Actor and HIV/AIDS activist Blair Underwood was on hand Thursday for the dedication of the new AIDS Healthcare Foundation Clinic that bears his name.
“To have the highest rate of HIV and AIDS, it’s almost embarrassing that that’s even happening in our nation’s capital,” he said.
Underwood has been an HIV/AIDS activist for almost 25 years. He recently appeared on several billboards in Los Angeles, along with the slogan “Man up.”
“People ask me ‘Why did you even get involved in this?’ ” Underwood said. “[My parents] raised us to understand that to whom much is given, much is expected. It’s biblical. I’ve been given a lot and great is expected of me, and I take that seriously.”
Also in attendance was Rep. John Lewis, D-Ga., who spoke about how “HIV/AIDS does not discriminate,” and President Obama’s AIDS czar Mark Dybul, who stood quietly against a wall throughout the entire event.
Also in town Thursday: Legendary Aerosmith guitarist Joe Perry (below), who came to Capitol Hill as part of the “Rock Stars of Science” event to promote medical research. Earlier in the day, Perry met with Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., who posted on Twitter, “I had a great meeting with Joe Perry and his wife Billie — and will never forget their support during the campaign!”
Speaking of music, funk master George Clinton and old school rapper Kool Moe Dee were the guests of honor Thursday night at thehome of Democratic strategist Julian Epstein. The event supported the MusicFIRST Coalition, which seeks to provide royalties to artists when their music is played on the radio.
-Additional reporting by Julia Fruchtl
Photos: Top Julia Fruchtl, bottom Mark Wilkins
