Stopping the spread of HIV/AIDS among people of color must be a top priority. To achieve this goal, we must confront the issue head on in homes, churches, and communities and embrace this fight as one for social justice. Last year, the NAACP released our Black Church/HIV Manual to give pastors the tools needed to engage congregants in the battle against the AIDS epidemic. This year, we will continue to engage black churches on this issue with a multi-state tour.

We observe Black AIDS Day as a solemn reminder of the work that lay ahead. Too many have lost their lives for us to not act now. If we want to bring the total number of new HIV/AIDS cases down to zero, we’ll have to address HIV from a social justice perspective, with focus on awareness, education and advocacy, which lies at the core of the NAACP’s mission and vision in the fight for equal rights.

Her family’s early activism influenced her greatly. At New York University, Mildred Roxborough worked alongside Medgar Evers and traveled to Mississippi to help farmers who faced economic repercussions when they attempted to vote—these repercussions included being denied credit for their families. In 1955, Mrs. Roxborough organized parents in Mississippi to sign a petition to integrate the schools. One parent could neither read nor write but wanted better educational opportunities for their children. Mrs. Roxborough recalls helping the parent write their name to be included in the petition.

Currently, Mrs. Roxborough works for the New York NAACP providing support for the special contribution fund in the development department. We salute Mildred Roxborough and all the members of the NAACP who have made and continue to make history.

NAACP celebrates Black History Month with our annual Unsung Heroes campaign —tell us about someone in your family that led the charge for human and civil rights in your community. Every Wednesday in February is WIN Wednesday, where we feature a woman in the NAACP. Additionally, we’ll be featuring a prominent figure from history and their words on our social media networks—including Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Lastly, please text HISTORY to 62227 to join our NAACP mobile list and receive Black History Month facts, quotes and trivia once a day, during the month of February.

Rosa Parks was a catalyst in the Birmingham Bus Boycott and also led the investigation of the assault of Recy Taylor, a young sharecropper who was attacked by a group of white men in Abbeville, Alabama.

Today we remember her legacy and her role in achieving equality for all people.

For more black history month facts, text HISTORY to 62227 to receive black history facts, quotes, and trivia questions throughout the month of February.

President Jealous gave some remarks in celebration of Kerry Washington receiving this Award:

For the first time in 40 years, we have a black woman playing the leading role in a primetime drama on network television. Kerry Washington is a modern trailblazer. Her talent and will have taken her to heights we have not seen in years. She extends the tradition of women like Ruby Dee, Cicely Tyson, and Lena Horne. Rather than seeing her professional success as cause for political silence, she has chosen to use it as a platform for social change. Her championing of the rights of women around the world, and her early work to campaign for President Barack Obama are examples of her willingness to be a politically active and risk-taking woman in real life even as she plays one on TV.

Kerry Washington has gained growing success in her acting career, most recently with her roles in Django Unchained and ABC’s Scandal. Her involvement with President Obama’s re-election campaign has made her not only a power player in Hollywood but also a social and political activist within the community.

Washington is an active member of the V-Counsel, an esteemed group of advisors to V-Day, the global movement to end violence against women and girls, and serves on the board of Voices of a People’s History, a non-profit arts and education group. She also sits on the Artist’s Committee for the largest national advocacy association for the arts, Americans For The Arts. In 2008, Washington received several accolades including the Women’s Project Women of Achievement Award, the GWU Alumni Association’s Recent Alumni Achievement Award, and the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Phoenix Award, for Washington’s commitment to social advocacy. In 2009, Washington received the US Conference of Mayors Artist-Citizen Award for public leadership in the arts. That year she was also named a member of President Obama’s Committee for the Arts and Humanities, headed by First Lady Michelle Obama.

The 44th Annual Image Awards will air on Friday, February 1st at 8pm Eastern Time on NBC.

The Vice Admiral had this to say about her NAACP honor:

I am sincerely touched and honored that the NAACP would choose to recognize me with the Chairman’s Award. I have been privileged to serve with our nation’s sons and daughters who remain my greatest inspiration. NAACP Image Awards remind us that even when we can’t find role models who look like us, television and the movies allow us to dream and believe that anything is possible.

The prestigious Chairman’s Award has been given to the crème de la crème of presidents, entertainers and public servants—past awardees include then-Senator Barack Obama, former Vice President Al Gore and entertainer/activists Aretha Franklin, Bono, Tyler Perry and Danny Glover. NAACP Chairman Roslyn M. Brock will present this year’s award to the Vice Admiral during the live broadcast on NBC, Friday, February 1, 2013.

Chairman Brock had this to say about the designee of the award that recognizes “special achievement and distinguished public service:”

Vice Admiral Howard is an inspiration for me and women of color across our country. Her service and achievements as a top-ranking officer in the U.S. Navy have paved the way for girls and young women to know their dreams can become their reality.

NAACP Members can vote for Image Award nominees via the website—deadline for voting is January 23, 2013. Watch the live broadcast of the Image Awards on Friday, February 1 on NBC to see Vice Admiral Howard receive the Chairman’s Award as well as other awardees.

Her selection comes 50 years after the assassination of her husband, Medgar Evers–who was gunned downed by a white supremacist in the driveway of their Mississippi home. He was the first Field Secretary of the NAACP. Evers-Williams went on to become the founder of the Medgar Evers Institute in Jackson, Mississippi.

Evers-Williams shares her sentiments on this historical moment:

I am humbled to have been asked to deliver the invocation for the 57th inauguration of the President of the United States—especially in light of this historical time in America when we will celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Civil Rights Movement. It is indeed an exhilarating experience to have the distinct honor of representing that era.

Roslyn M. Brock, Chairman of the National Board of Directors, commends the President:

Myrlie Evers-Williams embodies the essence of the civil rights movement and the struggle toward the more perfect union our Constitution envisions. We are thrilled she has received this honor and applaud President Obama for his inspirational selection.

President and CEO, Benjamin Todd Jealous affirms the magnitude of this moment for history and current civil rights movement:

Myrlie Evers-Williams is a heroine. She represents the best qualities of the American people and the transformative possibilities of American democracy. Her selection for this sacred task will serve as a reminder to our nation that civil rights must remain at the forefront of our society.

Currently, Evers-WIlliams serves as a Distinguished Scholar-in-Residence at Alcorn State University.

The inauguration of the 44th President of the United States will be held January 21 in Washington, DC. This is also the national observance of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday.

The Financial Advocacy and Community Tour (F.A.C.T.) and the Region IV NAACP Diversity Job Fair will be held in Minneapolis, Minnesota on January 21, 2013 at the Minneapolis Convention Center from 9am-3pm. The job fair will have employers from across Minneapolis and beyond as well as the Office of Veteran’s Affairs and VetJobs.com–who will be actively, recruiting for opportunities for Veterans in the area will be present at the job fair. Click here for further details.

At F.A.C.T., come gain access to hands-on expertise through financial planners, HUD certified counselors, representatives from financial institutions and non-profit economic advocacy organizations. The tour provides valuable information to individuals and families and raises awareness around the facts about racial economic inequality, today’s structural economic challenges, repairing credit, job training, increasing and maintaining homeownership and building wealth.

This year marks the second year of the FACT tours. The inaugural year was a tremendous success as our tour exposed over a thousand NAACP members and the community to valuable resources needed to address economic challenges that may be directly or indirectly affecting their community, family or themselves. Check out our Facebook page for photos from past Financial Advocacy and Community Tours!

We look forward to seeing you at the NAACP Diversity Job Fair and FACT! Start off this new year by equipping yourself with economic empowerment opportunities and taking these resources back to your community!