Rock The Red Program Book
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The Red Pump Project is hosting an event called "Rock the Red" on March 25, 2010 in Chicago to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS. The event will feature fashion designers, music, and a presentation by the founders of The Red Pump Project. They will also honor Rae Lewis-Thornton with a Living Legacy award for her work as an AIDS activist. Proceeds from the event will support The Red Pump Project's work empowering those living with HIV/AIDS and educating others on prevention.
Rock The Red Program Book
- 1. The Red Pump Poject Pesents Rock theRed THURSDAY MARCH 25, 2010 6PM - 9PM THE BOTTOM LOUNGE 1375 W. LAKE ST. CHICAGO, IL 60607 Bold.Fashion.Awareness.
- 2. A Letter From The Founders Determined to combine our love of shoes with our passion for fighting AIDS, we launched The Red Pump Project one year ago. Within that time, we’ve been blessed to meet and gain the support of so many individuals and organizations committed to fighting HIV/AIDS in communities across the country. The little idea we had has blossomed into a movement beyond our expectations and we feel extremely blessed. We would like to thank ALL the bloggers who have joined us to “Rock the Red Pump” and to dedicate posts to the issue of HIV/AIDS on women, ALL of the women around the country who donned their favorite pair of red shoes for the occasion, and of course, all the individuals who are living strongly with HIV/AIDS and not letting it beat them down. We will continue to do work online and on the ground to empower those who are living with the disease to live well with it, and for those who aren’t infected to maintain that status. We will continue to “Rock the Red Pump” to represent the strength and courage of those affected with HIV/AIDS. Now that we’re one, we are no longer crawling. The Red Pump Project is now walking and running. It is our hope you stick with us as we prove that: Awareness is always in style. Karyn Luvvie (THe ReD PumP PRojecT fouNDeRS)
- 3. About The Red Pump Project The Red Pump Project began when Luvvie Ajayi and Karyn Watkins decided to commemorate the 2009 National Women Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day (NWGHAAD). Their desire to get conversation started about the issue of HIV/AIDS gave way to them designing a Red Pump badge and putting out a call for bloggers to “Rock the Red Pump” on march 10th in honor of the day. Their initial goal of 100 bloggers was reached and surpassed when 135 bloggers participated and displayed the widget on their website or even wrote articles discussing HIV/AIDS and its effect on women on NWGHAAD. The Red Pump Project is now a national initiative that is doing work on the ground and online to ensure that women are empowered with knowledge about HIV/AIDS and the issues surrounding it. There are 40 Red Pump ambassadors in 40 states around the country “Rocking the Red Pump” to raise awareness about this epidemic. The goal is to get at least one ambassador in every state. Tasasha, Denise, Venita, Luvvie, Kenya, Karyn, jenna, Dominique, Brittany Team Red Pump
- 4. About Rae Lewis-Thornton emmy Award Winning AIDS Activist Rae Lewis- Thornton rose to national acclaim when she told her story of living with AIDS in a cover story for essence magazine. In addition to the December 1994 cover story for essence magazine, Rae has been featured in countless magazines and newspapers. As a contributing editor for WBBm-TV, Rae won the covenant emmy Award for an ongoing series of first-person reports on living with AIDS. Prior to Rae’s motivational speaking career, she was on her way to a promising political organizing career. Rae was forced to retire from politics in 1993 as a result of her health. Rae Lewis-Thornton was licensed as a Baptist minister in july 2000 at fellowship missionary Baptist church, in chicago, Illinois by the Rev. clay evans. She received a master of Divinity degree from mccormick Theological Seminary in june 2003 and was the recipient of the Arthur Hays fellowship in church History. Rae Lewis-Thornton is currently a PhD student at the Lutheran School of Theology at chicago. Rae is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority. In November 2002, ebony magazine named Rae Lewis-Thornton one of America’s 57 most Intriguing people of 2002. She has received hundreds of awards for her work in HIV/AIDS over the last fifteen years. Rae is currently working on her anticipated life story, unprotected, A memoir. “I made a promise sixteen years ago that I would be a voice for the voiceless, face for the faceless, bring hope to the hopeless and tear down barriers and stand with DIGNITY, as a Woman living with AIDS.“ Rae just launched her blog “Diva Living With AIDS.” Visit www.raelewisthornton.com to read more.
- 5. Order of Show Opening Cocktail Reception Welcome Danielle Noel Riley, miss Black Illinois BOLD FASHION Featuring the designs of melanie Lyke of Rockett mansion Kortnee Quiza of Verse Boutique Amber johnson Kahindo mateene New’d chicago Intermission A Year in Red Pump Luvvie Ajayi and Karyn Watkins, founders of The Red Pump Project Presentation of the Living Legacy Award to Ultimate Red Pump Rocker Honoree: Rae Lewis-Thornton FASHION AWARENESS Featuring the designs of crystal B. Designs Spirit Africa Black market caviar Closing Remarks (oRDeR of DeSIGNeRS SuBjecT To cHANGe) Shoes: eidia Lush, Sensual Steps Accessories: Pretty Afrika, found objects, Ashley S. Drapes
- 6. Thanks to Our Sponsors
- 7. Rock The Red Team ACCeSSORIeS PhOtOgRAPhY MOdeLS Ashley S. Drapes Graffiti Photo Amber Lewis found objects T. Will Photography Andrea Harvey Pretty Afrika enlair Photography chloe ogundimu Latithia jackson CLOthIng ShOeS joshua Vaughn Amber johnson eidia Lush Latrice Harris Black market caviar Sensual Steps omar Koite crystal B. Designs Laterra Hill Kahindo mateene MAke-UP Ninah Snipes New’d chicago Rashida B (The B Remeka Sullivan Rockett mansion Spot) Tillia mccullum Spirit Africa Arie jones Rita Barnes Verse Boutique LYB Artistry Rolake Balogun Tyrus Garrett hAIR SPeCIAL thAnkS tO Tamara cooper Dee Desalu Aramide esubi Vaughn j (Stylist) MUSIC Shauna S. Dj Bonsu (coordinator) Many Thanks FroM The Red Pump Project
- 8. I Rock The Red Pump Because... “most women don’t take enough pride in their bodies to not have unprotected sex with a person whose HIV status is unknown.” “Women are being more infected because we don’t believe it can happen to us. We need to love ourselves more than we love him.” “Together we’re building a sisterhood created to support, uplift, educate each other.” “People, especially women, need to remove the veil of secrecy, shame guilt. A future death is certain from trying to hide the past.” “Women are being infected because we think respecting his ego is more important than respecting our bodies.” “my childhood mentor has the disease but never lets it have her.” “Because all too often women place less value on themselves than others and give up their right to live for the sake of acceptance.” “To combat my own ignorance, my own fears and my own misconceptions. Awareness starts with self.” “No one should have to loose a loved one to care about helping someone else avoid making a mistake.” “At the end of the day, we are ALL affected one way or another. I rock the Red Pump for those with the disease who cannot.” “I am a woman and every 35 minutes a woman in the uS test positive for HIV.”
- 9. “Historically we haven’t been taught /raised to value ourselves. We, as women, put others first and it’s killing us.” “for my childhood friend who passed away 15 years ago and for all of those that refuse to know their status.” “I want my daughter to discuss HIV/AIDS openly and intelligently and not rely on hearsay or misinformation.” ”We are better than statistics. our women are the most passionate, beautiful, giving, and caring people on the planet. HIV is stealing those women from us.” “I tagged a family member in the Red Pump badge on facebook. She told me her mom’s birthday was today and she died of AIDS ten years ago.” (These quotes were gathered from women across the country on Twitter during National Women and Girl’s HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, march 10, 2010.)
- 16. info@theredpumpproject.com EMAIL @RedPumpProj TWITTER www.theredpumproject.com WEB www.facebook.com/RedPumpProject FACEBOOK