February 3 is VirLinda Stanton Day
February 7 is National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day
DALLAS, TX – Life has not been a crystal stair for VirLinda Stanton (in the words of legendary poet Langston Hughes), in spite being one of North and East Texas’ shining entertainment beacons for over four decades.
Obstacles in her life included being diagnosed with HIV/AIDS nearly 30 years ago.
Through all her joys and pains, Stanton, an advocate for HIV/AIDS, influencer, public speaker and best-selling author, will embark on a new chapter in her life that will give much-needed care and love to many of the same people who has loved and enjoyed her history-making performances.
On February 7 – designated annually as National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day – Stanton will officially launch the emergence of OVERCOMERS FOR LIFE, a non-profit organization that will provide valuable health and medical assistance and services for HIV/AIDS patients, those suffering from other life- threatening conditions and undergoing mental health crises.
Stanton bravely looks to be the new face of HIV/AIDS, specifically for women of color, but also for anyone in need.
“Our mission is to assist all persons dealing with life threatening diagnosis, mental health, HIV/AIDS and other medical conditions. We will assist with how to find health care professionals, provide a network of support and social resources, education, and help connect people with professionals – doctors, counselors, educators, HIV community support – to help with your concerns,” said Stanton. “We hope to provide a network of mental support of how to discuss your diagnosis with your family members. We hope to impact, influence, and inspire change perspective and gain confidence on how to live a great and happy life –
“Despite your diagnosis!”
Through OVERCOMERS FOR LIFE, Stanton plans to convey and expand the same values and principles she practiced that helped her persevere from when she was first diagnosed with HIV/AIDS in 1994. In the early 1990s, contracting HIV/AIDS was considered an automatic death sentence by almost all people in both the medical industry and public eye.
The shock and impact for VirLinda were equal to when former basketball superstar Earvin “Magic” Johnson announced that he had contracted HIV/AIDS almost two years earlier than Stanton’s diagnosis. It also paralleled with the story of Ryan White, who became a national poster child for HIV/AIDS when he contracted the disease in 1984 (age 13) and died in 1990 at 18, after being given just six months to live by doctors.
“Living 29 years with the diagnosis of HIV/AIDS wasn’t easy. As a matter of fact, something that I thought would kill me only made me want to fight harder to live,” Stanton said. “When I was informed of this diagnosis, I did not believe it nor did I receive it. I’ve always had to stand on God’s word and His healing power.”
Almost three decades later, VirLinda has defied such gloom-and-doom predictions and remarkably hammered her way to a successful career in theater, music, television and film.
Stanton grew up in the rural Shady Grove community, right outside the city of Tyler, Texas, the home of former NFL Hall-of-Famer and Heisman Trophy football star Earl Campbell and also the home of former “It’s Showtime at the Apollo” co-host Kiki Shepard. Recognized as a child prodigy, her divine destiny and deep
talents became realized as early as age 9, singing at her grandmother’s church.
In 2009, Stanton, known for her powerful voice and strong command to audiences, burst into the theatre scene, playing the famous characters of Shug Avery and Church Lady Darlene in Oprah Winfrey’s “The Color Purple National Broadway Tour.” She went on to roles in other film, television and theatric productions and culminated by leading a 2-hour Performance at the White House in Washington, D.C. for “President Barak Obama’s Christmas Open House” program on December 23, 2011.
Stanton later executive produced of her 1st Gospel CD “The Best Is Yet to Come,” featuring songs from “The Color Purple.” Her single from the CD, “Maybe God Is Trying to Tell You Something” was picked up
by 20th Century Fox and featured in the ABC Sitcom, “Fresh Off The Boat.”
Stanton’s accolades led to numerous prestigious recognitions from her homeland East Texas community. Also dubbed “Tyler’s Golden Rose,” her many honors have included:
The “Key to The City of Tyler”;
The street CR 310, renamed VirLinda Lane, (East and West);
A Resolution declaring February 3rd “VirLinda Stanton Day,” from Tyler Smith County Commissioners Court; A second Proclamation proclaiming February 16th “VirLinda Stanton Day,” from Mayor Barbara Bass and the City of Tyler.
The multi-dimensional Stanton is the founder of “VirLinda Stanton Enterprises, LLC and also embarked on her journey as a published and award-winning author. Her first book Anthology release, “Souled Out Vol. 2 (co- authored with Cheryl Polote-Williamson) is an Amazon best-seller.
OVERCOMERS FOR LIFE will develop a combination of strategic and cutting-edge tools to provide timely aid to those suffering from serious medical conditions, namely HIV/AIDS and mental health crises.
VirLinda also serves as a current board member with the Ryan White Planning Council Committee in Dallas County, Texas.
Stanton says, “I want to acknowledge and be the face of National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day on February 7, 2023.”
Stanton will announce new programs and campaigns throughout 2023 that will help provide much-needed support to troubled women of color and others. As she states: “The Best Is Yet To Come!”
