January 11, 2008
End of an Era
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Fraser-Howze leaves a lasting AIDS advocacy legacy |
That's how AIDS advocacy pioneer Debra Fraser-Howze describes her decision to step down as president/CEO of the National Black Leadership Commission on AIDS (NBLCA), which she founded in 1987, to become Vice President of Government and External affairs at oral HIV-test manufacturer Orasure .
Fraser-Howze will continue to act as a senior consultant to the NBLCA. Chairman of the NBLCA Board Rev. Dr. Calvin O. Butts III will oversee the organization until Fraser-Howze's replacement has been selected.
Fraser-Howze is widely respected in the AIDS community for her tireless work on behalf of the African American community, her ability to collaborate with other communities of color and church and government leaders, as well as for numerous legislative and funding initiatives she spearheaded on the national, New York State and New York City level.
"Debra has been a powerful voice in speaking out against the AIDS epidemic, and especially powerful in speaking up for African American women when there were few other voices doing so," said Housing Works president and CEO Charles King.
"Debra will be sorely missed," said Dennis deLeon, president of the Latino Commission on AIDS. "She is one of the most effective advocates I've ever worked with. She understands what's doable and what's not, when to get angry, when to play nice. She could articulate outrage but also the human side of HIV/AIDS in a way that policy makers rarely understand."
Remarkable accomplishments
Since founding the NBLCA, Fraser-Howze has helped bring about landmark legislation and secure billions of dollars aimed at fighting the AIDS epidemic among African Americans and other communities of color. She played a key role in the creation of the federal Minority AIDS Initiative, the New York State Minority HIV/AIDS Initiative, and New York City's Community of Color funding that allocated $2.5 million to city small AIDS organizations serving communities of color. Along the way Fraser-Howze served on the Presidential Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS (under Bill Clinton), the New York City AIDS Commission, and most recently, the New York State Public Health Council.
Fraser-Howze NBLCA colleagues say she achieved one of the highlights of her career just last October, when she put together the National Conclave on HIV/AIDS Policy for Black Clergy.
Tough act to follow
Fraser-Howze said she had been thinking about retiring since the tragic death of her son in 2004. At Orasure she will oversee initiatives to advance HIV testing, as well ones that address HPV and substance abuse. "Orasure do a lot of good work with the community and respect us. That was important to me," she said.
Filling Fraser-Howze's shoes at the NBLCA will be difficult. Besides her advocacy savvy and decades of experience, she is a uniquely gifted speaker. " She did a speech one year talking about how when African-Americans go to the Pearly Gates, they are going to have a special question asked of them: What have you done with your freedom?" said Deborah Levine, NBLCA's Vice President of Community Development. "That's something I've always thought about. Debra reminds us that we stand on the shoulders of those who stood before us. That sets the tone for what we do."
Who will stand on Fraser-Howze shoulders and helm NBLC next? We'll give Fraser-Howze the last word: " I know there are talks with finalists for my position that I am thrilled about. Stay tuned."