Actor Jason Ritter discusses his philanthropic passion, the loss of loved ones, and awakening in Africa by Dann Dulin I’m in awe of Jason Ritter. But not for the reason you might think. It’s not because he’s starring in the popular TV thriller, The Event, nor because he’s the son of Hollywood royalty (the late John Ritter was his father and Tex Ritter, his grandfather), or even because of his wholesome good looks. I’m in awe of Jason because of his compassion for others. In [...]

A New Parent, Comedian And Actor Alec Mapa Teaches A&U’s Dann Dulin About The Art Of Giving, How To Comfort Yourself Through Life’s Lows, And Reveals A Solution To Lower HIV Infection Rates In The Younger Gay Community “I’m like horseshit. I’m all over the place,” declares a playful Alec Mapa when pressed to comment on his constant involvement with charitable causes. For the past decade or more, Alec has been a regular participant at numerous fundraisers for gay causes or for AIDS charities. And [...]

Singer Kelly Price Tirelessly Motivates Others in the Fight Against HIV/AIDS & Breast Cancer by Sean Black Chart-topping R&B recording artist Kelly Price is poised for the May 3rd launch of her sixth solo album, Kelly, while her second single release “Not My Daddy,” a silky smooth duet featuring the perfectly-paired vocals of Mint Condition’s Stokley Williams seizes a Top 10 adult R&B radio spot. All indicators suggest that the double-platinum songstress is back where she belongs—climbing up the charts. Baring her soul in conversation, [...]

Keir Gilchrist, Marshall On Showtime’s United States Of Tara, Has A Yen To Keep His Brothers Safe by Dann Dulin In Episode 9 on the second season of United States of Tara, a TV series created by Diablo Cody that follows a suburban housewife who suffers from dissociative identity disorder, and her family: Marshall is called into the principal’s office along with his friend, Lionel. PRINCIPAL: As [AIDS] is still a clear and present danger, the county AIDS awareness program has given the school ten [...]

#1 National best-selling author, accomplished litigator, judge, and star of the two-time Emmy-nominated tv show bearing her name, Judge Glenda Hatchett dares us to take charge of our lives and to wake up to the devastations and far-reaching implications of HIV by Sean Black It was a little crazy around here,” Judge Glenda Hatchett says, referring to recent ice storms in her hometown of Atlanta. “We were really at a deficit for a while, but we’re back up and functioning.” Nearing the end of a [...]

Singer/Songwriter Eric Hutchinson Opens Up About Performing for AIDS Charities, Rescuing America’s Beaches, and Putting the Finishing Touches on His New Album by Chip Alfred You may not know his name, but chances are you’ve heard his music, and it probably made you smile. Up-and-coming recording artist Eric Hutchinson, who just turned thirty, has been paying his dues playing clubs across America for nearly a decade. “There were a lot of years of struggle,” he says, before his first full-length album, Sounds Like This, started [...]

With a stellar turn in For Colored Girls and a highly anticipated book coming out in early 2011, the multitalented Janet Jackson takes a breather to talk about getting a handle on the pandemic by Dann Dulin, with Chael Needle As part of a rainbow of characters in Tyler Perry’s new movie For Colored Girls, Janet Jackson wears red. It’s a familiar color for her. Her wardrobe has included AIDS awareness ribbons for decades now. “Sadness, deep, deep heartbreak…and hope,” Janet responds when asked what [...]

Jack Mackenroth—Designer, Swimmer, AIDS Advocate—Continues to Bring His Positive Message Out into the Open by Angela Leroux-Lindsey Jack Mackenroth, the designer, smiles big when I ask him about swimming. We’re meeting for the first time in an office tower in Chelsea, and I recognize him instantly from Season 4 of Project Runway. “I’ve been a competitive swimmer since I was six,” he says, his bright blue eyes keen and expressive. “I have a really hectic life, and swimming is an escape. It’s an hour-and-a-half a [...]

Actor Regina King’s first name in latin means queen and she certainly lives up to that moniker when it comes to educating others about HIV by Dann Dulin Taking an HIV test in public? Whaaat? Many people won’t take the test in a medical office let alone having their mouths swabbed in front of strangers! But in 2007 that’s just what Regina King did to urge others to get tested in the Test 1 Million campaign sponsored by the Black AIDS Institute. “If I only [...]

Lupe Ontiveros talks about Latino homophobia, AIDS and Making It as an Uncommon Beauty by Larry Buhl Lupe Ontiveros is spoiling me. We’re having lunch in a sushi restaurant in Whittier, California, and she keeps ordering more exotic rolls I’ve never heard of. I tell her I’m stuffed, plus I’m taking notes and making sure the recorder is working. I’m more interested in getting the story right. She’s more interested in having a full experience. We’re near her home, only thirty miles from the usual star [...]