Fierce and fabulous funny lady Jenifer Lewis got plenty of laughs—and became serious—during the AIDS Foundation of Chicago's "Step Up. Get Tested" event at the Baton Show Lounge, 436 N. Clark St.
"Let me see how I look—a pretty bitch!" Lewis said, gazing in a full-length mirror on stage.
The event raised no money. It was all about raising HIV testing awareness instead.
"This campaign is not about condoms or safer sex," event organizer Anthony Galloway said.
About 6,000 people in Chicago are living with HIV and don't know their status, according to Galloway.
"We think those [people] are infectious," he said. "We want everyone to know their status, so there's a level playing field. That's why Jenifer is here tonight…to endorse that message."
Brandon Harrison, "Step Up. Get Tested" incoming chair, echoed Galloway's sentiments. The event's goal, Harrison said, was to raise awareness and reduce stigma. And, it could also help create partnerships with local agencies.
"HIV testing is important, because it's better to know than not know," Harrison said.
Although Lewis left the audience laughing at times, she shared some sober stories. She remembered the early days of the AIDS epidemic and its toll her and the entertainment world. Lewis, the Dreamgirls original Effie on Broadway, said the show's entire chorus died of AIDS.
"We didn't know what it was," she said. "We didn't know if we could catch by touching."
Lewis described the AIDS epidemic, in its early days, as "a silent war that was never declared." Watching AIDS and death ravage loved ones, obviously, left Lewis asking why and trying to process the ongoing tragedy. But, soon, she came to understand there was only one way to respond.
"You mourn as long as you have to mourn," Lewis said. "And, then, you get the fuck up and fight."
Lewis has just fought to end HIV/AIDS. She's fought a personal battle against bipolar disorder. Lewis has been in therapy for 17 years and on medication for 10 years, she said.
"It's a disease, like all diseases," Lewis said. "I'm sick of the Black community not addressing this issue."
As she shared this life battle, Lewis revealed she's working on a memoir. For her, writing a book isn't about the money. Lewis said she feels "compelled" to write a book. She said she finally knows how to be happy.
"It takes hard work and perseverance to come to happiness," Lewis said. "You either want to enjoy your life or not."
Performing brings Lewis more than enjoyment. Besides Dreamgirls, her career, of course, includes appearing as fictional '70s soul diva Jackie Washington, who's hoping for a comeback, in Jackie's Back.
Robert Townshend directed the movie. Lewis is slated to appear in a Debbie Allen-directed sequel entitled Ventura Boulevard. When Lewis mentioned the 1999 Lifetime Channel TV movie, the audience quoted dialogue.
"Thank you for making it a cult classic," she said.
Lewis left everyone with some food for thought.
"If a 9.2 [earthquake] hit this motherfucker, how would you go down?" she said. "I try to love people, because I can now."
For more information, visit stepupgettested.com .
