Mario Cooper 

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One More River to Cross : Black and Gay in America by Keith Boykin

Boykin, for two years President Clinton's liaison to the minority press, tries to bridge the gulf between blacks and gays by presenting a cross section of views that illuminate black gay Americans' lives. He weaves his own observations with those of black clergy, gay political leaders, and other black lesbians and gays as he covers concepts of faith, family, and the things that can separate the black and gay communities. (Anent family concerns, he reports that "homosexual and interracial relationships raise many of the same concerns to black families, including continuation of the family, humiliation of the family, and commitment to the race." ) Among those he calls to testify: a Christian minister asking the president to execute homosexuals in the name of God; black gay rural as well as urban dwellers; churchgoers and nightclubbers; black gays whose conflicted loyalties place them between black and gay worlds; and black lesbians and gays who, without many role models, strive to forge their own identities. Whitney Scott From Booklist

Mario Cooper

ACTIVIST

Mario Cooper is the founder of Leading for Life.

"One of the great lessons gleaned from the HIV/AIDS crisis is that given the resources and support, a community can galvanize itself and respond effectively to a health crisis. This has been clearly demonstrated by the Gay and Lesbian community in responding to the devastation of AIDS. The community-based programs, the policy organizations, and the creative and effective safer sex education programs created by the communities historically affected by AIDS are a testimony to the importance of empowering a community.

To a large extent, minority communities have not received similar levels of support from the government, foundations, and from the private sector. Services taken for granted in many places are simply not available for African Americans. This trend must be reversed.

While many have rushed to declare AIDS over, in many fundamental ways, AIDS is just beginning in minority communities. While infection and death rates have had a disproportional impact on these communities for years, sadly, only recently have government agencies and others taken steps to address the special needs of minorities. As a result, there is a dearth of community based organizations within communities of color and a paucity of HIV behavioral research on minority communities.

Importantly, we must acknowledge the impact of poverty, violent crime, and other socioeconomic factors that continue to marginalize these communities. These realities make it extraordinarily difficult to build an effective response to HIV/AIDS. But, given the opportunity and the resources to do so, there is no doubt that these communities can respond..." -- Mario Cooper

Harvard AIDS Institute:  Leading for Life

AIDS is disproportionally affecting African Americans and Latinos -- and the gap is only widening. While African Americans account for 12 percent of the United States population, they constitute over 40 percent of the country’s AIDS cases. Latino children are nearly six times as likely to be diagnosed with AIDS as their white counterparts.

In October 1996, in response to disproportionate impact of AIDS on African American communities, the Harvard AIDS Institute launched Leading for Life, a campaign to mobilize African American leaders to stand up against the AIDS crisis that is devastating their communities.

In May 1998, the Institute launched Unidos Para la Vida, a campaign aimed at Latino community leaders.

The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation -- a non-profit, independent national health care philanthropy based in Menlo Park, California -- provided primary funding for the campaign, as well as support and guidance...

Spotlight:  A Community in Crisis

From HIV InSite

The AIDS crisis in the African American community is dramatically illustrated by the highlighted graphs. The numbers reflect the stark reality that HIV/AIDS has significantly impacted African Americans since the beginning of the epidemic. Sadly, resources are still not flowing into the communities at levels that the infection and death rates would rationally warrant. Of course, behind these numbers are thousands of families that have been devastated by HIV/AIDS, and many volunteers and organizations that have lent a hand to those in need...

Includes a Welcome Letter by Mario Cooper.

Historical Perspectives -- AIDS in Black America

Mario Cooper speaks with Belynda Dunn, Dr. Benny Primm, and Phill Wilson about a painful experience and a rewarding event from their almost two decades of leadership.

African American Resources:

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