In March of 2019, the NC AIDS Action Network launched the NC AIDS Action Network Endowment at the NC Community Foundation with a matching challenge gift of $75,000 from the Elton John AIDS Foundation. The matching gift was given in honor of Carolyn McAllaster, a longtime movement leader, founder of NC AIDS Action Network, and former board member who retired from Duke Law in 2019.
NC AIDS Action Network’s annual event Cocktails and Conversations, was designated in 2019 to support the endowment. Cocktails and Conversations was cancelled in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. A year later, we are hosting this annual event in a virtual format on Thursday, April 22, 2021 at 6pm EST, with a new name: Cupcakes and Conversations!
CLICK HERE to buy your ticket for Cupcakes and Conversations
Everyone who purchases a ticket will receive, in advance, a cupcake from Sunflour Baking Company, a local bakery in Charlotte, NC (your choice of caramel or in the tradition of Cocktails and Conversations red velvet Irish cream with Baileys baked in!) The virtual program will feature “conversation” from local and national HIV advocacy leaders. Revenue from Cupcakes and Conversations will go toward completing the challenge match from the Elton John AIDS Foundation, which was put on pause in 2020 due to COVID-19. We’re excited for this event to bring together people living with HIV, medical providers, advocates, friends, and philanthropic leaders to advance our work and meet the match from Elton John!
Please purchase tickets or sponsorship by April 12th to guarantee your cupcake arrives by the event. We are pleased to partner with TRU Wine + Deli in Chapel Hill to offer a wine pairing for each cupcake which can be picked up in the days leading up to the event for those living in Chapel Hill or neighboring communities. Proceeds from wine sales will benefit the matching campaign!
Cupcakes and Conversations Host Committee
Robert Greenwald, Adam Linker, Elaine Martin, Carolyn McAllaster, Sandy Moulton, Joy Ostroff, Damon Seils, Cindy Snyder, Jennifer Tolle Whiteside, Erik Valera, Jesse White
