Beyond the Image with Sammie Bush

Sammie is an American Pop singer, who tours the United States with BET’s Rap It Up Campaign. The Rap-It-Up Campaign is a safe sex initiative created by BET and partners to urge young people in the African-American community to practice safe sex, get tested for HIV and AIDS and to know their status.

Sammie is known for his amazing talent for singing. He began his singing career in the third grade at church. Sammie became very successful in the music industry and had a debut album called “From the Bottom to the Top”. This 25 year old singer wanted to be more involved in the community by helping out teens. Sammie became connected with BET’s  (Black Entertainment Television) Rap It Up Campaign. The campaign messengers travel across the country educating teenagers about the HIV/AIDS virus. The group talks to students about the consequences of having unprotected sex. BET sends a panel of doctors, celebrities, a survivor of HIV, and also student representatives to each site.   On Wednesday, September 19th,  2012 the panel traveled to Wichita, Kansas to educate students at Heights High School. In order to attend the assembly, the students had to have permission slips signed by their parents. One dedicated mom said, “At first, I was concerned that it wasn’t going to be informational. I didn’t exactly know the purpose. I know it is important for teens to be educated on the issue, but I wanted to make sure they stated facts and not just misconceptions. I am really proud of Heights for having the courage to have this assembly about a difficult and controversial issue.” After the assembly I asked another mom if she felt the assembly was a success. In return she answered, “I was happy that after the program my daughter said she was going to remain celibate.”

Sammie is a great role model for teens. Even with his musical success as a singer/songwriter, he still finds time to reach out to teens. The panel that he is a member of contributes to the education and knowledge of HIV/AIDS and other risks of having sex. Sammie is an inspiration because he has used his life story as an example of how to live your life by being aware and safe in light of sexual relations with others.