By: Lidia Evita, Staff Writer for World Liberty TV

CIELO is the fundraising gala of the The Latino Commission on AIDS. After more than 35 years of facing HIV & AIDS, medical advances have succeeded greatly, yet much work remains to be done in underserved communities.

Cielo raises funds to the initiatives and operations of the Latino Commission on AIDS. Each year, the gala convenes members of the health, business, government, entertainment, and philanthropic sectors, including individual’s donors who have the common interest of advancing the health of the Latino community.

Past Cielo Galas have highlighted the amazing work of various Latino Commission on AIDS programs, such as our OASIS.

Latino LGBTS Wellness Center, where we work to build a community of support for all Latino LGBTS in NYC, and our Latinos in the South program, which builds local leadership, develops coalitions, enhances knowledge and cultural competency, and spurs actions to advocate for our communities in the southern US states.

2020 has been filled with many challenges, but through it all the Latino Commission on AIDS has worked tirelessly to raise our voices and continue to serve our communities.

We are immensely grateful that despite these challenges we were able to bring Cielo to a virtual platform, giving a wider audience a small taste of the event’s entertainment, fashion, honorees and most importantly our message to design a world without AIDS.

The Latino Commission on AIDS is a nonprofit organization dedicated to addressing the spread of HIV & AIDS in the Latino community.

In response to the critical, unmet need for HIV prevention and care for Latinos, a coalition of Latino leaders founded the agency in 1990.

The Commission is dedicated to resolving the HIV crisis in the Latino community, where social stigma, poverty, language barriers, immigration status fears, and access to care, deter testing and increase the infection rate and through its extensive network works to mobilize an effective Latino community response to the health crisis created by HIV & AIDS.

The Commission’s public health model encompasses five core and complementary services, provided in English and Spanish by a culturally diverse bilingual staff of health, education and business professionals across more than 40 State and Puerto Rico.

Health Education, HIV Prevention, Capacity Building Assistance, Advocacy and Awareness and Hispanic Health Behavioral Research.

See exclusive interview with Guillermo Chacon, President of Latin Aids Commission, who spoke in detail about Latin Aids Commission’s work during COVID-19, Monkey Pox, and hurricane disasters in Puerto-Rico.

The Latin Aids Commission on Aids, celebrated its 32^nd Anniversary at its annual Cielo Gala at Cipriani Wall St in New York City, on Friday November 14^th 2022.

The following were honored: Xavier Becerra, who is the first Latino to serve as U.S. Secretary of Health and Human services (HHS), with the Esperenza Award. Oscar Hernandez ,Pianist and Musical Director of Spanish Harlem Orchestra with the Companero Award.The Southern Aids Coalition with the Fuerza (Strength) Award. Steven Vargas ,HIV Advocate ,accepted the Dennis deLeon Voz de Compromiso(Voice of Commitment Award).Miss Universe Harnaaz Sandhu and Johnny Cruz, Founder , Spanish Harlem Salsa Museum were inducted as the newest Madrina and Padrino ,respectively , of the Commission.

The Emcee was Alfredo Galvan, morning show host 93.1 Amor’s La Bodega. Grammy – winning Spanish Harlem Orchestra led by Oscar Hernandez provided live entertainment during the event. Acclaimed DJ Missy B, played tracks into the night.

Little over 300 people were in attendance enjoying and supporting a great cause. See more about The Latin Aids Commission Cielo 32^nd Annual Gala in our World Liberty TV, Latin Channels and Blogs by clicking here.