They Have the Power [VIDEOS]

“It’s a historic night…in Texas and Ohio, people are pouring out to the polls, and the air is positively crackling with possibility,” Steve Villano, president and CEO of Cable Positive, said last night at the organization’s Power Awards benefit dinner in midtown Manhattan.

The awards ceremony—held on the same night as the March 4 presidential primaries in Texas, Ohio, Rhode Island and Vermont—was filled with an air of possibility all its own.


(from l. to r.) Villano, Gayle, Roedy and Willner

The ballroom hummed with energy as leaders in the cable industry, prominent figures in the media and honored members of the HIV/AIDS community gathered to celebrate the accomplishments of three individuals who have made an incredible difference in the fight against HIV/AIDS, heroes who help change the way the world sees AIDS.

Founded in 1992 by three concerned cable executives, Cable Positive is a national nonprofit organization that mobilizes the talents, resources, access and influence of the cable and telecommunications industry to fight AIDS. Cable Positive’s mission includes: raising awareness about HIV/AIDS; supporting HIV/AIDS education, prevention and care; and striving to end stigma by creating a more compassionate climate for people whose lives have been affected by HIV. Since 1992, Cable Positive has raised nearly $20 million in the fight against AIDS and the industry has contributed more than $1 billion in air time. Last night’s ceremony, hosted by POZ’s editor-in-chief Regan Hofmann,


Dr. Mathilde Krim, founding chairman & chairman of the board, amfAR, with POZ editor-in-chief Regan Hofmann

marked the 11th consecutive year that the awards benefit has raised more than $1 million.

This year’s honorees included: Bill Roedy, vice chairman of MTV Networks, who was honored with the Joel A. Berger Award for spearheading the networks’ HIV programming and awareness initiatives; Dr. Helene Gayle, president and CEO of the international poverty-fighting organization CARE, who received the Humanitarian Award; and Michael Willner, vice chairman and CEO of Insight Communications, recipient of the Leadership Award.

“Cable is a very successful industry and with success comes responsibility,” said Willner in his acceptance speech. Though he


(from l. to r.) Lawrence, Gayle, Pounder, Villano,Davidson, Krim

expressed his happiness at accepting the award on behalf of all of Insight employees across the country, he stressed the need for continued perseverance from the industry. “We really can do better,” he added.

The event was held at the Marriott Marquis Hotel in Times Square. Celebrity presenters included Grammy award-winning artist Wyclef Jean; actresses Amy Davidson and Sharon Lawrence of the Lifetime Movie Network’s first original miniseries, The Capture of the Green River Killer; and actress CCH Pounder from FX’s The Shield.

POZ’s Nicole Joseph interviews Michael Willner, vice chairman and CEO of Insight Communications