ICYMI: Congresswoman Barbara Lee Wins Award at DIVAS Simply Singing! Raising Health Awareness Benefit Concert Powered by Gilead Sciences
Los Angeles, California – Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-12), Co-Chair of the Congressional HIV/AIDS Caucus, was recognized at the DIVAS Simply Singing! Raising Health Awareness benefit concert powered by Gilead Sciences.
The annual benefit concert, which is executive produced and hosted by Emmy Award-winning actress Sheryl Lee Ralph and The DIVA Foundation, helps raise awareness and funds for programs that promote the prevention of HIV/AIDS and other life-threatening health conditions.
Presenters include Cynthia Erivo, Sharon Stone, Niecy Nash, Brandee Evans and more. Performers include Jordin Sparks, Laverne Cox, Anthony Hamilton, Amber Riley, Wayne Brady, Tatyana Ali, Lisa Ann Walter, Dianne Reeves, Phylicia Mpasi, Saycon Sengbloh, Robin Thede, and Jessica Betts.
Tina Knowles was recognized at the benefit concert with The DIVA Foundation's Ivy Ralph Legend of Distinction Honor, while Congresswoman Barbara Lee was honored with the Legacy of Love Humanitarian Honor.
Congresswoman Lee played an integral role in establishing PEPFAR, the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, which is celebrating its 20-year anniversary. Congresswoman Lee, along with members of the Congressional Black Caucus, shared with President George W. Bush in 2003 how the Black community globally was being impacted by HIV/AIDS. They sent President Bush a letter, raised awareness on the issue with his administration, and the program was established in 2003. Since then, it has saved 25 million lives globally and is widely seen as one of the most successful public health programs in American history.
“It was a distinct honor to be awarded with the Legacy of Love Humanitarian honor at the DIVA Foundation’s raising health awareness benefit concert last week. My friend Sheryl Lee Ralph, The DIVA Foundation, and Gilead are doing incredible work to promote awareness around HIV/AIDS and it was incredibly awarding to be affiliated with this great event. I’d like to congratulate all the other awardees. I will continue being a partner in Congress to finally achieve an AIDS-free generation.”
To watch the awards special, click here.