We Have Been Silent Too Long!
http://www.aframnews.com/html/interspire/articles/140/1/We-Have-Been--Silent-Too-Long/Page1.html
Marvin D. Cloud
Marvin D. Cloud is Web Developer and a writer for the African-American News&Issues.By Marvin D. Cloud
Published on 02/24/2009
Asida Soul from the left: Sannayu, Tia, Mikki Swann, LaToya
Walker, Chikah Davidson and Narissa Johnson. A new
addition, LaTasha Henry was recently added to the group.
Photo by Jesse Simon
HOUSTON- One year ago, legislators at the national, state and local levels wore black “Got AIDS?” T-shirts as part of a campaign to raise awareness of the AIDS epidemic in the Black community. Delivered by The Black AIDS Institute, of Los Angeles, the shirts also asked on the back, “How do you know?” The “Got AIDS” campaign, which is a takeoff on the popular “Got Milk” campaign created by the California Milk Processor Board in 1993 and credited with increasing milk sales nationwide—after a 20-year slump.
The Black AIDS Institute, considered to be the first Black HIV/AIDS policy center dedicated to reducing HIV/AIDS health disparities by mobilizing Black institutions and individuals in efforts to confront the epidemic in their communities, is hoping that in time, the campaign, while increasing awareness, will decrease the number of actual cases that is gripping the nation. Their motto is a model for others seeking a commitment to self-preservation: “Our People, Our Problem, Our Solution.”
In Houston, Asida Soul, (pronounced Ah-See-Dah) a female soul/neo-soul band, is doing its part to increase the awareness of the disease which according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) is at least 40 percent larger than previously believed and growing by between 55,000 and 58,000 infections a year and which Black Americans represented 45 percent of people newly infected in 2006, despite being just 13 percent of the population. Asida (taking root) was named after lead vocalist and songwriter Sannayu’s son, (Adisa). Earlier this month, the group held a music video release and “Project Do Something” kick-off at the Museum of Printing History, 1324 W. Clay St.
Sannayu and Tia, keyboards/ music producer and songwriter, played together for three years, formerly with another group, “Something Unique.” In 2001, while listening to former City Councilwoman Ada Edwards speak at a rally immediately after she was appointed to the State of Emergency Task Force by Mayor Bill White, Sannayu said she was haunted by the thought that she could not do anything that Edwards was imploring the attendees to do in order to bring about HIV/AIDS awareness in the community. ‘I kept thinking, ‘I don’t think I can do that,’” after every suggestion Edwards made. Edwards kept spitting out facts and suggesting volunteer opportunities, but Sannayu sat in a comfortable position in the back of the room, wanting to sneak out of the door.
“I left thinking ‘do something means do anything.’ I wrote the song the very next day. I came up with the melody and the lyrics. That would be my ‘something.’” The completion of the song actually took a couple more years. “I remembered Tia from the previous group and when we met up again, I asked her ‘do you want to start a band?’”
They both had a heart to do something for the community so when the opportunity presented itself in 2005, they began working on an 11-song CD and their business plan and other group members, Chika Davidson, (drummer), Mikki Swann and LaToya Walker. (backup vocalists) came aboard. Swann is also the group’s choreographer. Recently, Narissa Johnson replaced Walker who is on maternity leave and LaTasha Henry was added to the group as another backup vocalist.
Besides good music, their repertoire consists of about 42 songs with 12 of them being Neo-soul with a jazzy twist, they all have a desire to see the HIV/AIDS epidemic diminished among Blacks if not completely eliminated. The group filmed their music video for their “Do Something” project, last April and the band has worked hard to use music in a positive light to help raise HIV/AIDS awareness.
“I wanted ‘Do Something,’ to be ‘out of the box’ said Sannayu. “I didn’t want it be slow or sad, but uplifting. I wanted it to be something that people would respond to.” “Each of our CDs will have at least one song on it dealing with HIV/AIDS,” said Tia who says she was totally in agreement because many of her friends had already died from AIDS. “I was on board immediately.”
They sent the single that followed the CD, to various organizations but didn’t get a lot of response. They then decided to do a video although they didn’t have a budget to do one. “I connected with people I knew and they agreed to volunteer their services for the project,” she said. The University of Houston-TLC2, donated a camera and cameraman for the three-day shoot, and the editor, producer and director, of French Creole Productions, all donated their services. “We really want to make ‘Do Something’ into a movement.” The group is asking members of the community to do at least one thing to increase HIV/AIDS awareness, no matter how small it might seem, and visit their Web site, www.asidasoul.com and post it. Awards will be given out to the ones making the most impact.
“As a nonprofit venture, we decided to give the video away for free because the message is more important than the money. The song is really important to families raising children.”
The group performs in various venues including private parties, jazz clubs and weddings and is known for covering artists such as Jill Scott, Alicia Keys, Erykah Badu and Earth Wind & Fire. In addition to expanding the band, (they are looking for a female bass player) they are also wanting to do more public functions in the city, as well as out of town. They never fail to perform their message song, which addresses the issues that many people prefer to be left unsaid. “The Black community is not reacting in an urgent way. We should be sounding the alarm that this is an emergency,” Sannayu continued. And again judging from a report by the CDC, “men who have sex with men accounted for 53 percent of all new infections in 2006, and young Black men were particularly hard hit.” The report also points out that Black gay and bisexual men between the ages of 13 and 29 accounted for more new HIV infections among gay and bisexual men than any other race or age group. And more than half, or 52 percent, of all Black gay and bi men infected that year were under 30 years old.
In 2006, 7,426 Black Americans died from AIDS. That number represents a meaningful improvement over the previous year—a decline of 1,253 deaths. Yet, Blacks continue to account for just over half of all AIDS deaths. Ironically, the CDC’s annual HIV-prevention budget has never topped $800 million—a fraction of what the U.S. spends on the Iraq war each week.
Natalie J with radio KCOH 1430AM was first to play “Do Something” on air, and it has since played on KPFT 90.1, and Solarradio.com based in the U.K. Their main goal is to get the song played on stations across the country and around the world, starting with posting the video on YouTube.
Opening acts for recording artists such as Ginuwine and Urban Mystic, they currently perform at Houston Community College campuses for all of their HIV Testing, and last year sang at St. John’s UMC for the Mukuru AIDS Foundation of Houston HIV/AIDS Awareness Event.
Sannayu was mentioned in the December 2008 Jet Magazine for “Women Making a Powerful Difference Through Song” Contest. They have also appeared on FOX 26’s “12 Days of Christmas” and the “Black Voice Show.” Their message is aimed at the community, family, churches, and neighbors who are implored to get involved and talk to their teens and pre-teens. The idea is to let them know what really happens when a person contracts HIV/AIDS. Tia stated, “We have to include church although the church doesn’t like to talk about it. We have been silent too long.”
Top: Nike Lukan of AIDS Foundation Houston served as the mistress
of ceremonies.
Photos by Jesse Simon
Bottom: Intuitive African Dance and Drum Culture:
From the left, Front row: Minkah and Tarami Readus.
Back row: Cedric Washington, Tracie Jackson, and Felix Readus.
At the music video release and “Project Do Something,” kick-off, Nike Lukan of AIDS Foundation Houston served as the mistress of ceremonies. Participants included Intuitive African Dance and Drum Culture, featuring Tracie Jackson, Felix, Minkah, & Tarami Readus and Cedrick Washington.
Former Councilwoman Edwards was given a community service award for her work in HIV/AIDS awareness; actor Curtis Von presented a drama piece entitled, “Thought I Had It All,” and Passionate Poet with a Purpose (D’ars Hargrove) presented “Falling and I Can’t Give Up.” The video “Do Something,” was shown every 15 minutes.
HOUSTON- One year ago, legislators at the national, state and local levels wore black “Got AIDS?” T-shirts as part of a campaign to raise awareness of the AIDS epidemic in the Black community. Delivered by The Black AIDS Institute, of Los Angeles, the shirts also asked on the back, “How do you know?” The “Got AIDS” campaign, which is a takeoff on the popular “Got Milk” campaign created by the California Milk Processor Board in 1993 and credited with increasing milk sales nationwide—after a 20-year slump.
All-Female Group Challenges Black Awareness of AIDS/HIV
Asida Soul from the left: Sannayu, Tia, Mikki Swann, LaToya
Walker, Chikah Davidson and Narissa Johnson. A new
addition, LaTasha Henry was recently added to the group.
Photo by Jesse Simon
HOUSTON- One year ago, legislators at the national, state and local levels wore black “Got AIDS?” T-shirts as part of a campaign to raise awareness of the AIDS epidemic in the Black community. Delivered by The Black AIDS Institute, of Los Angeles, the shirts also asked on the back, “How do you know?” The “Got AIDS” campaign, which is a takeoff on the popular “Got Milk” campaign created by the California Milk Processor Board in 1993 and credited with increasing milk sales nationwide—after a 20-year slump.
The Black AIDS Institute, considered to be the first Black HIV/AIDS policy center dedicated to reducing HIV/AIDS health disparities by mobilizing Black institutions and individuals in efforts to confront the epidemic in their communities, is hoping that in time, the campaign, while increasing awareness, will decrease the number of actual cases that is gripping the nation. Their motto is a model for others seeking a commitment to self-preservation: “Our People, Our Problem, Our Solution.”
In Houston, Asida Soul, (pronounced Ah-See-Dah) a female soul/neo-soul band, is doing its part to increase the awareness of the disease which according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) is at least 40 percent larger than previously believed and growing by between 55,000 and 58,000 infections a year and which Black Americans represented 45 percent of people newly infected in 2006, despite being just 13 percent of the population. Asida (taking root) was named after lead vocalist and songwriter Sannayu’s son, (Adisa). Earlier this month, the group held a music video release and “Project Do Something” kick-off at the Museum of Printing History, 1324 W. Clay St.
Sannayu and Tia, keyboards/ music producer and songwriter, played together for three years, formerly with another group, “Something Unique.” In 2001, while listening to former City Councilwoman Ada Edwards speak at a rally immediately after she was appointed to the State of Emergency Task Force by Mayor Bill White, Sannayu said she was haunted by the thought that she could not do anything that Edwards was imploring the attendees to do in order to bring about HIV/AIDS awareness in the community. ‘I kept thinking, ‘I don’t think I can do that,’” after every suggestion Edwards made. Edwards kept spitting out facts and suggesting volunteer opportunities, but Sannayu sat in a comfortable position in the back of the room, wanting to sneak out of the door.
“I left thinking ‘do something means do anything.’ I wrote the song the very next day. I came up with the melody and the lyrics. That would be my ‘something.’” The completion of the song actually took a couple more years. “I remembered Tia from the previous group and when we met up again, I asked her ‘do you want to start a band?’”
They both had a heart to do something for the community so when the opportunity presented itself in 2005, they began working on an 11-song CD and their business plan and other group members, Chika Davidson, (drummer), Mikki Swann and LaToya Walker. (backup vocalists) came aboard. Swann is also the group’s choreographer. Recently, Narissa Johnson replaced Walker who is on maternity leave and LaTasha Henry was added to the group as another backup vocalist.
Besides good music, their repertoire consists of about 42 songs with 12 of them being Neo-soul with a jazzy twist, they all have a desire to see the HIV/AIDS epidemic diminished among Blacks if not completely eliminated. The group filmed their music video for their “Do Something” project, last April and the band has worked hard to use music in a positive light to help raise HIV/AIDS awareness.
“I wanted ‘Do Something,’ to be ‘out of the box’ said Sannayu. “I didn’t want it be slow or sad, but uplifting. I wanted it to be something that people would respond to.” “Each of our CDs will have at least one song on it dealing with HIV/AIDS,” said Tia who says she was totally in agreement because many of her friends had already died from AIDS. “I was on board immediately.”
They sent the single that followed the CD, to various organizations but didn’t get a lot of response. They then decided to do a video although they didn’t have a budget to do one. “I connected with people I knew and they agreed to volunteer their services for the project,” she said. The University of Houston-TLC2, donated a camera and cameraman for the three-day shoot, and the editor, producer and director, of French Creole Productions, all donated their services. “We really want to make ‘Do Something’ into a movement.” The group is asking members of the community to do at least one thing to increase HIV/AIDS awareness, no matter how small it might seem, and visit their Web site, www.asidasoul.com and post it. Awards will be given out to the ones making the most impact.
“As a nonprofit venture, we decided to give the video away for free because the message is more important than the money. The song is really important to families raising children.”
The group performs in various venues including private parties, jazz clubs and weddings and is known for covering artists such as Jill Scott, Alicia Keys, Erykah Badu and Earth Wind & Fire. In addition to expanding the band, (they are looking for a female bass player) they are also wanting to do more public functions in the city, as well as out of town. They never fail to perform their message song, which addresses the issues that many people prefer to be left unsaid. “The Black community is not reacting in an urgent way. We should be sounding the alarm that this is an emergency,” Sannayu continued. And again judging from a report by the CDC, “men who have sex with men accounted for 53 percent of all new infections in 2006, and young Black men were particularly hard hit.” The report also points out that Black gay and bisexual men between the ages of 13 and 29 accounted for more new HIV infections among gay and bisexual men than any other race or age group. And more than half, or 52 percent, of all Black gay and bi men infected that year were under 30 years old.
In 2006, 7,426 Black Americans died from AIDS. That number represents a meaningful improvement over the previous year—a decline of 1,253 deaths. Yet, Blacks continue to account for just over half of all AIDS deaths. Ironically, the CDC’s annual HIV-prevention budget has never topped $800 million—a fraction of what the U.S. spends on the Iraq war each week.
Natalie J with radio KCOH 1430AM was first to play “Do Something” on air, and it has since played on KPFT 90.1, and Solarradio.com based in the U.K. Their main goal is to get the song played on stations across the country and around the world, starting with posting the video on YouTube.
Opening acts for recording artists such as Ginuwine and Urban Mystic, they currently perform at Houston Community College campuses for all of their HIV Testing, and last year sang at St. John’s UMC for the Mukuru AIDS Foundation of Houston HIV/AIDS Awareness Event.
Sannayu was mentioned in the December 2008 Jet Magazine for “Women Making a Powerful Difference Through Song” Contest. They have also appeared on FOX 26’s “12 Days of Christmas” and the “Black Voice Show.” Their message is aimed at the community, family, churches, and neighbors who are implored to get involved and talk to their teens and pre-teens. The idea is to let them know what really happens when a person contracts HIV/AIDS. Tia stated, “We have to include church although the church doesn’t like to talk about it. We have been silent too long.”
Top: Nike Lukan of AIDS Foundation Houston served as the mistress
of ceremonies.
Photos by Jesse Simon
Bottom: Intuitive African Dance and Drum Culture:
From the left, Front row: Minkah and Tarami Readus.
Back row: Cedric Washington, Tracie Jackson, and Felix Readus.
At the music video release and “Project Do Something,” kick-off, Nike Lukan of AIDS Foundation Houston served as the mistress of ceremonies. Participants included Intuitive African Dance and Drum Culture, featuring Tracie Jackson, Felix, Minkah, & Tarami Readus and Cedrick Washington.
Former Councilwoman Edwards was given a community service award for her work in HIV/AIDS awareness; actor Curtis Von presented a drama piece entitled, “Thought I Had It All,” and Passionate Poet with a Purpose (D’ars Hargrove) presented “Falling and I Can’t Give Up.” The video “Do Something,” was shown every 15 minutes.