Is Hip-Hop the Only Buzz in Atlanta?

Atlanta is home to Grammy-nominated artists, T.I., Ludacris, Jermaine Dupree, Usher, Ciara and others and becoming a buzz for all things hip, exciting and trendy. But is this all this beautiful, cultural city has to offer? Not if the social conscious have anything to do with it as Atlanta prepares for its 2007 AIDS Walk that will take place in the historic Piedmont Park on Sunday, October 21, 2007.

Every year, AIDS Walk Atlanta raise much needed funds and awareness for organizations throughout the metro-Atlanta area that provide essential programs and services to men, women and children living with HIV/AIDS. Their motto: "Every life deserves hope." Let's face it; AIDS is an epidemic affecting the inner-city population in a major way. According to CDC, the State of Georgia has the eighth highest number of reported AIDS cases in the U.S.:

• The total number of AIDS cases reported in Georgia in 2001 was 24,406.
• In Georgia, African-Americans make up approximately 62% of the total reported cumulative AIDS cases.
• More than 68% of the reported AIDS cases in Georgia are within the Atlanta Metropolitan area which includes Clayton, Cobb, Dekalb, Fulton, and Gwinnett counties. 67% of these cases are in Fulton County.
• African-American children make up 78% of all reported pediatric cases in Georgia.
• African-American women comprise 83% of the total reported cumulative AIDS cases among women in Georgia.

The mission of AID Atlanta is to empower HIV positive Georgians to live independent, productive lives and to deliver world-class educational programs to help stop the spread of HIV or by reducing at-risk behaviors in targeted populations. African-Americans are those in most need of the benefits that fundraisers like this provide because of high-incidence in our communities.

To help rally and support the cause each year, some of Atlanta's most influential social conscious citizens lend their support to bring awareness to HIV/AIDS. They are donating, organizing complimentary events and volunteering their time and talents to help make this walk a success. This year, several major organizations are onboard as sponsors: Delta (Official Airline of AIDS Walk Atlanta), Solvay Pharmaceuticals (Event Sponsor), Caribou Coffee, Cabbage Patch Kids ™ , Deloitte ™ , The New AT&T ™, AGL Resources, Chevron, and Coca-Cola.

What can you do to support AIDS Walk Atlanta?

Well, I'm glad you asked. You can sponsor a walker (like me) by visiting my participant center at the site below or by pledging a contribution offline.

If you would like to do even more, you can register for AIDS Walk Atlanta and have your very own AIDS Walk website and fundraising center. You can register by following the instructions from http://www.aidswalkatlanta.com.

Volunteer Opportunities

There are several volunteer opportunities from setting up on the day before to signing-up and presenting awards and give-a-ways to all participants, please visit the website at www.aidswalkatlanta.com

About the Run

As a runner you can support the vital programs and services of AIDS Walk Atlanta by racing along Piedmont Park along with the Walkers of AIDS Walk Atlanta. The AIDS Run Atlanta is a 5k road race. Overall winners and age group trophies will be presented in the post-run/walk celebration in the meadow at Piedmont Park. A waiver and a paid registration fee are required of all runners. Due to public safety concerns, all walkers, strollers, in line skaters and scooters can only participate in the AIDS Walk, not the Run. You can register online at AidsWalkAtlanta.com

About the Walk

AIDS Walk Atlanta is the southeast's largest AIDS fundraising event, raising over $1 million for people living with HIV/AIDS in Georgia and is in its 16^th year. AIDS Walk Atlanta is a fundraising walk-a-thon that raises funds for AIDS service organizations across Atlanta to promote education, testing, case management and provides support services to people living with and affected by HIV and AIDS. AIDS Walk Atlanta is a fundraising walk-a-thon that begins and ends in Piedmont Park.