About the Author

Dale Anthony, New York Long Island AIDS Ambassador, is committed to assuring that everyone infected and affected by the AIDS pandemic is enabled through access to resources and empowered through education to win the war against this deadly disease. He is the founder and chief executive officer of Tough Talk Media, Inc., and The Dale House Resource Center, that opened on April 26, 2003.
Diagnosed in 1990, Dale has been “Sounding the Trumpet” since 1994, bringing attention, resources, and compassion to those living with and dying from the AIDS virus. He achieves this goal with the message of faith, hope and charity that he has taken across the nation.  Dale has personally touched the lives of almost one million people in 16 states via workshops, presentations and goodwill tours.  He developed a Behavior Modification Skills curriculum that is used in many school systems, a Peer Education Group for At-Risk Youth in Long Island, and initiated and developed the Symposium on Stress Management with Dr. E. Bolden of North Carolina University.
In 1995, this industrious and courageous advocate launched Tough Talk Media, Inc. to further his AIDS prevention education and outreach efforts and to increase his influence in building support and compassion for those already infected. Tough Talk, a cable television program, Tough Talk Latino, a bilingual cable program, and Tough Talk II, a radio show done in collaboration with Healing Our Land Ministry provide an “astounding wake up call.”  These programs focus on removing the stigma, shame, and ignorance associated with the virus and fosters the development and implementation of effective, efficient and compassionate strategies that empower people to win.
The year 2000 marked the released of the documentary “A Look Through My Eyes” that chronicles the remarkable story of his personal battle with HIV / AIDS infection. Humanizing the experience of living with AIDS, the film retraces the early days of his diagnosis: depression, secrecy, denial, treatment, prejudice and ridicule and his decision to Live with dignity rather than die with shame. In it we see his miraculous rise from obscurity into the national spotlight through his personal public declaration of his HIV status and his entrance into the political arena of advocacy on behalf of those infected and affected by this devastating illness.
Dale created the Bill Of Hope, a Declaration of Commitment to the humanity of all infected and affected by HIV / AIDS and has addressed the United Nations.  He spearheaded a humanitarian relief effort in Latin America and the Caribbean and he was invited to conduct the closing event at the global launching of the Black Churches Week of Prayer for the Healing of AIDS.  Addressing heads of state and other dignitaries from over 70 countries, he encouraged their understanding of the moral obligation and responsibility we all share to foster understanding and compassion for all humanity and empowered these world leaders to “Sound the Trumpet” in their own nations.


Dale Anthony Edmonston recently recieved Honorary Doctrine of Humanity and was nominated for membership on President Bush’s Advisory Council on AIDS.  He also was appointed to The Center For Disease Control and United States Office of Health Human Services HIV Counsel as well as serving on numerous local, state boards .


“If the trumpet doesn’t sound clearly, then the people won’t know what to do!” I Corinthians 14:8


Since answering the call to “Sound the Trumpet” in 1994, Dale has touched the lives of almost one million people locally, nationally and internationally.  Highlights of his achievements include:

  1.     Named the “AIDS Ambassador: The Voice of the AIDS community of Long Island” by NEWS 12 Long Island
  2.     Visited the White House, meeting with Vice President Al Gore and AIDS Czar, Sandy Thurman
  3.     Nominated for President George W. Bush’s Advisory Council on AIDS, formally received an honorary membership to President Clinton’s Advisory Council on AIDS
  4.     Addressed over 70 Heads of State at the launching of the Balm of Gilead Global Symposium for the Black Churches Week of Prayer for the Healing of AIDS
  5.     Address the United Nations, where he introduced his “Bill Of Hope: A Declaration of Commitment to the humanity of all those infected and affected by AIDS and appealing for world-wide compassion for people living with AIDS globally
  6.     Organized a broad-based local effort to Declare a State of Emergency on Long Island that enjoyed national participation and resulted in a presentation by Dale Anthony to President George W. Bush, received a commendation from Mrs. Coretta Scott King for this effort
  7.     Recognized by Reverend Bernice King (daughter of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr,) as an African American Hero
  8.     Appeared on B.E.T. Talk with Tavis Smiley and on “Our Voices” with Bev Smith
  9.     Received a Lifetime Humanitarian Award from the Long Island division of the N.A.A.C.P.
  10.     Was invited to a special meeting of community leaders held by Minister Louis Farrakan of the Nation of Islam to implement plans for alternative strategies to combat the HIV/AIDS epidemic 
  11.     Received a letter of commendation from the Vice President and Counselor General of San Michael El Salvador in recognition for his humanitarian Relief effort on behalf of those infected in that country 
  12.     Launched Tough Talk Media, a unique approach to HIV/AIDS prevention education, which was the only weekly broadcast specifically dedicated to HIV/AIDS in the nation; its first half hour program aired on LI’s cablevision in 1995.
  13.     Is the subject of a documentary film, “A Look Through My Eyes” that chronicles his personal journey to “live with dignity” since his diagnosis in 1990
  14.     Opened the Dale House Resource Center, a unique AIDS Service Organization that is designed to ensure that people infected and affected with HIV/AIDS gain access to care and support in an efficient, effective and compassionate manner
  15.     Addressed the Church of God in Christ’s national, state, and local conventions, the Eastern Baptist New York State convention, the African Methodists Episcopal national, state and local conventions and has presented to many local congregations of all denominations and faiths
  16.     Was a featured speaker at the 1997 National World AIDS Day at the Multicultural AIDS Coalition in Boston, MA
  17.     Developed unique outreach strategies for HIV/AIDS prevention and education such as the first Sing-A-Song for AIDS Gospel Benefit held annually, featuring local and major gospel recording artists, the first Hip-Hop for AIDS concert, an annual prevention and education event that features top industry performers, Pass the Ball for AIDS, and Long Island’s first Candlelight Prayer Vigil in the minority community

Dale also serves or has served in a number of organizational capacities including: 

  1.     Founding member of the Nassau Community Outreach Consortium
  2.     Founding member of the Long Island Chapter of the Black Leadership Commission on AIDS
  3.     Nassau County HIV Commission-Member
  4.     New York State PPG PWA Advisory Board (Permanency Planning Group-People With AIDS
  5.     Honorary Member of President Clinton’s Advisory Council on AIDS’ African American and Latino Descent Sub-committee
  6.     Long Island Ryan White Planning Council
      1.     Data Needs and Priority sub-committee
      2.     Steering Sub-Committee
      3.     Nomination Sub-Committee
  7.     Board member, Healing Our Land Ministry of Boston
  8.     Advisory Board, Center for Rapid Recovery
  9.     Advisory Board, Circulo De La Hispanidad
  10.     Advisory Board, Five Towns Community Center
  11.     AIDS Liaison to NYS Assemblywoman Earlene Hooper-Hill
  12.     Spokesperson for Nassau University Medical Center, one of the three designated HIV/AIDS hospitals on Long Island
  13.     Spokesperson for Island Medical Center
  14.     Director of Public Relations for Positive Health Care of New York City
  15.     Director of HIV/AIDS Prevention and Education Unit of Operation Get Ahead, Hempstead, NY

Finally, Dale has over 200 hours of specialized training including:

  1.     Board Development Training, The LI United Way
  2.     HIV/AIDS Health Educator Certificate, Five Towns Community Center
  3.     AIDS 101, Stony Brook University Hospital
  4.     AIDS Community Advocacy Certificate and Talking with Kids about AIDS Training, Stony Brook Univ. Hospital
  5.     Consumer Advocacy Training, NYS AIDS Institute, NYS Department of Health
  6.     Summary Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections, Medical Media Communications
  7.     Train the Trainer, Leadership Training Institute
  8.     Faith-based Outreach Techniques, The Balm of Gilead

Dale has received numerous citations and recommendations from local, state, national, and international dignitaries.  To numerous to cite here, please see his portfolio for a complete account.  Or for additional information, references, or bookings contact toughtalkmedia@optonline.net.

TOUGH TALK MEDIA, INC.

  1.    TOUGH TALK 1-  (Cablevision Talk Show) Addresses the concerns of those infected and affected by HIV/ AIDS, delivering uplifting, hopeful messages while providing practical information on living in the age of AIDS as well as addressing the peripheral issues surrounding the epidemic such as social, economic, political, as well as celebrity interviews.                                                                                                                                                                                          
  2.     TOUGH TALK LATINO:  Cablevision Talk Show reaching the ever-increasing Latino Community    

                             

  1.     TOUGH TALK 11- (THE RADIO SHOW) Talk radio reaching the tri state area. with a One on One dialogue and anonymous call in format .  Listeners’ pose questions to host/co-host and guest which may be healthcare providers, activists, service providers or persons living with AIDS. Also responding to web cast.                                                                     
  2.     TOUGH TALK NEWS – The quarterly publication providing information on available HIV/ AIDS services, treatment, treatment centers, clinics, hospices and holistic alternative therapies with an emphasis on courageous survivors.

                                                                                                                             
DALE HOUSE RESOURCE CENTER- A unique AIDS SERVICE ORGANIZATION that is designed to ensure that people infected and affected with HIV/AIDS gain access to care and support in an efficient, effective and compassionate manner.    Our services include:
            DALE ANTHONY EMERGENCY RELIEF FUND  - Provides basics, such as food and funeral cost for individuals with HIV/ AIDS.                                                                                                                                                                                                                            

    1.     DALE HOUSE SAFE HOUSE  -  Emergency Housing for persons living with HIV/AIDS.
    1.     MOBILE TESTING- Prevention & Education outreach and HIV Testing Mobile.                                                                                                                                                                                        
    2.     MOTHER’S LOVE CLUB - Supports families infected and affected with HIV/AIDS and primary caregivers to ensure that a mother’s care and compassion is fostered and modeled.  The organization is established within communities for the purpose of the provision of hands-on care that exemplifies the love that only a mother can provide.

 

Copyright © 2009 Dr. Dale Anthony Edmonston