Display Text from Code Behind Variables

 I am trying to display variable from my code behind in my aspx using <%#  %>.  It works fine after a postback, but not in the initial load.  Once any event like a button click occurs it shows up, but not before, even if I do a manual refresh in the browser.
public string InfoBarTitle = "Hello"; In my aspx I have:
<span id="InfoBarTitle"><%# InfoBarTitle %>< ...