In an op-ed in Friday’s New York Times, on the eve of President Obama’s first official trip to Africa, Bono highlighted that opportunity is indeed on the rise in Africa, while simultaneously cautioning that assistance is still needed:

“Amid poverty and disease are opportunities for investment and growth — investment and growth that won’t eliminate overnight the need for assistance … but that in time can build roads, schools and power grids and propel commerce to the point where aid is replaced by trade pacts, business deals and home-grown income.”

In addition to the need for assistance in building the infrastructure, many African countries will undoubtedly continue to require assistance in fighting the HIV/AIDS and Malaria epidemics. That’s just what Bono’s RED Campaign continues to provide by raising money and awareness for The Global Fund. RED has been extremely successful since Bono founded it with Bobby Shriver in 2006, with more than $130 million contributed to The Global Fund to date. In part due to this ongoing contribution, according to the website, The Global Fund has reached 62 million people with HIV counseling and testing, provided 3.2 million AIDS orphans with basic care and support, reached 91 million people with community outreach services for one or several of the three diseases, and trained 7.6 million health or community workers to deliver service.

RED is a smart combination of philanthropy and consumerism. Brands involved thus far include American Express, Apple, Dell, Starbucks and Girl Skateboards, who introduced their first contribution to the Product(RED) line in 2007 with a pair of Eric Koston skateboard decks designed by Girl Art Director Andy Jenkins. Says Jenkins:

“I think with skateboarding, like with any other subculture, if you’re in or around it long enough you have a tendency to kind of get insulated in that little world that you’re in. … With the RED project it helps us to reach outside of our own little world without really changing what we really do.”

The formula of the Girl/RED partnership is a smart, simple pairing of great design (based on original paintings by Jenkins) and a great cause, making it easy for people to raise awareness for Africans in need. Skaters are already buying decks (lots of them: More than 5 million sold in 2004) and Girl is donating more than half the profits directly to The Global Fund. I spoke with Girl co-founder Megan Baltimore about the partnership.

AD: How did the RED/Girl partnership form back in 2007 when you launched the first set of decks?

MB: I had read several articles about RED and the philosophy and was really impressed with the idea. Spike [Jonze] got in touch with Bono and we went from there. We’re proud to be a special edition partner.

Is this a limited edition or will you manufacture additional decks if the demand presents itself?

We want to make as many decks as we can sell. We want to raise the awareness for such a great effort that is RED.

I love that some of my friends collect decks as pieces of art and often display them prominently as such. Do you find that people are actually skating with the decks or saving them as art? Who designed this year’s set?

People are definitely collecting them. Andy Jenkins has designed both sets of decks so far and his art is always pretty special.

Was there any concern about partnering with RED based on the criticisms about the lack of transparency, and some estimates the campaign has spent upwards of $100 million on advertising, marketing, events and salaries?

We’re proud of our partnership. In a perfect world, you could generate funds for a cause with no press and attention but this is something that is working.

What has been the response from the skating community?

The skateboard community has given us great feedback. For me, the skaters that are so happy to be part of the partnership is really great.

Is Girl involved in other charitable projects that you’d like to highlight for our audience?

Right now, RED is the only project like this we are involved in.

Where can we send people interested in purchasing the decks?

If you go to any of our websites, it will take you to a list of shops that carry our product. Or you can call us at 800 948 SKATE and we will help you find the shop in your area.