Posted by Al Mccray - Tampa Bay Online

Published: December 08, 2009

On November 16, 2009 the Tampa chapter of The National Black Leadership Commission on AIDS (NBLCA) held a conference. The Reverend Dr. W. James Favorite serves as Chairperson of the Tampa chapter. The National organization’s President / CEO, Ms. C. Virginia Fields was the keynote speaker. She flew in from New York to attend.

For his outstanding contributions and continued Dynamic leadership on the subject of AID / HIV awareness, treatment and education, Rose Ferlita, of the Hillsborough Commission presented a proclamation to Pastor Dr. W. James Favorite.

Pastor Favorite says, “I have been preaching about AIDS and HIV for more than four years. I have been teaching about the dangers since I was made aware of the epidemiology and the high risk to A/A regarding this disease. My church has a health ministry that consistently offers information on the subject and annually we offer testing opportunities. The goal of the Black Leadership Commission on AIDS is to educate individuals and to provide opportunities for them to be tested so that they will know their status. The primary spread of AIDS and HIV has to do with the fact that it is being proliferated by people who do not know that they are HIV positive. The role of the Pastor on Patrol has been to get more Churches involved. The defeat of this disease will be the result of the involvement of the Black Church.”

Rose Ferlita, County Commissioner says , “I have been a pharmacist for more than 40 years.  Since part of my specialty practice was in the area of HIV care, I am well aware of the epidemic we face.  Although we are focusing on the high number of HIV cases in our African/American population, it is essential that ALL members of our community help to win the war against HIV/AIDS. As a Hillsborough County Commissioner, I recognize the need to be very engaged in legislative support to combat this epidemic in our community. I am pleased to show leadership so that my colleagues, at all levels of government, will join with us in this fight against HIV and AIDS.”

The National Black Leadership Commission on AIDS was founded in 1987. Its mission is to inform, coordinate and organize the volunteer efforts of its indigenous Black leadership, including clergy, elected officials, medical practitioners, business professionals, social policy experts, and the media to meet the challenge of AIDS / HIV in their local communities.
It is the oldest nonprofit organization of this type in the United States.

Since its conception The NBLCA has raised over $1,000, 000, 000 (one billion dollars) and has served thousands of organizations and institutions through community development, technical assistance, and formulation of public policy.

The NBLCA serves as the chief consultant on AIDS / HIV on public health related issues concerning the communities of African descendants.

The Tampa chapter has strategic plans developed by five program committees. The programs are; 1. Ecumenical, (Chair Rev. Mel Harris, Asst Pastor Beulah Baptist Institutional Church) 2. Medical, (Chair Dr. Francisco Fernandez, M.D) 3. Legislative & Public policy, (Chair Mac MacDowell, President/CEO of Human Resources Consultants Performance) 4. Media and Public Affairs, (Chair Dr. Ann Favorite, Owner Ann Boutique) and 5. Fund Development, (Chair Ms. Brenda Grove, President of ENABLE Business Development Inst).

Here in Tampa, the chapter main objective is: to educate, organize, and to empower the African American Leadership in advocacy to address the AIDS / HIV epidemic in the African American community.

This conference put the spotlight on the staggering AIDS / HIV fatal statistics that’s ravaging The African American and other Minority communities.

Some of these horrific facts are:
1. The rate of AIDS is 2.97 times higher in Black males than in White males,
2. The rate of HIV is 3.48 times higher in Black females than in White females,
3. The rate of AIDS is 10.89 times higher in Black females than White females,
4. The rate of HIV is 12.42 times higher in Black females than White females,
5. Blacks make up 15% of the population in Florida but represents 54% of AID cases,
6. It’s rumored that Africa Americans make up 70% of the tested cases on AIDS / HIV cases in the state’s prison.

Since 1995 Pastor Favorite has been The Sheppard at Beulah Baptist Institutional Church.  For many years he has provided a dynamic and powerful voice from the pulpit and everywhere else he travels about AIDS / HIV awareness and prevention. He has promoted this subject aggressively among his countless clergy associates, to the schools, and to the public policy makers.

Born in Vacherie, Louisiana, Pastor Favorite attended Southern University in Baton Rouge, where he earned both a Bachelor’s and Master’s of Science Degree in Health, Physical Education and Social Studies.  Reverend Favorite also holds a Bachelor of Arts in Religion and a Masters of Divinity in Theology from Virginia Seminary and College of Lynchburg, Virginia.  In December 1990, he received an Honorary Doctor of Divinity Degree from the Maryland Theological Seminary and College for his outstanding work in the ministry and in June 1995 he earned the Doctor of Ministry Degree from Maryland Theological Seminary.

Pastor Favorite, Beulah Baptist Institutional Church and the Pastors on Patrol have taken the lead in AID / HIV awareness in our community.

Pastor Favorite keeps the AID / HIV subject matter at the forefront in public policy matters. It’s hard to speak to him without him bringing up the subject of AID / HIV awareness. It’s his primary concern as he preaches and educate in our community.

Don’t be surprised if you are in casual conversation with him, he could all of a sudden ask you, “Have you been tested?” Just be prepared!

In attendance at the completely filled conference were many politicians, law enforcement staff, educators, State officials, doctors, citizens, preachers, and of course I was there.

Doug Holt, Hillsborough County Health Department Director,

(L-R) State Rep. Betty Reed, President / CEO, Ms. C. Virginia Fields , State Senator Arthenia Joyner, Pastor Favorite

The conference was quite educational and informative.