Each year the Black LUV festival offers DC an antidote to the everyday dysfunction and malfunctions that living in DC often feels like. This whole day is dedicated to positive social change through community empowerment. And as always the festival has stepped up when the government has failed. By getting the word out to people that getting tested for HIV is something for everyone. 
You can see the signs that were posted in front of the stage declaring DC's abysmal HIV and AIDS statistics. Alongside this sign was one talking about the drop out rate in DC's schools. But the thing that is so apparent at this event is that the organizers are not satisfied to just throw up their hands in the face of such a dismal outlook. The organizers this year had 5 mobile testing units providing free rapid HIV tests and some offering diabetes and blood pressure tests as well. 
Although a rapid pace was set all day, from 4:30 to 7:00pm there were dozens of people waiting in line to get tested at all times. The government should be able to do this. There wasn't an artist that came to stage that didn't mention positive social change and empowerment, the MCs kept up a near constant patter about people getting tested.
The whole day was an empowering experience and I felt lucky to be a part of such a positive movement. And Geno gave such a powerful and inspired call to action I am sorry for anyone who didn't get a chance to be there.
The Mayor's office did honor the commitment of Kymone Freeman and the Black LUV committee which is well deserved. The last photo shows Kymone Freeman excepting a proclamation from the mayor's office declaring the day, Black LUV Festival Day.
