The Latino Commission on AIDS celebrated its 23rd annual Cielo Gala on Friday, June 1, at Cipriani Wall Street. During this event the Commission honored several leaders within the field of public health and inducted their new ambassadors to promote HIV and AIDS awareness, prevention, and access to treatment.
Actor J.W. Cortes, best known for his role as Detective Carlos Alvarez in “GOTHAM,” inducted singer and Love & Hip Hop: Miami star Amara La Negra, and Miss Universe 2018 Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters, as the newest “Madrinas” (Godmothers) of the organization.
“Not only am I now an activist for the Afro-Latino community, I am also an advocate for people who have been affected by HIV,” said Amara La Negra. “I will do everything in my power to make a difference.”
Jenna Ortega stated, “I’ve always said since the beginning of my career that I wanted to use my platform, no matter how big or small, for good. This is my first award ever and I don’t think I would want it any other way.”
Under the theme Designing a World Without AIDS, the Cielo Gala raised funds to create and promote HIV and AIDS service programs and initiatives aimed at increasing awareness, prevention, and treatment education, as well as building capacity among other organizations serving Hispanic/Latinx communities throughout the U.S. and its Territories.
This year, the Cielo Gala highlighted the work of the Commission’s Latinos in the Deep South program. The project launched in 2006 as a regional assessment to learn about the realities and health needs of the growing Hispanic/Latino communities in the southern United States, where new HIV infection rates have been the highest in the nation.
Oh, and of course I had to squeeze in a few glam moments of myself! Thanks Dior!
