Mary Bowman Arts In Activism Award

The National AIDS Memorial has announced Isabel Fatima (Ima) Diawara of Los Angeles as the first recipient of the Mary Bowman Arts in Activism Award. The newly created & inspiring program is funded through a multi-year grant from ViiV Healthcare & offers support to artist-activists who are working & committed to making a difference in the fight against HIV/AIDS. John Cunningham, Executive Director of the National AIDS Memorial stated, “We are honored that Ima has been chosen as the first recipient of this award. Her passion & work exemplifies the same pioneering spirit of Mary Bowman that uses art & activism to raise greater awareness about bigotry, stigma & social justice, particularly around the issue of HIV/AIDS.” The Mary Bowman Arts in Activism Award honors the life of Mary Bowman born with HIV who lived out her experiences of growing up & living with HIV & losing a mother to AIDS. Through her art the poet, advocate, author & singer she passed away in early 2019 at the age of 30. The award is funded through a multi-year grant from ViiV Healthcare & supports one young arts activist 27 years of age or younger, selected annually, to receive a $5,000 award. Marc Meachem, Head External Affairs North America ViiV Healthcare concluded, “This award supports young artists & activists like Ima who exemplify Mary Bowman’s passion for the arts, as the vehicle for their own HIV/AIDS community work & expression. Like Mary Bowman, Ima is using her own creativity to have a powerful impact in the community through honest conversations about issues that matter through art, expression & culture.” Applications for 2021 Award are now being accepted for social justice program funded through the support of ViiV Healthcare. For More Info...