Dance for Life is a project of Artists and Activists for Health Equity, a collective of artists and activists raising awareness and resources to help confront global public health issues like HIV/AIDS and COVID-19.

Artists play a unique role in how we view the world and how we act or react to events and issues that impact our lives. Artists and Activists for Health Equity partners with artists, activists, and “artivists” to raise and amplify artistic and creative voices in order to bring the power of art of all kinds to the fight for health equity in our society.

Conceived by Phill Wilson and Desmond Richardson, and with the enthusiastic blessings and support of Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, Artists and Activists for Health Equity has launched what we hope to become an annual dance festival to benefit the fight against HIV/AIDS, COVID-19 and other health issues confronting Black and other people of color in Los Angeles. This new dance festival draws its inspiration from the annual Fire Island Dance Festival which, since 1995, has raised more than $300 million to support essential services for people living with HIV. While we aspire to grow to a three-day festival, our inaugural event will be a one-day event with matinee and evening performances. It takes place at the Nate Holden Performing Arts Center in Los Angeles on Saturday, June 24, 2023, followed by a VIP reception with the dancers and major donors.

The story of AIDS in Black and other people of color communities has been one of disparities and neglect. Although AIDS was erroneously depicted in the 1980s as a disease only affecting white gay men, the reality is that Black people have been disproportionately affected by HIV since the epidemic’s very beginning. We get infected at a higher rate, get sicker, and die faster than other racial or ethnic groups. Black Americans account for 13% of the U.S. population, but for 42% of new HIV infections.

But while disparities and neglect are real when it comes to the fight against AIDS in Black communities, it is more tragic that the pattern has continued with the COVID-19 pandemic. But the story of HIV/AIDS and Black people and the story of COVID-19 and Black people is actually a story of resilience and solidarity. It is the story of countless, amazing examples of Black perseverance, survival, and heroism–making a way out of no way.

In the role of the titular character in Hamilton, Lin-Manuel Miranda asks, “Who lives, who dies, who tells your story?” Dance for Life aims to tell and celebrate the story of our people stepping forward even when we were told this was not our problem. It is a story of fighting without resources or a roadmap. It is a story about building places to care for the living and the dying, designing prevention and care programs for, about, and by our people that reflect the cultural and socio-economic lived experiences of our people. It is the story of artists creating beautiful, timeless, and eternal art. It is the story of not ever giving up, even in the face of unfathomable death and dying. Most importantly, it is the story of thriving and dancing for life even though we were never meant to survive.

Artists and Activists for Health Equity is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization. Contributions are tax-deductible to the extent that the law allows. EIN: 92-2838334.