No words from me. Just an image. Enjoy.

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Today marks the 24th anniversary of World AIDS Day. Each one of us has the power to end the epidemic. Below are a few ways that you can educate yourselves while also contributing to the greater cause.

Educate:

• Have you been tested in the past six months? If not, today is as good as day as any to go find out your status. Visit this site to find a testing location near you.
• Join Alicia Keys, presidential adviser Valerie Jarrett, and Congresswoman Barbara Lee for a Twitter chat about AIDS in America at noon ET TODAY.
• Tonight, MTV will air “I’m Positive,” a documentary that follows the daily lives of three young people who are living with HIV. The hour long special airs at 7p ET/6p CT. Young people between the ages of 13 and 24 make up 24 percent of new HIV infections in the US.

Shop:

• Dance (Red) – Download this high-energy dance album produced by global DJ Tiesto. All proceeds from the sale of the album will be donated to the Global Fund.

• Starbucks – For every handcrafted beverage, Starbucks will donate five cents to The Global Fund. (It’s easy to scoff at five cents until you think about how many drinks Starbucks moves on a daily basis.)
• MAC Cosmetics – TODAY only, MAC will double the donation of your online Viva Glam purchase. View the collection here.

Serve:

• Identify community organizations in your area that provide HIV services and/or resources and get involved. That can be doing anything from passing out condoms, volunteering at a health fair, or even answering the phones at a clinic.

Today, I’ll be preparing lunch for women attending a support group at the Chicago Women’s AIDS Project before going to support my church’s Community Health Fair. Every action counts.

How will you honor World AIDS Day today and moving forward?

Last night, I had the time of my life at the AIDS Foundation of Chicago’s 11^th Annual “World of Chocolate” event. I’d heard all types of rave reviews from people who practically overdosed on cocoa goodness and KNEW that I was going to be in trouble.

While I felt like a winner, I also felt like a loser. There was so much chocolate in the place that I tapped out… EARLY. I only visited like 35% of the stations and seriously reconsidered my life’s purpose. Why didn’t I try more items? I suppose that there’s always next year.

So, what did I try? The short list is below…

• A bacon chocolate martini (YUM!)
• Mashed potatoes drizzled with chocolate (An interesting combo that kind of worked.)
• A date stuffed with Belgium dark chocolate and wrapped in bacon (I wasn’t ready for this one.)
• Chocolate covered pretzels
• Chocolate-covered grapes with Riesling (Omg. Delish.)
• Fudge truffles

But, when I tell you that they had all types of chocolate there, I really mean it. There were stations with salads drizzled in chocolate vinaigrette, cocoa chile wild boar sliders, chocolate shrimp and grits, and WAY more. Ah. SUCH a magical place and all for a fantastic cause! Funds raised through World of Chocolate support AFC’s grant-making, policy and public education programs. I will definitely return next year and this time I will be ready. Ready for the fun and ready for some wild cocoa treats.

What’s the craziest chocolate dish that you have ever tried?

Looking for some baubles to add to your arm candy collection? The lovely Rae of RLT Collections is hosting a sale on her website and you can snag some of her custom bracelets for an amazing price. The pieces are going fast so head over to the site for your fix. Below are a few that I think would look FAB on your arm.

Black and White Ceramic, $25

Kyanite, $23.50

Lava and Pewter Cross, $23.50

These beautiful bracelets help fund Rae’s tireless life work of educating others about the impact of HIV/AIDS. If you’ve never heard of her, then I suggest that you get familiar. Her unfiltered and real story is exactly what we need in this fight. You can learn more about this “Diva Living with AIDS” and her journey on her website.

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A couple of weeks ago, I looked up to the clouds and asked my mother this question. With the opening of one magazine, I’d experienced one of those full circle moments where everything just falls into place. Wondering what I’m talking about? See the picture below.

Yep, that’s Luvvie and I discussing the importance of getting tested for HIV/AIDS in the October issue of EBONY. “Get tested” is one of 100 tips, thoughts, and ideas designed to help Black women jump start their lives. Since we wrote the blurb and provided the picture, we obviously knew that we would be in this issue. But, there’s nothing like seeing it for yourself. When I opened that magazine and saw the words in print, I felt my life shift. I had just walked into my season. Many years ago, my Dad told me, “I think that God has already established your territory. You just need to know when to walk into your season.”

Well, I’m here. I’m in my new season and I hope that there are newsstands in heaven because I have a feeling that my Mommy will need to purchase many more magazines and newspapers in the future.

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While the ratio at some charitable events might lead one to think that only women are fabulous givers, I know for a fact that there are quite a few philanthropic gentlemen out there as well. One of them would be my pal, Reginald Cotton. He is one of the founders of the Charity Contributors of Chicago, a company “geared towards taking steps to make a way for people to enjoy helping other people.”

For his latest venture, he has launched a line of charitable clothing called “A Fly Cause.” At our Rock the Red fashion show in March, Reggie told us about his vision for the shirts and even gifted Luvvie and I with a couple of tees. Each line that he comes out with will support a specific cause and nonprofit organization. We’re so honored that he chose The Red Pump Project as his first beneficiary!

Karyn and Luvvie with Reginald Cotton (2nd from right)

I love the design of the tees and how soft they are. Plus, the little hint of red means that I can rock with my favorite pair of skinnies and any of my many pairs of red pumps. Click here to learn more about the collection and to purchase a shirt.

Thanks again to Reggie for the support and definitely keep up the fantastic work. To learn more about the Charity Contributors of Chicago, visit their website http://www.charitycontributors.com.

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This weekend, I’m heading to my second home (DC) for the XIX International AIDS Conference. This is the first time that the conference is being held in the US and over 25,000 people are expected to descend upon D.C. to attend. I will be there representing Red Pump and am looking at a pretty jam-packed three days. While I’ll probably wear my red peep-toe platforms to the receptions, I need a great pair of comfy red flats to wear while walking around. But, what pair of shoes should I buy?

These four options are in the lead right now. Which ones get your vote?

Decisions, decisions...

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Dining Out for Life is one of my favorite occasions because it gives me a reason to try new restaurants (or visit old standbys) and support HIV education and fundraising. Each year for the past couple of years, a group of friends has always planned a dinner at one of the supporting restaurants in town and tonight’s no different. My (play) brother is celebrating his birthday so we’re all getting together at one of my favorite pizza places for grub, laughter, and awareness. Also, each of us is contributing $10 to Edge Alliance, the organization that the Chicago Dine Out supports.  It’s definitely going to be a FUN time.

If you’re looking for a place to do dinner tonight, check out http://www.diningoutforlife.com for a list of participating restaurants in your city.

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No words from me. Just an image. Enjoy

-kb

No words from me. Just an image. Enjoy!

-kb