A.       

Colorado Springs, CO - Nearly 50 years of leadership and vision, along with a commitment to positive social change, has led African Americans in Gerontology, Inc. (AAIG) to honor the 12 founders of Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc.

The recognition will headline AAIG's 3rd annual salute to elderly African-Americans: Reverence Day: Honoring Elderly African-Americans Day in America. The event was created by AAIG Co-founders Aisha C. Young and Kate Lane after they realized celebrations honoring elderly African-Americans were non-existent. 

The recognition event will coincide with Iota Phi Theta Fraternity’s National Conclave July 19-24, 2011 in Boston, MA.

"We believe the founding members of Iota Phi Theta created a relevant institution that continues to provide meaningful service to communities throughout the world," Young said. "We see the living legacy of these amazing men as the epitome of what Reverence Day is all about."

Founded at Morgan State University in 1963, Iota Phi Theta has quickly grown into one of the world's most relevant fraternities due to its social conscious and community focus. With over 30,000 members and 230 chapters, Iota has a positive presence on college campuses and communities across the country.

"We are honored for the recognition and pray we remain relevant as men and as an organization," said John Slade, one of Iota's founders. "What happens to many of us seasoned citizens, is we come to a point where we cease to be relevant ... and we step off life's stage early, unfulfilled and irrelevant."

The public is asked to wear amethyst ribbons to show reverence and honor all elderly African-Americans. “Honoring Iota's founders - while they're still alive - will hopefully inspire others to pay homage to all senior citizens,” AAIG Board Member Robert Merriweather said.  "I believe Reverence Day will inspire families and communities to value our elderly more and eventually celebrate them throughout the nation," he said.

African Americans in Gerontology (AAIG) is a national non-profit founded in 2009 to provide guidance and opportunities for professional development, networking and community activism for African-American students and professionals in gerontology. AAIG aims to improve the quality of life for elderly African-Americans.

In less than 50 years, Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc. has grown into a viable force within the African-American community. Founded during the height of the Civil Rights Movement on Sept. 19, 1963 at Morgan State University, Iota has quickly developed into one of the largest African-American fraternities in the world with over 30,000 members and 230 chapters. Iota’s influence and presence has led to its membership in the National Pan-Hellenic Council, a consortium of the world’s nine largest African-American fraternities and sororities. All Iota Men abide by the principles of Scholarship, Leadership, Citizenship, Fidelity and Brotherhood. Go to www.iotaphitheta.org to learn what fraternity is truly about.

Census Recognizes AAIG as a Critical Partner
For Immediate Release    
Colorado Springs, CO -

The United States Census Bureau has recognized African Americans In Gerontology (AAIG) for the organization's work on the 2010 Census. Director Dr. Robert Groves, Director of the US Census Bureau,  saluted AAIG saying, "Your help to achieve a complete and accurate census count have made a lasting impact on our nation."

African Americans In Gerontology worked with the US Census Bureau with identifying, engaging and counting elderly Americans, particularly African American elderly, in areas and communities where these groups are often under-counted. African Americans In Gerontology provided outreach, messaging and training support for the US Census in CO, and expects to continue and expand this support in years to come.

According to Aisha C. Young, President/CEO of AAIG, "As gerontologists, we concern ourselves with more than just the health dimensions of aging; we are involved (and need to remain engaged) in a much broader view of the aging process." Ms. Young has pioneered efforts to improve the quality of life for elderly African Americans; a groups she asserts "is often under-served, overlooked and marginalized." "We need to make sure the federal, state and local agencies and leadership understand and address the issues that impact the seasoned citizens of our communities."

African Americans in Gerontology (AAIG) is a national non-profit founded in 2009 to provide guidance and opportunities for professional development, networking and community activism for African-American students and professionals in gerontology. AAIG aims to improve the quality of life for elderly African-Americans.

According to Young, "Ours is a mission that supports quality service to and honoring of our elderly; Partnering with the 2010 Census ensured their voices were heard."

"African Americans In Gerontology was proud to observe its 2nd Annual Reverence Day: Honoring Elderly African Americans Day (TM) on August 1, 2010."

We wanted to remind you about an exciting opportunity to promote advance care planning in your community and state.  April 16, 2011 has been designated National Healthcare Decisions Day!  The National Healthcare Decisions Day Initiative, now in its fourthyear, is a collaborative effort of national, state, and community organizations committed to ensuring that all adults with decision-making capacity in the United States have the information and opportunity to communicate and document their healthcare decisions.  For more information, visit www.nationalhealthcaredecisionsday.org.

African Americans In Gerontology is proudly participating in this event along with a broad array of other organizations.  We hope that you will participate with us to raise awareness about these important issues across the country.  If you have not already done so, please sign up your organization by clicking here or at www.nationalhealthcaredecisionsday.org/maintopics/sign_up.  In its first three years, NHDD enjoyed participation by hundreds of national, state, and local organizations, and hundreds of thousands of people learned more about-and took action-on advance care planning.  Please help us ensure that African Americans In Gerontology is well represented at the local level on April 16, 2011.

Please know that you need not change what you are already doing to educate the public about advance healthcare decision-making and advance directives--instead, you are simply encouraged to make a "bigger splash" in your community/state regarding the topic on April 16, 2011.  To assist in this effort, a host of outreach materials and suggestions are available on the NHDD website at: "Organize Your Community." 

August 1, 2010 marks the Second Annual Observance of Reverence Day: Honoring Elderly African Americans Day™ in America.  The National celebration, organized by African Americans In Gerontology, Inc., (AAIG) is an effort to encourage families and communities throughout the country to recognize the lives and contributions of elderly African Americans; particularly those whose profound and significant life-stories often go unheralded.

"We believe recognizing our elderly for lives well-lived helps us all appreciate the relevant and enduring legacy they provide us; the latest generation are as valuable a resource as the newest generation,” says AAIG CEO Aisha C. Young. "Too many of our seasoned citizens reach “cut-off points” where they no longer feel valued, appreciated or viable! We are in the business of changing that, engaging their continual and relevant contributions to our society and working to improve their quality of life.”   Ms. Young will be featured on a nationally syndicated radio show at 9AM MST August 1. Please tune in live: www.1550kiva.com.

Reverence Day™ : Honoring Elderly African Americans Day was created by Aisha C. Young, M.A. and Kate Lane, M.A. As founders of AAIG, both noticed that there were no celebrations to honor African American elderly who have given to the community with their everyday contributions. Reverence Day, August 1, is an annual celebration. On this day, please wear amethyst ribbons to show reverence and honor our African American elderly. According to AAIG Board Member Robert Merriweather, "I believe Reverence Day™ will inspire families and communities to value our elderly more while becoming sensitive to the social, health and economic challenges they face on a daily basis!"

African Americans in Gerontology (AAIG) is a national non-profit organization designed to provide guidance and professional development opportunities, encourage networking, and promote community activism for African American professionals and students in the field of gerontology, in order to improve the quality of life for African American elderly.

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