Maria A. Davis
The oldest of six children, Maria always
yearned for success. Growing up in the South Bronx, Mott Haven
Projects, the foundation was laid to achieve her dream of
being somebody.
Maria Davis' persistence, warmth, out-going
and humorous personality attracted the people who gave her
a shot at her dreams. She began her professional modeling
career at the age uncommon age of twenty-one in the early
eighties--when black faces were rarely seen in magazines.
With the help of Pat Evans Modeling Agency Maria became one
of the premiere print and showroom models for various designers
and major manufacturers. Further inspired by Harlem's burgeoning
entrepreneurial spirit, Maria relocated to Harlem, but it
was her true love of Black music that led her to Harlem's
Record King Audio Music Store where she met several recording
artists and music industry professionals. Here is where Maria
found her professional calling. She abandoned her successful
modeling career to pursue a profession in the entertainment
industry. Knowing that she had to start at the bottom once
again Maria simultaneously waited tables and tended bar at
New York City hot spots like The Cellar Restaurant, Perk's,
Well's and Sylvia's, which were also frequented by celebrities,
recording artists, athletes and music executives who would
continue to inspire and guide her along her path.
Maria knew talent when she saw it and with
the help of mentors became known as one of New York's premiere
promoters. With support from various record labels who provided
her with new artists and her background in cinematography,
she produced, directed and promoted her newly created music
showcases M.A.D. Wednesday's. The legendary M.A.D. Wednesday's
music showcases provided venues for signed and unsigned R&B
and hip-hop artists and comedians who had no other performance
options. Maria created an outlet for young people to express
themselves artistically when community programs were being
cut and young people had no where else to go to hone their
skills. Even through financial difficulties her love for young
people propelled her to continue to support and promote young
talent because she knew that if they were at her showcases
they weren't on the streets and not getting into trouble.
In 1995 Maria's life took a turn, she contracted
the HIV virus. While in the hospital near death her spiritual
calling was revealed to her. Maria knew that she had to devote
her life to educating women, men and children about AIDS.
For the first time Maria bore her soul about her personal
crisis with AIDS in the book Souls of My Sisters, Black Women
Break Their Silence, Tell Their Stories and Heal Their Spirits.
Maria Davis is an AIDS activist who speaks to thousands of
people every year about HIV / AIDS awareness. Volunteering
her time at Harlem United, The Actor's Fund, Gay Men's Health
Crisis and Life Beat, and The Music Industry Fights AIDS.
Maria maintains that being grateful and giving to others is
the only true way to fight HIV / AIDS.
As Maria strives to maintain her own health
through holistic remedies and Western medicine she reinforces
her motto, "If I leave this earth, right now today, I
would want my tombstone and my legacy to read, Learn to love
each other and remember the best part of life is that no matter
how much anyone tries to darken your situation the light always
shines through. Finally, to believe half of what you see and
none of what you hear because your enemy today might turn
out to be your angel tomorrow."
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