HAPPY DECEMBER!

Observe World AIDS Day (December 1) by Knowing Your Status! Celebrate the Season Safely! Be Sensible About What's on Your Plate and in Your Glass! Be Mindful of Your Spending! Give Gifts of Your Time and Talent! Remember Your 2011 Resolutions! Take Time to Catch up on Your Intentions! End the Year with Grace! Remember What is Most Important to You!

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Charming Family & Friends Fun Night

Out of school and on vacation with nothing to do....

Well come out and have some fun with C.H.A.R.M.

Lynwood Skating Rink

2030 Glenwood Dyer Rd

708-474-5900

December 30th 6pm-9pm

Tickets are $10 in advance AND $12 at the door

Purchase 10 tickets and receive a $10 DISCOUNT

ALL PROCEEDS TO BENEFIT THE 2012 SCHOLARSHIP FUND

http://mycharm.org/Family_Fun_Night.html

BEING POSITIVE ABOUT AIDS

December 1 is World AIDS Day and activists around the world are reminding us to get tested and to always be aware of our status. Despite more than twenty years of HIV/AIDS awareness activism, there is still a harsh stigma associated with the disease that attacks the immune system of those stricken. Being HIV positive is no longer a death sentence and it hasn't been for a long time. HIV / AIDS can be very successfully managed with consistent treatment. Getting tested can be a scary prospect, but not getting tested can be deadly. Starting this month, pledge to: 1 - Know your status; 2 - Avoid infection (or infecting others) by carefully and consistently using prophylactic protection, using clean needles, and knowing your status / Manage your illness with consistent treatment and an optimistic attitude; 3 - Advocate making the treatment of AIDS more affordable; 4 - Treat people with HIV / AIDS like people; 5 - Discuss your status (and theirs) with your partners; 6 - Encourage your friends and family to know their status and to take care of themselves; 7 - Spread Awareness / Spread Love / Spread Optimism / Spread Life!!

AAHU WANTS YOU

The Black AIDS Institute is accepting applications for its flagship training and capacity building program, the African American HIV University (AAHU) Community Mobilization College (CMC) 2012 class. Aimed at strengthening organizational and individual capacity to address the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Black communities, AAHU CMC is a comprehensive training and internship fellowship program. The program is designed to decrease stigma and misperception and increase the engagement of the Black community in HIV prevention, advocacy and treatment services. By the end of AAHU CMC, organizations and their Fellows will be stewards of a living, breathing mobilization campaign which they have visualized, cultivated, and shepherded.

Founded in May of 1999, the Black AIDS Institute is the only national HIV/AIDS think tank focused exclusively on Black people. The Institute's Mission is to stop the AIDS pandemic in Black communities by engaging and mobilizing Black institutions and individuals in efforts to confront HIV. The Institute interprets public and private sector HIV policies, conducts trainings, offers technical assistance, disseminates information and provides advocacy mobilization. To enroll in the African American HIV University (AAHU) Community Mobilization College (CMC) 2012 class, download the application, instructions, program overview and FAQ’s online at www.BlackAIDS.org.

http://www.dancetheatreofharlem.org/

WALKER GETS AWARD

Booz Allen engineering and operations consultant Lavern Adams Walker (center) was among the 2011 recipients of the "Women of

Color in Technology Award." This is a national award that recognizes and honors the exceptional achievements of distinguished women of color in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics. The award winners are women of color who are role models,

have attained high levels of responsibilities, and are paving the way and making a true difference in the field of technology. The awards were bestowed during the 2011 National Women of Color STEM Conference, held in Dallas, Texas, November 3-5, 2011.

TBAAL GETS T'KEYAH STARTED

When Curtis King invited T'Keyah Crystal Keymáh to be part of The Black Academy of Art & Letters (TBAAL)'s 2011-2012 season, she was honored and inspired. She was honored to finally have the chance to perform at such an important theatrical institution. She was inspired because the show King invited her to perform was not yet written. "I'd spoken to Mr. King last year and mentioned a couple of ideas I had for new shows. He called me back later and said he wanted to book "Don't Get Me Started" for this season. I told him I still hadn't written it, but he assured me that I'd get it done in time." Keymáh had been contemplating the show for several years, but other projects kept it on the back burner. "There were so many issues that I wanted to put in the show that choosing which to include was a challenge." As is her custom, the versatile actress uses comedy, characters and music to lambast, lament and lampoon a great number of issues including poverty, corporate greed, the prison industrial complex, healthcare, the plight of teachers, and more. The November 11 and 12 shows were a big hit and King and Keymáh are now discussing a tour. To book the show, email booktkeyah at tkeyah.com.

Interview with Martone Williams

FUND FHENAMENAL MUSIC!

Soulfully poetic singing sensation Fhena is among the many artists of various disciplines going online for help fundraising. In the six years since her debut CD, beauty from ashez, the sister has performed throughout the US, in Antigua, Ghana and Israel. Now she'd like your help completing her sophomore project. "I make music to heal. I make music to inspire. I make music to refresh. I make music to make you happy. These songs are bursting out of me. The gift I am giving myself is to use live musicians on EVERY song...no tracks at all. So now, it is up to us to take this journey together.

I promise you that when I pick you up at the beginning of the CD, I will take you on a ride that elevates your spirit and expands your mind all the while having a whole lot of fun! It is time!" Songs for the project include "In the Wind," "There Is a Better Way," "Our Dance," "Wonderful," and "Gotta Get Home." The creative team includes Ron Harmony, Al Ross of Soul Sound Studios, Myron Carroll, Reginald Prince, Keite Young and perhaps a few words and notes with T'Keyah Crystal Keymáh! The funds raised will cover all aspects of the CD's production. Check out Fhena and her Kickstarter campaign at http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/fhena/fhenas-anticipated-sophomore-recording. Each donation comes with a gift, so you give and you get, while helping to bring healing music into the world!

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Vincent E. Walker Photography

(Chicagoland Photography / Videography)

312-719-6830

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Natural Woman / Natural Hair

Autographed copies available now at www.tkeyah.com

KUDOS KUDOS KUDOS KUDOS

Congratulations: to filmmaker Producer Nekisa Cooper, Director Dee Rees, DP Bradford Young and the Cast of Pariah - Adepero Oduye, Kim Wayans, Pernell Walker, Aasha Davis, Sahra Mellesse, and Charles Parnell; and to Raven~Symone for reprising her hilarious performance in Debbie Allen's Hot Chocolate Nutcracker: - go on girl woman!

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The Crystal News acknowledges the passing of Marguerite Casanova, Robert Champion, Dwight Arrington "Heavy D" Myers, Ruth E. Wilson, and C. A. Winfrey.