Empowered: Alicia Keys on Launching Empowered

Empowered, a campaign of Greater Than HIV, highlights the power of all women - as mothers, daughters, sisters, friends, partners and people living with HIV - to change the course of this disease through everyday actions. Learn more at http://greaterthan.org/empowered Greater Than HIV is a leading public information response to the U.S. domestic HIV / AIDS epidemic. To learn more, visit: http://greaterthan.org. Facebook:   / greaterthanhiv   YouTube:    / @greaterthanhiv   Twitter:   / greaterthanhiv   Instagram:   / greaterthanhiv   TRANSCRIPT: Alicia Keys: Hi, I’m Alicia Keys. 2013 was an exciting year for me in so many ways. One of the most important was launching the Empowered campaign with Greater Than AIDS to focus attention on women and HIV. AK at press event: It’s definitely time that women see HIV as our issue and embrace our power to change the course of this epidemic. And that is why I’m so crazy, ridiculously fired up about introducing you to Empowered. It all started with a conversation I had with five extraordinary women living with HIV right here in America. AK: What does it mean to be Empowered? Stephanie: It’s that word freedom. Eva: I get my empowerment from breaking barriers other people said couldn’t be broken. Stephanie: You can share your status and have nothing to hide Eva: That’s right. They not only inspired me … but also reached women all over the country with their stories of strength and resilience. Eva on video: Nobody’s going to take care of your life like you. AK: We took the Empowered message to policy makers in Washington to make sure women’s voices are heard on this issue. Valerie Jarrett: Everyone in this room, everyone who’s watching from the live stream, everyone around the globe can play a role Barbara Lee: You’re empowering us. Because I can tell you one thing, when I go back to capitol hill later on, I’m going to beat the drum even louder. AK: We visited clinics in DC and met women who are taking control of their health and their lives. We were at the Essence Music Festival in New Orleans providing free HIV testing. And, we came to Harlem, a place close to my heart, to take part in a community conversation about stigma and affecting change that drew a standing-room only crowd because no matter who you are or what you do, HIV is an issue that affects us all. AK at Harlem Event: I was realizing, maybe there’s not enough conversation happening right here in America ABC News: As cameras were rolling, she took a test—a rapid HIV test to reignite the conversation here in America. AK: Our campaign is helping to bring messages of hope and strength to communities across the country. DJ: Alicia Keys is in the building, of course we’re talking Empowered AK: Whether HIV positive or negative, we are all Empowered in this fight. Through social media, we've used our voices to bring attention to the impact on women. AK: Go to Greater Than AIDS on Facebook so we can break the silence, start the dialogue, and tell me how you are Empowered to make a difference And, together with AIDS United, we made grants to advance innovative, community-level efforts focused on women and HIV. Vignetta Charles: To be able to partner with this extraordinary group to have investments for organizations on the ground who know their communities best I think is a critical element. AK: I am so proud of all we have accomplished in just one year. There is so much more to do and so much more to come...so join with me and let's keep empowering each other. Let's get this done...I know we can.