International pop legend Janet Jack- son set the stage ablaze with a high-energy, full-length performance, captivating a sold-out audience at the AIDS Healthcare Foundation’s (AHF) World AIDS Day Concert held at the NRG Arena in Houston, Texas last night. Launching into the evening with her 1997 anthem “Together Again,” Jackson paid homage to friends and fans affected by HIV/AIDS, sparking an evening of remembrance and solidarity.

The event, touted as the largest World AIDS Day commemoration in the U.S., drew a constellation of celebrities and high-profile advocates, including Willie D of the Geto Boys, BeatKing, Yungstar, Steve Rogers, Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, and Ben Crump, solidifying the night’s status as a nexus of entertainment and activism.

Marking World AIDS Day, the event paid tribute to those lost to the epidemic, celebrated survivors, and amplified the ongoing battle against HIV/AIDS. Proceeds from the night contribute to AHF’s efforts to increase awareness and support for individuals living with HIV/AIDS.

The evening reached an emotional zenith as Debbie Allen graced the stage, delivering an In Memoriam tribute that left the audience spellbound and standing in ovation, honoring the memory of her “boys from Fame” and countless others. AHF’s presentation of its Lifetime Achievement Award to Blair Underwood further galvanized attendees, recognizing his unwavering commitment to HIV/AIDS advocacy for over 30 years.

AHF President Michael Weinstein addressed the global challenges faced in combating HIV/AIDS, exacerbated by the recent pandemic and other global crises. He reiterated AHF’s mission to refocus attention on the HIV/

AIDS cause, urging global leaders to commit the necessary resources and political resolve to continue the fight.

With nearly 30 million of the 39 million individuals living with HIV worldwide receiving treatment, the mission persists. AHF is on track to extend care to two million individuals by early 2024, marking a significant milestone in the ongoing struggle against HIV/AIDS.

For more information, visit www.AidsHealth.org www.HoustonLGBTChamber.com