NJ African American Office Of Gay Concerns To Launch 'Status Is Everything' Testing Campaign

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

NEWARK, N.J., -- On February 4, 2010, during a full day of events, the African American Office of Gay Concerns (AAOGC.org) and Newark's LGBTQ Commission will kick-off "Status Is Everything", a pioneering, Newark, NJfocused 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.

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 lightrail signs.

WHEN: THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2010

8:30AM - 10:00AM - NETWORKING CONTINENTAL BREAKFAST
Newark City Hall, Rotunda, 920 Broad Street, Newark, NJ
Open To All

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

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, AAOGC
Kimberlee S. Williams, Principal and Marketing Director, FEMWORKS
Danielle Bush, Counseling, Testing and Referral Services Manager, North
Jersey Community Research Initiative (NJCRI)
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
North Jersey Community Research Initiative (NJCRI) - 393 Central Avenue, Newark,
NJ 07102

6:00PM - LGBTQ COMMUNITY SOCIAL MIXER
The Spot, 45 Commerce Street, Newark, NJ
Open To All To Attend


WHERE: Please see WHEN section.