NEW YORK, June 22, 2011 -- On Friday, June 24th, BET Award winner and Grammy nominated artist Trey Songz will perform a special acoustic set at Lifebeat @ The BET Awards 2011 at Playhouse Hollywood. The event will be the first in a planned series of fundraisers to occur annually the Friday night before the BET Awards. Proceeds from the party will benefit Lifebeat: Music Fights HIV and the non-profit's HIV/AIDS prevention and support programs. The event is hosted by Stephen Hill, President of Programming, Music and Specials at BET Networks and Kevin Liles, Founder and Chairman of KWL Enterprises. The event is presented by BET, Lifebeat, AIDS Healthcare Foundation, KWL and Angels with Heart Foundation with sponsorship from AIDS Healthcare Foundation, AIDS Healthcare Pharmacy and radio partner KJLH Los Angeles. Since 1992, Lifebeat has been at the forefront of HIV/AIDS prevention and support through its Tour Outreach and Hearts & Voices program as well as awareness media campaigns and events.

"According to the CDC, at some point in their lifetimes, 1 in 16 black men will be diagnosed with HIV infection, as will 1 in 32 black women," said Ben Wymer, Executive Director of Lifebeat. "We applaud BET and Trey Songz for helping bring attention to this serious issue affecting the African-American community."

"HIV/AIDS is a huge threat to my culture and generation, so I will do anything in my power to help support those already affected and to prevent its spread. That is what this event is all about, and I am happy to lend my voice to the cause," said Trey Songz.

"My connection to Lifebeat is strong and personal as I lost my best friend to AIDS almost 25 years ago," said Hill, a longtime Lifebeat board member. "I am thrilled that this Lifebeat event is an official part of the BET Awards weekend and that BET and Trey Songz will help raise funds and awareness for the organization."

The event falls just three days before National HIV/AIDS Testing Day (June 27th) and is supported by BET Rap It Up. Rap It Upis BET Networks' Emmy-Award winning public education campaign to inform young people about sexual health issues, including HIV/AIDS and other sexually-transmitted diseases (STDs).

Lifebeat @ The BET Awards is an official BET Awards event and will take place Friday, June 24th, 2011 from 8PM to 11PM at Playhouse Hollywood (6506 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA). VIP tickets are $150 and include open bar and hors d'oeuvres. General admission tickets are $25. Advance tickets and more information are available at www.Lifebeat.org. Trey Songz will be performing a short acoustic set at the event.

SOURCE Lifebeat

RELATED LINKS
http://www.Lifebeat.org