In March of 2000, with the first International AIDS Conference to be held on the African continent approaching, a small group of Portlanders, seeking to address the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Africa, discovered that Portland had an African Sister-City: Mutare, Zimbabwe. Partnering with the Portland-Mutare Sister City, this group decided to hold a fundraiser with the goal of raising $20,000 to be delivered that June in support of grassroots AIDS efforts in rural Mutare.
Six weeks later, on May 1, 2000, a widespread and diverse cross-section of Portlanders attended a sold-out “Africa AIDS Response” fundraising event at the historic Crystal Ballroom in downtown Portland. Almost 1,000 people paid $20 each for an evening of entertainment, dance, and awareness of the AIDS epidemic in both Mutare and in Portland. The cost of the event was completely covered by generous sponsors so that every dollar coming through the door could go to Zimbabwe. Local vendors of African clothing, textiles, and art put their wares on display at the event, and donated a portion of their profits to the cause. Local organizations, such as the Portland Trail Blazers basketball team, donated items to be auctioned at the event.
Internationally renowned Master Drummer Obo Addy headlined the event with his band Kukrudu along with Balafon Marimba Ensemble, and the Northwest Afrikan American Ballet. State Representative Jo Ann Bowman was master of ceremonies for the evening. Portland City Commissioner Charlie Hales read Portland Mayor Vera Katz's proclamation designating the week as Africa AIDS Response Week. Thanks to many volunteers, who worked countless hours, with more than 65 local and national sponsors, the event was a great success and exceeded the fund-raising goal - raising more than $24,000, all in less than 90 days!
The money was successfully delivered in June 2000 (see the “Making of a Clinic”) and the Portland-Mutare Sister City relationship was rekindled. With encouragement from the community in Mutare, the original local Portland group and the Portland-Mutare Sister city Association formally incorporated as a non-profit organization and voted to officially create a program to provide ongoing support for grassroots AIDS efforts in Mutare.
Thus, Africa AIDS Response was born.