On Thursday night time, all eyes have been on NBA Corridor of Famer Magic Johnson and his spouse, Cookie Johnson, throughout the fourth annual Elizabeth Taylor Ball to Finish AIDS, held on the Beverly Hills Resort in Beverly Hills, California.
In keeping with a press launch to theGrio, the gala, placed on by the Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Basis, featured a seated dinner, a efficiency by seven-time Grammy Award winner Gladys Knight, and, in partnership with Christie’s, a stay public sale of art work and luxurious experiences.
Over the course of the night, actress Angela Bassett and husband Courtney B. Vance introduced the Johnsons with the Elizabeth Taylor Dedication to Finish AIDS Award.
Throughout his remarks, whereas accepting the award, former NBA famous person Johnson — who first introduced he had examined optimistic for HIV in November 1991 — stated, “After I take into consideration my journey 32 years in the past, when individuals say I wouldn’t be right here, it’s corporations like Gilead and others who supplied [an opportunity]. At the moment there was just one drug, however the blessing is, now there are over 40. We made some nice strides. Now we are able to have dinners and discuss overtly about HIV and AIDS the place again then we couldn’t.”
The identical yr he examined optimistic for HIV, he based he based the Magic Johnson Basis, which for greater than 30 years has been spearheading initiatives to enhance city communities. By way of the muse’s “I Stand With Magic” program, slightly below 80,000 Individuals have gained entry to free HIV/AIDS testing. The Johnsons have additionally given greater than $14 million to HIV/AIDS organizations by way of the muse.
Bassett, who was the gala’s host, advised these gathered: “When Elizabeth Taylor based The Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Basis many years in the past, she knew what remains to be so clear at this time. The HIV/AIDS epidemic is not only a well being disaster. Additionally it is a social justice and well being fairness disaster. Despite the fact that we’ve made a lot scientific progress, individuals dwelling with HIV nonetheless face stigma, discrimination, criminalization and profound inequities.”
Whereas HIV/AIDS has declined in some communities, it’s plateauing for others. The Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention reported that of the brand new estimated 34,800 circumstances in 2019, Black individuals have been main for brand new circumstances, with Black ladies and Black transgender ladies having the very best charges.
Through the night, Vance learn a letter on-stage from former President Barack Obama congratulating the Johnsons on the award that learn, partially: “They didn’t simply assist elevate analysis {dollars} or educate the general public. They moved us to suppose in a wholly new method a few situation affecting thousands and thousands of individuals around the globe – altering attitudes with the type of grace and encouragement that solely true leaders can show.”
“Magic’s pragmatic, optimistic method to his prognosis,” Vance continued, “ended up altering the best way the world noticed the illness.”
Co-chairs for this yr’s Elizabeth Taylor Ball to Finish AIDS included musician-model-actor and ETAF Ambassador Paris Jackson, in addition to entrepreneur-producer-ETAF buddy and longtime supporter Christine Chiu.
Thursday night time’s gala was sponsored by Gilead Sciences, Inc. and Diamond Sponsor Bulgari, and attendees bought to have an up-close have a look at unique objects from The Elizabeth Taylor Archive, together with highlights from Taylor’s private life, movie profession, and philanthropy.
TheGrio is FREE in your TV through Apple TV, Amazon Hearth, Roku, and Android TV. TheGrio’s Black Podcast Community is free too. Obtain theGrio cellular apps at this time! Hearken to ‘Writing Black’ with Maiysha Kai.
