Advance tickets have ended for the show. Tickets will be available at the door. CASH ONLY! Early arrival is strongly recommended.

The Red Pump Project is turning ONE. And it's National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Day!

You're cordially invited to the The Red Pump Project's inaugural fashion show: Rock the RED: Bold. Fashion. Awareness. The show will be held on March 25, 2010, in commemoration of annual National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day.

Rock the RED will also be a celebration of the first anniversary of The Red Pump Project, which was founded in March 2009 to raise awareness about the impact of HIV/AIDS on women and girls. 

The event will begin with a "Happy Hour" at 6:00pm, and Rock the Red beginning promptly at 7:00pm. It will showcase the newest fashions by upcoming designers and boutiques from around the city.

Honoring Rae Lewis-Thornton

We will be honoring Emmy Award-winning HIV/AIDS activist Rae Lewis-Thornton with the "Ultimate Red Pump Rocker" Award for being a LIVING LEGACY, and facing the disease with dignity, class and undeniable courage.

Appearing on the cover of Essence Magazine in 1994, telling her story "The Face of AIDS," Rae has inspired countless people across the world. She has traveled worldwide in an unending crusade challenging stereotypes and myths around HIV/AIDS. In addition to being in Essence magazine, Rae has been featured in many publications including Ebony, Jet, O-The Oprah Magazine, Glamour, Chicago Tribune, Chicago Sun-Times, Washington Post, to name a few.

Rae is a licensed Baptist minister, with a Master of Divinity. She is also a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority.

For this reason and COUNTLESS MORE...

Rae Lewis-Thornton is THE ULTIMATE RED PUMP ROCKER and a LIVING LEGACY!

So join us for a fantastic evening where we bring together social justice and fashion to Rock the RED BOLDLY, FASHIONABLY while being AWARE of the impact of HIV/AIDS on our community.

Ladies, ROCK YOUR RED PUMPS! Gentlemen, ROCK YOUR RED TIES!

Awareness is always in style!

Event Details

When: March 25, 2010

Where: Bottom Lounge; 1375 W. Lake St. Chicago, IL 60607

Time: 6:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m. (6:00 p.m.- Cocktail Hour; 7 p.m. Show begins)

Show stylist: Deedee Esubi (The Sassy Peach)

Music provided by: DJ Bonsu

Makeup by: Rashida B (The Brow Studio)

Hair by: Dee Desalu

Designers include: Pretty Afrika, Crystal B. Designs, Amber Johnson, Spirit Africa, Eidia Lush Shoes...

We will be having a silent auction and raffles! We'll accept cash and checks.

Tickets (if still available) will be higher if purchased at the door

Sponsors include: 

To launch the stream CLICK HERE!

About The Red Pump Project

The Red Pump Project is a part of The Red Project Collective (The Collective), a nonprofit organization that raises awareness about the impact of HIV/AIDS on minority communities (women, people of color, LGBT). Through its initiatives, The Red Pump Project and The Red Tie Project, The Collective is doing work online and on the ground to motivate action and encourage dialogue about the effects of the disease.

The Red Pump Project was founded in March 2009 by Luvvie Ajayi and Karyn Watkins to commemorate National Women & Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day (NWGHAAD), held annually on March 10. It is now a national initiative that has continued to do work around the issue of HIV/AIDS, encouraging people to “Rocking the Red Pump” to raise awareness about this epidemic's effect on women and girls.