Campaign Purpose
The purpose of this campaign is to unite communities across the nation. To build individuals up, strengthen the weak and challenge the wise. The concepts are practical occurrences in everyday life. The models and participants alike are your neighbors, teachers, coaches, siblings, etc. We cast and shoot individuals local to the communities to show it is very possible to make a difference by simply being you.
We're on the journey of Change, JOIN US.
I am both honored and humbled to be apart of this campaign. I think the severity and the awareness of HIV is something that needs to constantly be reinforced to the masses. It hasn't gone away and just because it isn't always mentioned, it doesn't mean that it's waning off. The photo campaign is something that reflects everyday situations that every adult either has faced or continues to experience in their lives. Some of the models used in the campaign are "real" people, not professional models, which further reinforces that HIV can happen to "the beautiful" and the "average" person. While we are all apart of the human race, HIV is a disease that continues to plague us, physically, mentally, emotionally and so on. There's no separation. It shows that it can happen to anyone and it will happen to everyone if we don't "wrap ourselves in knowledge" and being cognizant of our situations.
-Joel "JP" Patton
"Ode 2 Change" is such an important movement and cause, especially in the Baltimore and DC areas where the HIV rate is at an all-time high. I was honored to be included as a part of the team- all of the participants and creators who came up with such profound and creative ideas for getting the message across. Everyone involved is so talented and I will continue to support the cause in any way that I can.
-Kim Reyes
Makeup Artist/Body Painter
www.kimreyesmakeup.com
