Piedmont Park was ablaze with red Sunday May 4th when a group of children from the Charlie’s Port theater ensemble took AIDS awareness into their own hands, forming the first annual “Human AIDS Ribbon.”

There are about 33 million people living with AIDS right now and about 15 million children orphaned because of AIDS. The numbers are shocking and the reality for those affected by this pandemic is even worse.

The event was led by FSA 6th-grader Shannon Roux, and is inspired by the courage of her young cousin in South Africa who is currently living with HIV, and the millions of children around the world who have been affected by AIDS.

“If people won’t talk about HIV/AIDS, it is very difficult for those who are sick to ask for the help they need,” says Shannon.

Mayor Shirley Franklin congratulated the children on the initiative they took in arranging this event.

“This was an important experience for the children,” said Charlie’s Port Founder and Director, Prodan Dimov.

Charlie’s Port is the professional children’s ensemble at Metropolis Port, a theater company in residence at the Woodruff Art Center's 14th Street Playhouse. The children participate in professional projects that allow them to grow as actors and as people, and ensure that they are heard by the world around them. They are committed to “gently changing the world.”