'The Qube' Launches New Podcast Series Raising Awareness for Black HIV/AIDS Day

Series Chronicles History & Impact of HIV/AIDS on the Black Community in the South

CHICAGO, January 30, 2023 - In recognition of Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, February 7, 'The Qube' (https://theqube.app/), a new streaming platform of music and podcasts produced by Black, Brown (BIPOC) and Queer and Trans People of Color (QTPOC) creatives, is releasing a special podcast series titled "Black HIV in the South: How Did We Get Here?," a four part series that chronicles the history, impact and current state of the HIV/AIDS epidemic within the Black community in the southern United States. Debuting February 7th, the podcast series is the first limited series released by the new platform.

Co-hosted by Anna DeShawn and Duane Cramer the series takes a deep dive into the complicated historical intertwinings of how systemic racism, economics and culture within the healthcare system contributed to the nearly 52 percent of new infection rates of Black people living in impoverished communities, particularly in the Bible Belt. More than forty years after the HIV/AIDS epidemic became widely known, in 2021, there were 38.4 million people living with HIV globally (source: UNAIDS), demonstrating that there is still work to be done in awareness and prevention methods. As told through in-depth interviews and personal stories of people living with the virus and those affected, the series features experts and activists working to combat the epidemic and provide information and resources for those affected, showing a modern, refreshed approach.

"HIV/AIDS awareness is such an important topic in our community, which is one reason I'm proud to bring this series to listeners everywhere," said Anna DeShawn, CEO & co-founder of The Qube. "We are on a mission to uplift and share multi-dimensional experiences and voices through captivating story-telling, news and entertainment, and spotlighting the issues that are most important to Black, Brown and Queer and Trans People of Color (QTPOC). 'Black HIV in the South: How Did We Get Here?' will do just that, and I hope that people everywhere can listen with an open heart and mind and join us in our continued fight to reduce stigma and increase education, awareness and prevention."

The "Black HIV in the South: How Did We Get Here?" trailer is available now on The Qube's website and the four-part series debuts in its entirety on February 7. For more information, please visit https://theqube.app/.

ABOUT THE QUBE:

The Qube is a new podcast production company and streaming platform of music and podcasts produced by and for Black, Brown and Queer and Trans People of Color (QTPOC) creatives. It is the brainchild of creator and founder Anna DeShawn, who recognized the need for more diverse, intersectional expression from on-air talent and more inclusive and representative creatives behind the scenes.