Jay-Z Designs Athur Ashe Charity T-Shirt

According to a posting on POZ.com:

As part of his Rocawear clothing line, rap superstar Jay-Z has designed a T-shirt featuring late HIV-positive tennis great Arthur Ashe, to be sold for charity at the U.S. Open, The Associated Press (AP) reports.

The shirt commemorates the 40th anniversary of the USTA National Junior Tennis and Learning (NJTL) network, which Ashe founded in 1969. Proceeds from sales of the shirt will benefit the NJTL as well as the Arthur Ashe Endowment for the Defeat of AIDS.

Ashe’s widow, Jeanne Moutoussamy-Ashe, told the AP she is “thrilled that someone of Jay-Z’s stature would take part in this project.”

Ashe will be inducted in the U.S. Open Court of Champions on September 10. The U.S. Open takes place in New York City until September 13.

I realize this isn’t about a gay man, yet it is about a disease that affects the lives of so many, I felt it should be mentioned.  HIV/Aids is not an issue only the gay community suffers from, but so many others.  This is one of the most serious issues of our times.  Whatever we’ve been doing is obviously not enough.  I urge all of you not only to become educated about HIV/Aids, but do your part to help educate others, gay or straight, so that they in turn, can do the same thing.  Dialogue is key.  Start a conversation.

To learn more about HIV/Aids, visit TheBody.com and POZ.com