Reverend Anthony Hollins, 1965-2007 Pastor also an AIDS activist, choreographer.
"He was a tireless worker," said Iva Carruthers, who heads the Samuel D. Proctor Conference, a group that works with 5,000 ministers throughout the country. "He believed he was called to do his work."
Mr. Hollins, senior project manager for the Proctor Conference, was Carruthers' top aide, organizing such events as public hearings on the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.
But his work didn't end there. Rev. Hollins also was an AIDS activist, dance choreographer and minister....
During the 1980s he performed with the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. He also performed with Gus Giordano Jazz Dance Chicago. He served as personal assistant to the executive producer of the "Judge Mathis" show and co-produced the television shows "Time for Healing" and "House on Fire....
Mr. Hollins formed his own dance troupe for youth, The New Life Performance Company, and taught dance at Trinity United Church of Christ and St. Sabina Catholic Church."
I never met Rev. Hollins, but I do remember reading about him in Chicago Community papers and hearing about him from friends in the African-American community. The courage for a Black man to work in the area of AIDS awareness, on the Southside of Chicago, and who was HIV+ is monumental. The Black Community is normally in complete denial of a problem even existing. He was marvelous. He will be sorely missed.
In the article there was a sentence that, as they say, took the wind out of my sails.
Mr. Hollins was to be the recipient of the "Hope and Spirit Award" at the Gospel Shoutout for the 2007 World AIDS Day of Prayer, sponsored by Walgreens and U.S. Rep. Danny Davis.
Tomorrow, December 1st.
His is one death in many, I know. When 6,000 children each day loose a parent to AIDS, the problem is global. He was one of the people taking action trying to help at least one of these children. His job was important and he took on the challenge. Not only will he be missed, there will be a large hole in the community and the universe.
John F. Kennedy wrote a book called Profiles in Courage. If the book was written today, Anthony Hollins' would be one of the chapters.
You can read more about World AIDS Day here.
5 comments:
Thank you for placing all this information on my brother, friend, and colleague...Rev. Anthony Hollins!
I was shocked to hear the message on my voice mail that my little brother had passed on to be present with the Lord. I searched his name and came to this site...so marvelous testament to the life of a young, beautiful, Black man who stood his ground and was for Real about "speaking truth to powers that be"...
Anthony and I were knitted together as brothers immediately from the time we first talked on the phone...He was my contact with the Samuel DeWitt Proctor Conference and Dr. Iva Carruthers...He was able to fulfill every promise and keep his word as sincere and authentic as the Love of Christ. Anthony was a "good" man...not because he was perfect but because as Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. would say, "the bend of his life was correct!"
I was hurt but now I feel Joy in My Soul...because Anthony has fulfilled his duties, he has run the race, he has finished his course and "The Lord said, 'Well done, my good and faithful Servant...Come On Home'"
Rest in Peace My Brotha...Rest, Rest...all is well!
Your Big Bro.
Reverend Karl with a "K"
www.efministries.org
eFFectual Fervent Ministries
your very welcome. i thought that highlighting someone who made a difference was important in not only celebrating his life but in extending awareness that there is always hope.
as the Hopi Native-American adage goes - When hope is gone, life is over.
I once took a class with Mr. Hollins...he stuck me as one of those persons you would never forget. The year was 2002, and I had recently and unexpectedly lost a family member to AIDS. He was an eloquent and very knowledgeable speaker, as he informed all in this class the importance of HIV awareness. Thank you, Mr. Hollins, your energy and presence will be missed
I am heartbroken right now. I had the pleasure of dancing with Anthony in the mid 90's when he was a guest choreographer with Chicago State University's Danceworks Company. He was the funniest guy ever and an AMAZING dancer and choreographer. Just being in his presence you felt his love of God. I happened upon an old videotape of a 1994 Danceworks concert that he performed in and I decided today to Google him and find out what he's been up to lately... only to find out that this beautiful brother passed on last year. I'm truly saddened at this news... I wish I could describe what a blessing Anthony Hollins was to this world, but I'm so shocked and sad right now, the words escape me. Rest in Peace, Anthony.
Gosh, I am total shock. I had the opportunity to dance with the New Life Performance Company while in high school. Anthony gave me my very first solo. I lost took with him but he will always have a place in my heart. Rest well, Anthony. Job well done.
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