Big shouts to an organization called The 411 Initiative For Change which is a national youth led not-for-profit organization and a registered charity producing social justice themed arts programming. They do shows targeted at high-schools revolving around AIDS, Black History Month, Asian Heritage Month, Women’s Struggles & Successes and more. For more info check out www.whatsthe411.ca and check out their latest official press release featuring the legendary (and all around nice guy) DJ Dopey:
Nov 6, 2009. Toronto – DJ Dopey (Jon Santiago) from MTV Live (MTV Canada) has teamed up with youth organization The 411 Initiative For Change (411) to promote HIV testing to young Canadians. There are 60,000 people in Canada living with HIV it is estimated that 27% of the people infected are undiagnosed. Globally young people account for 50% of new HIV infections.
Dopey got an HIV testing diary at the Toronto Hassle Free Clinic allowing 411 film this personal experience. Now Dopey is taking time out of his busy schedule to talk to young people about his testing experience, encourage them to get tested.
“Canadian teens don’t know that testing is confidential or that it is free,” explains Dopey. “They don’t even realize that HIV infection is a risk for them due to things like unsafe sex and drug use. There is a lot of misinformation I hope to be able to clear up.”
Dopey will take part in a World Aids Day presentation for young audiences to discuss his testing experience on Dec 1, 2009 with presentations at 10:00am and 1:00pm at the Al Green Theatre, Miles Nadal JCC – 750 Spadina Ave, Toronto.
In the spring of 2010 Dopey will travel to high schools and colleges across Canada as part of a 411 HIV/AIDS education program. Dopey will talk with over 20,000 young Canadians about the importance of HIV testing.
“Many young Canadians are surprised to learn that in Canada 12 people are infected with HIV every day,” explains Sterling Downey, President of 411. “Getting a young celebrity like DJ Dopey to get tested on camera and to talk to young people across Canada about this is really powerful.”
Dopey a Filipino-Canadian has won the most prestigious titles available to a DJ: the 2003 World DMC Champion, 2002-2003 Vestax Canadian Champ and 2001 Allies All star Beat-Down Challenge Champion among others. Currently Dopey can be seen daily on MTV Canada’s flagship program “MTV Live” spinning music videos. Dopey is also a member of Toronto based rap group Notes To Self.
