PHOTOS: This MUST Be Michelle Obama's Favorite Dress
Officer Accused Of Michelle Obama Threat: It Was A Joke
b cool. b safe. b yourself.
It's become frighteningly ubiquitous. Once an afterthought for only a select group, HIV/AIDS and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) have permeated the lives of millions, changing the way we understand and inhabit this thing called life.
According to UNAIDS estimates, there are now 33.3 million people living with HIV, including 2.5 million children. During 2009, some 2.6 million people became newly infected with the virus and an estimated 1.8 million people died from AIDS.
In 2008, blacks/African Americans accounted for 52% of new HIV diagnoses and 48% of AIDS diagnoses. And, surprisingly, to many, almost one-fourth of all people with HIV/AIDS in this country are age 50 and older. (see more statistics here)
As a sexually active, same-race-dating African American, these startling statistics are a brutal reality that demand attention and a lifestyle shift.And it's not just HIV/AIDS. With one in five Americans walking around with genital herpes, and at least 80 percent of those infected completely unaware of their infection, operating in the oblivion of days past is a no-go.
While others have recognized and even digested this information, three brothers from Morehouse College have determined that taking care of their own households isn't enough -- they must influence the decision-making of others.
The brain-child of Jason Panda, Elkhair Balla and Ashanti Johnson, b condoms aspires to reduce deaths and suffering due to STIs by distributing an inherently sexy condom and reinvesting a portion of its profits to organizations across the country that support STI education and prevention in the most affected areas.
It all started when Panda's mother reminded him of what matters most. Exhausted from the corporate law grind, and seeking an opportunity to commit to something with a greater purpose, Panda recalls the vivid conversation with his mom that rejuvenated his passion for STI research and prevention. "You were most passionate working at the Teen Help Line. Why not start a condom company?"
After spending some time in Africa researching the HIV epidemic, Panda recognized the severe gap in education, funding and quality products.
It was a no-brainer. With the help of his Morehouse brothers Elkhair (a former investment banker and current leader of the nonprofit side of their company, b foundation) and Ashanti (armed with pharmaceutical sales experience), Panda knew success was inevitable.
A brand under their larger company, B. Holdings Group, b condoms embodies a three-pronged approach.
b condoms founders Jason Panda, Ashanti Johnson & Elkhair Balla
1. B Safe: Rest assured that their focus is quality. After visiting a variety of manufactures, b condoms decided on a top manufacturer ensuring FDA approval. "Our focus is quality; consider it condoms with a cause," says Balla. Be yourself and choose between their four styles: Ribbed, Classic, Thin or Large.
2. B Yourself: By reinvesting a proportion of earnings in their partner nonprofits and organizations, b condoms is encouraging the continued education and programming necessary to inform smarter decisions for those at risk.
3. B Cool: With a sexy product, targeted marketing campaigns and strategic messaging, they aim to shift the stigma of wearing a condom in the most affected communities. Through their strategic partnerships and programming with organizations like the Magic Johnson Foundation, it's their goal to make picking up a condom as habitual as brushing your teeth.
Their latest partnerships have launched somewhat of a meteoric rise, most recently partnering with Google, the Magic Johnson Foundation, Florida A&M University, Morehouse College, Howard University and Black Enterprise.
So what's next for b condoms? Look out for the upcoming launch of their 2.0 marketing campaign, managed by Wondaland Arts Society Program Director George Twopointoh.
Get involved with b condoms by joining their mailing list, inviting them to speak at your organization or sending them a potential partner organization. Oh, and of course, the next time you decide to get frisky, b smart, b cool and use b condoms.
Jovian Zayne is a writer, photographer and occasional radio host in New York City. Jovian also works with Janelle Monáe & The Wondaland Arts Society along with Teach for America. Read more from Jovian on Word Up Haay! and follow her on twitter @jovizi for laughs, encouragement and your daily dose of quick wit.
Comments: (16)
Add a comment
By: stdpal on 3/30/2011 3:41AM
I just saw on the news that according to a report from CDC, the number of gay people on the largest STD dating site psoitive-singles.org has reached 310,000. This site is powered by positivesingles and most of the gay people on it are sexy and good looking.
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: Pinky on 3/30/2011 8:18AM
b condoms is a great idea. Kudos to the guys who brainstormed this idea. Any and all steps taken towards reducing HIV/AIDS gets 2 thumbs up from me. And, Mr. Zayne, thank you for blogging about the b condoms. Thanks for posting the states as well. They're scary but scary is good when it brings positive change. Bravo!
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: acura2010 on 3/30/2011 9:33AM
So true. Don't put confidence in a "rubber band", it will break. Exercising self-control is possible.
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: Greg on 3/31/2011 5:33AM
Condoms don't, and never will reduce the continuing spread of HIV/AIDS in the black community....which by the way is at "EPDEMIC" proportions in the US today! And, it's also the number one killer of BW between the ages of 24 - 35. BW also are, and continue to be the "highest risk group" in the nation with 66% of all reported HIV/AIDS cases for women of all races! Two out of every three cases for women in the US today are black women! And, also BW have the highest statistics for STD's more again then all races of women in the US! Condoms again aren't going to help, because for one most BW aren't practicing safe sex! Some BM aren't either! So, the condom isn't the super solution it's people's behavior, and their attitudes! Which is why blacks have, and continue to have the highest numbers for HIV/AIDS...because we just don't want to change our behaviors, and are also in a perpetual state of denial!
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: DJ on 3/31/2011 1:13PM
While I agree condoms alone aren't the solution, I applaud these young men for using this platform to partner with all the non-profits and organizations that fight the spread of the disease on a daily basis. Everything I have read about these guys is amazing, they are using the sales of condoms to fund real change on the ground. And why is it we don't have a problem when Trojan and Durex profit and don't reinvest into our community, but are quick to jump on some socially enterprising members of our own community?
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: Greg on 3/31/2011 3:37PM
B cool, B safe, and B yourself? Oh, please! As, if anyone in their right mind is really going to change the attitudes and behaviors of black people in the black community from this marketing scheme?...lol This in my opinion also makes black people look as usual just plain childish, and immature! B cool?...lol We're talking about HIV/AIDS here, not the common cold! This isn't going to make any difference, because if knowing that HIV/AIDS is a 'death sentence" already, and people not being responsible on that level, what and how will being cool, being safe, or being yourself going to make any different? This is more black foolishness! This mind set shows, and continually shows why black people are responsible for 52% of all reported HIV/AIDS cases and only being 13% of the population! The problem continues to not be condoms it's black people themselves! Tell it like it really is!
Reply to this Comment | Report This