Satia Orange, former director of the ALA Office for Literacy and Outreach Services, wrote this morning to say that former librarian Khafre K. Abif is planning to "Cycle for Freedom" by taking a 2,028-mile bike trip from the Gulf of Mexico to Canada, embarking June 27. Abif says his goal is "to raise awareness about the seriousness of HIV/AIDS in black communities in the U.S. by retracing the historic path of those who fled slavery and those that provided shelter" on what became known as the Underground Railroad.
Abif says the ride is also intended to make a statement about the bravery of the thousands of African Americans living with HIV. You can follow the bike tour route online.
Abif, who has been living with HIV for over 20 years, left librarianship to become an activist in the fight against HIV/AIDS. He is partnering with Test One Million, a campaign to test one million black Americans for HIV/AIDS. Test One Million is a program of the Black AIDS Institute, an African-American think tank seeking solutions for the HIV/AIDS scourge in African-American communities. Black Americans account for more HIV/AIDS cases, people estimated to be living with HIV/AIDS, and HIV-related deaths than any other racial or ethnic group in the U.S. "The community needs to get this dialogue going. The ride is meant to get people to wake up to what is happening!” he says.
Partnering with HIV/AIDS service organizations in Alabama, Mississippi, Tennessee, Kentucky, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, and Canada, Cycle for Freedom will promote HIV/AIDS testing in black communities along the route throughout the 70-day ride. In addition to Test One Million, project sponsors include Adventure Cycling, New Voices Pittsburgh, and OneLife, a provider of HIV/AIDS testing, education, prevention, and counseling.
Information about how to donate or become a program sponsor is posted on the website.
