Platinum recording artists and critically acclaimed actors Ludacris and Jamie Foxx are stepping up to combat the growing HIV/AIDs problem in the Black community.
The pair has teamed up with the CDC for their “I Know” campaign, an effort that uses Facebook, Twitter, a new Web site, and text messages to break down barriers of silence on the disease.
Luda is starring in video messages about the problem while Jamie will make radio and video PSAs encouraging youth to get tested and break their silence.
CDC representative Robert Bailey gave HipHopWired a statement on “I Know” saying,
“The “I Know” effort is our new social media effort we’re using to spark conversation about HIV among African American young adults. We’re trying to encourage young African Americans age 18-24 to talk openly and often about HIV online and offline. Wherever you live, work, play, worship, learn, we’re hoping that “I Know” will allow these youth to connect where they talk and normally share information and take action. African American users are among the fastest growing groups in social media. “
The head of national partnerships in the CDC’s Division of HIV/AIDS prevention also says that The Ludacris Foundation is notorious for their work with the organization and that Jamie was eager to join in after hearing the statistics.
“We’ve been working with the Ludacris Foundation for a few years now. With Jamie he had a number of reasons for getting involved. For one, he has a young daughter and after hearing about the statistics he said that this was something he’d like to get involved in. This was an opportunity for us to be highly visible in engaging and using their voices to put the message out. Both of them have been engaged and concerned about the issue. “
For more information on the “I Know Campaign” and to see Ludacris and Jamie’s PSAs visit http://www.actagainstaids.org.
In between speaking on this serious subject matter with Jamie Foxx and the CDC, Ludacris still manages time to have some fun.
The highest-selling Southern hip-hop solo artist of all time made a recent appearance on “Live With Regis and Kelly” and performed his hit single “How Low.”
Co-host Kelly Ripa was in rare form and got down for Luda showing him just how low she could really go.
