While on a recent trade mission to Africa, Dr. Releford had a "light bulb" moment when he came to the realization that a significant component was missing from his domestic and international health care advocacy efforts -- sustainable economic development. This, his motto "Africa Needs Trade, Not Aid" is central to his focus on creating jobs and opportunity for Africans and African Americans. Los Angeles, CA (PRWeb) February 7, 2007 -- Dr. Bill Releford to host Health Fair and Town Hall Meeting sponsored by Congresswoman Maxine Waters. Event marks the launch of Dr. Releford's Made in Africa Urban Apparel Line "Butta" to promote economic development.

Dr. Bill Releford, founder of the Diabetic Amputation Prevention Foundation (DAP), will be offering free diabetes screenings at the Health Fair and Town Hall Meeting, Sat. Feb. 10, 2007, 8 - 10 a.m. at the Baldwin Hills/Crenshaw Plaza, 3650 West Martin Luther King Blvd., Los Angeles, Calif., 90008, during the Pan African Film & Arts Festival. The Health Fair and Town Hall Meeting, which is sponsored by Congresswoman Maxine Waters in conjunction with the DAP Foundation, will focus on Pan African Diabetes and Health Care Disparities. The meeting is free to the public and will be broadcasted live on radio station KJLH 102.3 FM.

The Health Fair and Town Hall Meeting is the first event of its kind in Los Angeles and will feature domestic and international experts who will discuss the global health care trends of people of African descent. Free screening for diabetes, hypertension, HIV and prostrate cancer will be offered to more than 200,000 film festival attendees.

According to Dr. Releford, the mission of the DAP Foundation is to increase public awareness of diabetes through culturally specific education research and community based programs. "The goal is to empower the African-American community to better understand the disease and it's complications," he explains. "Our primary objective is to decrease the amputation rate among high-risk populations both domestically and internationally. By providing prevention education, early intervention, and state-of-the-art technologies, we intend to make an impact on the disparity found in the African American community on a global basis."

Africa Needs Trade, Not Aid
While on a recent trade mission to Africa, Dr. Releford had a "light bulb" moment when he came to the realization that a significant component was missing from his domestic and international health care advocacy efforts -- sustainable economic development. This, his motto "Africa Needs Trade, Not Aid," is central to his focus on creating jobs and opportunity for Africans and African Americans. Dr. Releford believes that immigrant communities fare much better than their African American counterparts mainly because they have strong connections with their homelands. Cultural exchange, land, affordable labor, and access to power are more readily accessible to immigrant groups When communities control the products that they consume, the quality of life, in terms of education, socio-economic status and health, is much better for those community members.

This belief inspired Dr. Releford to create Butta, the first urban clothing company to exclusively source all its garments from Sub-Saharan Africa. "Butta was conceived out of my desire to combine consciousness with style, quality, and street credibility, with garments made in worker-friendly environments in countries such as Ghana, Uganda, Ethiopia, Kenya, Cameroon, Nigeria, Gabon, Benin, Mali, Niger and Madagascar," Dr. Releford explains. "Although the African continent faces numerous challenges, trade, commerce and entrepreneurship will prove to be more effective than grants and aid.

"Manufacturing in Sub-Saharan Africa has proven to be a necessary and viable alternative to manufacturing in China and other Pacific Rim countries. Because of the historic African Growth and Opportunities Act, we can be competitive with other regions of the world and create jobs in the various countries where we are based. Additionally, we have been able to successfully use our Sub Saharan Manufacturing alliance to secure sourcing orders for major U.S. retailers, which has created jobs both in Africa as well as the U.S.," Dr. Releford notes.

Butta Launches Nationwide
Butta, an acronym for "Bringing U The Treasures of Africa," uniquely blends the hip-hop culture of the streets with a sophisticated, contemporary attitude. The Butta Collection for men and women includes high quality lounge wear, sports wear, T-shirts and undergarments, baby-tees, beaters, fleece hoodies, boxers and boxer briefs.

The fabrics are made from high quality cotton, cotton blends and bamboo. Sometimes referred to as "vegetable cashmere," bamboo fabric breathes and wicks moisture away from the body like synthetics, is naturally antibacterial, and has a comfortable drape and feel.

Butta is being rolled out to specialty stores nationwide. For more information call 310-300-4088 or visit http://www.madeinafrica.us.

For more information on Dr. Bill Releford visit http://www.drreleford.com.

CONTACT:
Linda Arroz, 818-752-9168
Kyrian Corona, 818-753-9444

###