Press Release

Sheryl Lee Ralph Visits Namibia With Important HIV/AIDS Message

American singer, Hollywood film and television star Sheryl Lee Ralph - known for her portrayal of Dee in the hit series Moesha, for her creation of the role of Deena Jones in the original Broadway production of the musical “Dreamgirls,” and for roles in “Barbershop” and “To Sleep with Anger”- visited Namibia from April 6-10.

Ms. Ralph, who founded the Diva Foundation to empower women, raise HIV/AIDS awareness, and erase stigma attached to HIV/AIDS, performed her one-woman show “Sometimes I Cry” in Windhoek on April 8 and 9. The show, written and performed by Ms. Ralph, was inspired by the real life stories of women infected and affected by HIV/AIDS. Ms. Ralph becomes each character breathing life into them and their stories by exploring through word and song just how each woman copes with her new HIV/AIDS reality.

Ms. Ralph performed her powerful and inspiring “Sometimes I Cry” for the public at the Warehouse Theater in Windhoek on April 8 at 18H30 for 19H00, and at Windhoek High School on April 9 at 18H00 for 18H30.

Ms. Ralph came to Windhoek after launching a new initiative, “A Sister’s Circle,” in Cape Town, South Africa from March 30th to April 6th. This unprecedented goodwill summit for HIV/AIDS infected and affected women and girls brought together women and girls from South Africa and the United States, to grapple with the most pressing challenges facing African and American women in the HIV/AIDS epidemic and examine its unique effect on women. The summit recognized the critical role that women and girls can and must play in their own health and well-being.

In Namibia, Ms. Ralph also met with health professionals, government, NGO and women leaders, visited HIV/AIDS community-based and faith-based organizations, met with journalists, and held a workshop for University of Namibia (UNAM) choir members.

A description of the show and biographical information about Ms. Ralph may be found at www.sometimesicry.org.

For more information, please contact Public Affairs Officer, Ray Castillo, at 0811280816, or Information Assistant, Roger Lyners, at 229-801 [ext. 226].