The INFO Project Blog

The staff at the Center for Communication Programs (CCP) was fortunate enough to screen the documentary HIV Positive Voices: An Inside Look at the AIDS Epidemic in Baltimore in observance of World Aids Day 2007. The documentary, produced by CCP in association with Stuart Productions, explores the stories of four individuals in Baltimore living with HIV. The Baltimore metropolitan area currently has the second highest rate of new AIDS diagnoses in the country.

The viewer experiences the touching story of Rickeena, a 15 year-old teenager who contracted HIV perinatally from her mother and who educates others in her community about HIV and AIDS. Then we meet David, who contracted HIV through injection drug use and who started a clean lifestyle after being released from prison for crimes committed.

Later in the film, Kimberly Smolen tells viewers that she was infected with HIV from a college boyfriend and discovered her HIV status after donating blood. She had been a marathon runner but then fell into a destructive period in her life consisting of drug addiction and homelessness.

Finally the audience encounters Keith, a young adult who was infected with HIV after his uncle raped him as a teenager.

After viewing the film I was speechless. Although many of us at CCP work on issues related to the global spread of HIV/AIDS we often lose site that the problem is present within our own neighborhoods. It is not surprising that the film has won numerous accolades, including a regional Emmy award for Outstanding Documentary as well as an award for Best Documentary at the 2004 New York AIDS Film Festival.

After viewing the film, the audience was able to listen to Kimberly Smolen share her story. Kimberly served as inspiration to us all as she talked about her struggle with HIV/AIDS. Kimberly truly is a positive voice as she reminded us that there is no obstacle too big to overcome. She reinforced how important it is for young people to be educated regarding HIV prevention.

Click to listen to a portion of Kim’s testimony about living with HIV.

Posted by Seth