, NJ. that specializes in Web 2.0 Campaign Strategy and Management and Mobile Application Development

Media Contact: Kimberlee Williams, FEMWORKS, 973-494-9705.

Source: LCH Business Social Media & Tech Solutions

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ComeUnity Wire is a service of FEMWORKS LLC. Issuers and not FEMWORKS LLC are solely responsible for the content, facts and accuracy of all information submitted by them for transmission or posting by ComeUnity Wire. FEMWORKS LLC does not warrant or make any representations concerning the content, accuracy, likely results or reliability of the use of the materials it transmits or posts.

Silent Vigil to End the Silence of HIV/AIDS is hosted by the African American Office of Gay Concerns

NEWARK, N.J., Dec. 1, 2009 – Today on World AIDS Day at 12 noon to 1pm, the African American Office of Gay Concerns will host a one hour Silent Protest to End the Silence of AIDS. There will not be speeches. There will not be songs. There will not be handbills. People will be joined hand in hand from City Hall on Broad Street to the Prudential Center. The event is intended to raise awareness about the continuing crisis of HIV/AIDS in our community.

Event Details:
Silent Protest to End the Silence of AIDS
Date: Tuesday, Dec. 1, 2009
Location: Newark City Hall, 920 Broad Street, Newark, NJ 07102
Time: 12pm – 1pm

“Our Silence will represent the hundreds of friends and relatives we’ve lost to AIDS. After one hour, we will silently go about our day as usual, because that’s what people who live with HIV and AIDS have to do every day—go about their lives. It’s that simple. It is our hope that people will remember our Silent Protest and maybe next year link hands with us,” says Gary Paul Wright, Executive Director of the AAOGC and Commissioner, LGBTQ Commission, City of Newark, NJ.

About African American Office of Gay Concerns (AAOGC)
AAOGC’s mission is to comprehensively serve as a resource for the well-being of Gay men of color, inclusive of, but not limited to the gay, bisexual, transgendered and questioning communities through outreach, education and compassionate care. The African American Office of Gay Concerns is committed to delivering quality HIV/AIDS services to the Gay community in the Newark Area. We provide an array of services focusing on changing individual behavior. This is accomplished through our interaction with our consumers and developing an understanding of their needs. For more information about AAOGC or Status Is Everything, please call 973-639-0700 or visit www.AAOGC.org.

Media Contact: African American Office of Gay Concerns at 973-639-0700.

Source: African American Office of Gay Concerns

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ComeUnity Wire is a service of FEMWORKS LLC. Issuers and not FEMWORKS LLC are solely responsible for the content, facts and accuracy of all information submitted by them for transmission or posting by ComeUnity Wire. FEMWORKS LLC does not warrant or make any representations concerning the content, accuracy, likely results or reliability of the use of the materials it transmits or posts.

Newark Mayor Cory Booker with swear in the city's first LGTIQ commision

The Historic Event Begins at 1:00PM in the City Council Chambers at City Hall – 920 Broad Street

Newark, NJ – Newark, NJ., October 28, 2009 – You are cordially invited to join Mayor Cory Booker and The Newark Municipal Council as the members of the inaugural Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Questioning (LGBTQ) Advisory Commission take the Oath of Office on Wednesday, October 28, 2009 in the Municipal Council Chambers, Room 215, Newark City Hall, 920 Broad Street, Newark, N.J. at 12:30 p.m.

The inaugural Newark, NJ, LGBTQ Advisory Commission members are as follows:

Reverend Janyce L. Jackson
Rooney Long
Darnell L. Moore
Joseph Panessidi
Perris Straughter
Margaret L. Woods
Gary Paul Wright

Your presence at this event will be uniquely special for the members of the LGBTQ Advisory Commission members and Mayor Booker. Thanking you in advance for your support of the LGBTQ Advisory Commission and the City of Newark!

Source: Liberation In Truth Unity Fellowship Church

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ComeUnity Wire is a service of FEMWORKS LLC. Issuers and not FEMWORKS LLC are solely responsible for the content, facts and accuracy of all information submitted by them for transmission or posting by ComeUnity Wire. FEMWORKS LLC does not warrant or make any representations concerning the content, accuracy, likely results or reliability of the use of the materials it transmits or posts.

Newark, NJ – October 28, 2009 – Mayor Cory A. Booker and members of the Newark Municipal Council will swear in the City of Newark’s first-ever Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans-gender and Questioning Commission, in the Municipal Council Chamber, in City Hall, today, Wednesday, October 28, 2009, at 1 p.m. First-ever LGBTQ Commission will directly address community’s needs; Seven-member board will fight harassment and discrimination.

For the first time in the City of Newark’s history, Newark is creating a Mayoral Commission to directly address the needs and concerns affecting its lesbian, gay, bisexual, and trans-gender community.

The seven-member commission’s purpose is to promote policies and awareness of issues concerning the cultural, social, economic, political, educational, health and general well being of LGBTQ individuals and their families.

The advisory commission hopes to bring an end to harassment, bullying, discrimination, economic and health care disparities, whether in the workplace, public, educational and/or healthcare setting and promote education, social and institutional sensitivity.

WHO: Mayor Cory A. Booker, members of the Newark Municipal Council, and the seven members of the City of Newark’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans-gender, and Questioning Commission.

WHAT: Will swear in the City of Newark’s first-ever Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans-gender and Questioning Commission.

WHEN: Wednesday, October 28, 1 p.m.

WHERE: City Hall Municipal Council Chamber, 920 Broad Street, Newark

Media Contact: Press Information Office –
(973) 733-8004. E-mail: Pressoffice@ci.newark.nj.us

Source: City of Newark, NJ

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ComeUnity Wire is a service of FEMWORKS LLC. Issuers and not FEMWORKS LLC are solely responsible for the content, facts and accuracy of all information submitted by them for transmission or posting by ComeUnity Wire. FEMWORKS LLC does not warrant or make any representations concerning the content, accuracy, likely results or reliability of the use of the materials it transmits or posts.

Status Is Everything photo shoot sneak preview

“Status Is Everything” Social Marketing Campaign Targets Young African American Gay Men In Newark

NEWARK, N.J., October 27, 2009 – Beginning January 2010 in Newark , African American men who have sex with men will be targeted by an HIV Testing social marketing campaign titled “Status Is Everything” organized by the African American Office of Gay Concerns (AAOGC) of Newark. “Status Is Everything” aims to encourage African American men, particularly young men who have sex with men, to get HIV tested and reduce risky behaviors. AAOGC will unveil the “Status Is Everything” brand and outreach components on World AIDS Day, December 1, 2009. Funding for “Status Is Everything” is provided by the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services as part of the department’s HIV prevention efforts aimed at high-risk African American men.

Preview Campaign Photos: http://tinyurl.com/yksyxsm
Campaign Website: www.StatusIsEverything.org, (January 2010 Launch)

“Our focus groups with young African American gay men have shown that “Status Is Everything” must use new media to reach and impact their demographic. We will market the campaign using mobile text messaging, viral videos, Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, as well as billboards and palm cards, print and online ads,” adds Gary Paul Wright, Executive Director of AAOGC. AAOGC has retained FEMWORKS, Newark’s premier multicultural marketing agency, to lead the creative and communications plans for the social marketing campaign.

The “Status Is Everything” campaign is designed to provide referrals to partnering local HIV testing centers in Newark that are preferred by young African American gay men and offer confidential and convenient testing services. A testing candidate will be able to receive referral services through their mobile device, online at www.StatusIsEverthing.org, or through the New Jersey hotline 1-866-HIV-CHECK. A thorough evaluation will be conducted by the HIV Prevention Community Planning Support and Development Initiative of Rutgers University.

About African American Office of Gay Concerns (AAOGC)
AAOGC’s mission is to comprehensively serve as a resource for the well-being of Gay men of color, inclusive of, but not limited to the gay, bisexual, transgendered and questioning communities through outreach, education and compassionate care. The African American Office of Gay Concerns is committed to delivering quality HIV/AIDS services to the Gay community in the Newark Area. We provide an array of services focusing on changing individual behavior. This is accomplished through our interaction with our consumers and developing an understanding of their needs. For more information about AAOGC or Status Is Everything, please call 973-639-0700 or visit www.AAOGC.org.

Media Contact: Kimberlee S. Williams, FEMWORKS, 973-494-9705, or email kwilliams@femworksllc.com

Source: African American Office of Gay Concerns

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ComeUnity Wire is a service of FEMWORKS LLC. Issuers and not FEMWORKS LLC are solely responsible for the content, facts and accuracy of all information submitted by them for transmission or posting by ComeUnity Wire. FEMWORKS LLC does not warrant or make any representations concerning the content, accuracy, likely results or reliability of the use of the materials it transmits or posts.