AHF to host free show at L.A. Forum hosted by entertainer Randy Rainbow with performances by stars Hudson, Aguilera and students at the Debbie Allen Dance Academy

Sen. Bernie Sanders to be honored with AHF’s Lifetime Achievement Award via video presentation

AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF), the world’s largest HIV/AIDS care provider and currently operating in 45 countries, is once again holding a special free concert event to commemorate World AIDS Day, formally observed internationally each year on December 1st. This year also marks two significant milestones in the decades-long fight against HIV and AIDS: first, for the first recognition by the CDC of the virus that led to what is now known as AIDS (40 years ago, in June 1981), and second, the launch of AHF (35 years ago, June 1986).

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Christina Aguilera and Jennifer Hudson headline AHF's free World AIDS Day concert at The Forum in Los Angeles (Inglewood) on Wednesday, December 1, 2021. (Graphic: Business Wire)

In Los Angeles, AHF will host its 2021 World AIDS Day Concert on Wednesday, December 1st featuring renowned artists, OSCAR^Ⓡ and multi-GRAMMY^Ⓡ winner Jennifer Hudson and multi-GRAMMY^Ⓡ winner Christina Aguilera performing live, and multi-EMMY^Ⓡ nominated comedian and internet sensation Randy Rainbow hosting the evening. Taking place at The Forum, located at 3900 W Manchester Blvd. in Inglewood (90305), the concert will be produced with longtime AHF partner, multi-EMMY^Ⓡ and TONY^Ⓡ winner Debbie Allen, and also feature a performance by young students from her Debbie Allen Dance Academy (DADA).

At the event, U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders (I, VT) will be honored with AHF’s Lifetime Achievement Award, which will be accepted via special video presentation. Under its “Keep the Promise!” banner, AHF will also acknowledge progress made in the global fight against HIV and AIDS and continue to raise awareness about “The Other Pandemic” as a reminder of the significant work still to be done on HIV/AIDS.

“The effects of the AIDS epidemic are very personal for me, as I had many friends and loved ones who passed away from this deadly virus. World AIDS Day allows me to celebrate those lives lost and commemorate their various contributions not only to our personal relationships but also to film, television, dance, and more,” said Debbie Allen. “Having a longstanding partnership with AIDS Healthcare Foundation is a prime example of how community should support and uplift one another. It is crucial for us to understand that this fight is far from over. Forty years ago, AIDS was first recognized by the CDC, and 40 years later we have lost millions of lives. I'm committed to continue to do my part in bringing awareness to HIV/AIDS, and I encourage you to do the same."

As the world continues to navigate the deadly global COVID-19 pandemic, AHF is taking a moment to note that this year also marks forty years since the first cases of AIDS—‘the other pandemic’—were first reported. To date, 33 million have died of AIDS and more than 38 million people worldwide today are thought to be living with HIV, according to the CDC.

“World AIDS Day provides an opportunity for us to mourn and mark this somber forty-year milestone,” said Michael Weinstein, president of AHF. “However, 2021 also marks the thirty-fifth anniversary of what has become today’s AHF. From providing compassionate AIDS hospice care in those darkest early days to growing to become the largest global AIDS organization today, now providing lifesaving care and treatment to more than 1.6 million people around the globe. As we mark and mourn, we also celebrate all those who help make today’s AHF possible: our staff, Board, affiliate organizations and affinity groups, friends, family and wonderful community partners like Debbie Allen, but most of all, our clients and patients—with our 2021 World AIDS Day event. We are excited to present what we expect to be knockout performances by Christina Aguilera, Jennifer Hudson, students from Debbie Allen’s Dance Academy and honoring Senator Bernie Sanders, among others.”

AHF Raises Funds for the Debbie Allen Dance Academy:

AHF’s 2021 World AIDS Day concert will also serve as a benefit for the Debbie Allen Dance Academy (DADA). AHF set a goal of raising $250,000 for DADA, and is well on its way, with $85,000 toward that amount already raised with generous donations from Wells Fargo ($25K), City National Bank ($25K), Goldman Sachs ($25K) and the Brotherhood Crusade ($10K). Donations to AHF’s World AIDS Day Debbie Allen Dance Academy fund can be made via the DADA website donation link.

Prior AHF World AIDS Day Concerts:

This will be the fifth World AIDS Day concert event that AHF has recently hosted to raise HIV/AIDS awareness. No concert took place last year (2020) due to the coronavirus pandemic. Other prior events and performers include:

• 2019: A Dallas World AIDS Day concert featuring Diana Ross, Teyana Taylor and Keke Wyatt. (AHF also hosted smaller events in Florida and Atlanta, as well as a Los Angeles event at the Wilshire Ebell Theatre featuring Billy Porter, Faith Evans and Daya).
• 2018: “Icons of Dance,” A New York gala at the historic Apollo Theater in which AHF honored Debbie Allen with its Lifetime Achievement Award.
• 2017: A Los Angeles concert at the Shrine Auditorium featuring Mariah Carey, DJ Khaled, Ne-Yo, hosted by Laverne Cox and Mario Lopez.
• 2016: A Los Angeles concert event at Hollywood’s Dolby Theater featuring Patti LaBelle, Common and others and honoring legendary entertainer Harry Belafonte with AHF’s Lifetime Achievement Award.

An empowering evening of entertainment and advocacy, AHF will hold its World AIDS Day commemoration 2021 Concert at The Forum, featuring performances from Jennifer Hudson and Christina Aguilera, hosted by Randy Rainbow.

About AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF): AHF is a global nonprofit organization providing cutting-edge medicine and advocacy to over 1.6 million people in 45 countries worldwide. We are currently the largest provider of HIV/AIDS medical care in the world. To learn more about AHF, please visit our website: www.aidshealth.org, find us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/aidshealth and follow us on Twitter: @aidshealthcare and Instagram: @aidshealthcare.

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As the world continues to navigate COVID-19, AHF notes that this year also marks 40-years since the first cases of AIDS—‘the other pandemic’—were first reported. To date, 33M have died of AIDS and more than 38M worldwide today are living with HIV.