WHO WE ARE

The mission of the LET'S TALK, LET'S TEST FOUNDATION (LTLTF) is to raise the level of awareness regarding the devastating impact of HIV/AIDS on the African-American community. After becoming aware of the startling statistics in the African-American community, LTLTF recognized that something had to be done about this plague.

In 1982, when the term HIV/AIDS was first used, it was spoken of only as a gay, white, male disease. Twenty-two years later, it is African-Americans who are on the brink of disaster, and it is our contention that it is as a result of the lack of awareness and testing.

LTLTF was established by State Representative Constance A. "Connie" Howard of the 34th District of Illinois. The need for the organization grew out of an effort initiated in 2002 under the umbrella of the LET'S TALK, LET'S TEST "365 days of Mobilizing Our Community," HIV/AIDS Awareness Campaign.

Initially, the purpose of this collaborative effort of elected officials, government agencies, businesses, and faith-based and community service organizations was to provide information regarding the need to be regularly tested for and educated about HIV. However, it soon became apparent that the major problem in fighting this plague is the lack of funding and technical assistance for community service providers. It was for this reason that LTLTF came into being.

Our greatest achievement occurred in 2004 with the establishment of the HIV/AIDS policy and research institute at Chicago State University.