This document discusses the application of a systems approach for family counseling for African American families with a family member infected with Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS). It begins by citing statistics that illustrate that there exists a disproportionate representation of cases of AIDS among African Americans. A discussion on empowerment of the family gives some historical perspective to the black family and cautions against taking a Eurocentric approach when working with other cultural groups. The systems approach is explained and the discussion then integrates the systems approach in combination with a multicultural approach which involves empowering the African American family by using its strengths. A section on the African American family in therapy is followed by a discussion of the AIDS family. It is noted that the application of a systems approach for counseling African American AIDS patients and their families allows the counselor to deal with the ramifications of the disease within a cultural framework inclusive of extended relationships. Specific strategies are presented which combine these perspectives with the existential dilemmas encountered by the dying and his or her family. The document concludes that counselors also need to be responsible advocates of safe sex and drug usage in their efforts to prevent AIDS. (NB)