Gina Ravera (ER, The Closer) is passionate about promoting HIV and AIDS awareness and education, so she took time from her busy schedule (more on that in a minute) to attend the Women At Risk benefit in Hollywood. “Young Latinas and African Americans between 13 and 24 are the highest at risk,” for the disease, she pointed out, stressing the importance of education. “’Just say no’ doesn’t cut it!”

Ravera, who is of both ethnic heritages, grew up in San Francisco and had many gay teachers and friends. “Many of the people who shaped me as an artist are no longer here. We have to talk about prevention and education,” she said, noting that the organization she founded, Project Reina (www.projectreina.org) is designed to do exactly that and empower young ethnic women. Ana Ortiz, Lisa Vidal and Heroes’ Dania Ramirez— also on hand at the fundraiser—have joined her on the foundation’s board. “We’re using our celebrity to say ‘this must be addressed,’” she said.

Wearing a black satin Bebe sheath and a custom-designed flower pendant (copies can be ordered via Project Reina), Ravera said she’s been busy juggling her roles as Dr. Bettina de Jesus on ER and Detective Irene Daniels on The Closer, which she’s done for two years. On ER, her romance with Mekhi Phifer’s Dr. Pratt is reaching a critical point. “She says all the things that a woman wants to say to a guy but is always too afraid to say.  There are a few things I can learn from her,” the actress laughed. She admitted that she sometimes momentarily forgets which part she’s supposed to be playing, and has to remind herself not to act detective-tough on the hospital set.  Her hectic schedule was compounded last year when she was cast as Denzel Washington’s wife in The Great Debaters. “I did ER in the morning, The Closer in the afternoon, and flew to Louisiana that night. I got two hours’ sleep,” she recalled. “I haven’t had a vacation in three years. I need one!” she laughed, adding that she’d go to Caracas, Venezuela or Italy if she had time.