ON THE FRONT LINE

As the community marks National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, Kevin Jackson works to inspire and teach

by Josef Molnar

Thirty-four-year-old Kevin Jackson is one of seven people featured in the new Faces of HIV awareness campaign sponsored by the Harris County Hospital District and the Houston Department of Health and Human Services.

The campaign is aimed at black men and women, whose infection rates are dramatically higher than those of other ethnic groups. The number of black people with HIV has risen to half of local HIV/AIDS cases, from one third of all cases a year ago.

Jackson's work in the health industry never prepared him for his own awakening in HIV/AIDS advocacy. He says admitting his health status to himself and others was difficult after he was diagnosed with HIV in 1997. His acceptance of his health status changed after he took a six-month PWA Coalition course, called the LEAP, or Learning, Empowerment, Advocacy and Participation.

"For four years I didn't want to talk about it," he says, "but it [the course] brought it out and helped me accept my HIV status."

Jackson has been a full-time advocate for a year now. "I write my own speeches and say what I want to say," he says. "And the main message I try to bring out in all my speeches is that no matter what kind of relationship you're in, you are responsible for protecting yourself.

"When you engage in risky behaviors, you are putting your life in their hands."

Jackson doesn't limit his work to the Faces of HIV project. He serves on different planning bodies in the Houston area and around the state, including the Ryan White Planning Council, and STAGE, or State of Texas Assembly Group East, where he works on HIV planning and prevention projects. He has also done HIV awareness work with Thomas Street Clinic, a clinic sponsored by the Harris County Hospital District. On February 7, Thomas Street will sponsor a day of activities to mark National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day.

Even though Jackson advocates for people with HIV, he remembers that his crusade is also a very personal experience. His schedule includes time off from his busy work life with bike rides through his neighborhood as well as time with his family and friends.

"Believe it or not, I sleep from time to time," he says with a laugh. "I advocate Monday through Friday, and on weekends I take a chill pill."

Josef Molnar has contributed to Houston Chronicle ThisWeek and Houston House & Home.

AT THOMAS STREET

Mayor Lee Brown and city council member Ada Edwards will speak during the National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day events at Thomas Street Clinic (2015 Thomas Street) on February 7, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. A number of HIV/AIDS survivors will also give their testimonies. More info: 713/873-4000. Check out www.blackaidsday.org for details on nationwide observances. For information about HIV testing and services available locally, call the new help line, 281/HIV-INFO.