Get Involved » SLAM AIDS

The Global Youth Partnership for Africa (GYPA) has created a project called SLAM AIDS (Students Saving Lives with AIDS Medication). This project is designed to promote awareness of the HIV/AIDS pandemic and to raise funds to benefit Antiretroviral treatment of patients at the Kairos Medical Centre, located in Namuwongo, Uganda. This unique initiative utilizes the creative power of performance art and poetry to motivate young people to educate themselves and others about the Global AIDS pandemic and to increase awareness and understanding about Africa. The goal is also to mobilize them to reach out to those living with the disease, both at home and abroad.

SLAM AIDS was inspired by the idea that Poetry, Music and Dance are a common thread through out human Culture. They are used for group celebration, community ritual, and as a means of self-expression all over the world. GYPA recognizes performance art as a powerful tool for communication and a means by which to illicit human compassion across cultures.

SLAM AIDS began last spring with events in New York City, Washington DC, Philadelphia and Boston. The events featured such nationally acclaimed SLAM Poets as Will Power, Carlos Andreas Gomez, and Sonya Renee, Delrica Andrews and Celena Glenn.

This Fall, SLAM AIDS had its kickoff at Johns Hopkins University on October 8th, and raised over three thousand dollars! The next upcoming SLAM AIDS event in Philadelphia will host the area's most acclaimed spoken word and hip-hop artists, including Quiet Rage, Carlos Gomez, the Excelano Project, and Mayhem Poets. The event will also feature the exceptional acapella groups, the Inspiration and Off-the-Beat, as well as the electronic jams of Digical.

Contact: Susanna Klassel, Manager-SLAM AIDS
E-mail: susanna@gypafrica.org
Phone: 908-370-7429

Spring 2006 Tour Dates