Press Release - January 24th, 2011

Aid for AIDS of Nevada has appointed Derek Washington as the New Media and Diversity Outreach Consultant. Washington’s chief responsibilities include development of new media strategies and creating new programs that better serve the African-American and Latino communities in Nevada. In addition, he will spearhead AFAN’s new Community Gardens project that will educate the public about personal health and HIV/AIDS prevention.

“We are proud to welcome Derek Washington to the AFAN family,” said Executive Director Jennifer Morss.  “His unyielding devotion to the community and eagerness to make a difference makes him a tremendous asset to our organization.”

Prior to joining AFAN, Washington was a producer for a Los Angeles television fashion segments. In 2006, he was diagnosed with HIV and now dedicates his life to community activism and politics surrounding the disease. Washington was a national delegate for Hillary Clinton in 2008 and former director of LGBT outreach for the Clark County Democratic Black Caucus.

Currently, Washington is the chairman of Nevada’s largest LGBT political organization, Stonewall Democrats of Southern Nevada. He recently was honored for his work on the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” with an invitation to the historic ceremony in Washington, D.C., where President Barack Obama signed the repeal. Washington continues to make a difference in the Las Vegas community and hopes to continue AFAN’s mission of enhancing the physical health and psychosocial wellness of the individuals they serve, while promoting dignity and improving the quality of their lives.

About AFAN

Aid for AIDS of Nevada (AFAN) was founded in 1984 and is the oldest and largest AIDS service organization in the state of Nevada. 2009 marked AFAN’s 25th anniversary of practicing its unyielding commitment to the community by providing unparalleled health expertise, support and advocacy for adults and children living with and affected by HIV/AIDS in southern Nevada. Over the years, AFAN has created various programs that offer consistent and comprehensive assistance including direct client service programs, food programs, prevention and education programs and community outreach.  For more information, please visit www.afanlv.org.