March 16, 2021 (WASHINGTON) — The Links Foundation, Incorporated has been awarded a $350,000 grant from Gilead Sciences, Inc. to advance the organization’s work in ending the HIV epidemic that continues to disproportionately impact people of African descent. The grant will allow The Links to scale up its Links HELP (HIV Education, Leadership and Prevention) program.

The Links Foundation, Incorporated is the philanthropic arm of The Links, Incorporated, one of the nation’s oldest and largest volunteer service organizations of extraordinary women who are committed to enriching, sustaining and ensuring the culture and economic survival of African Americans and other persons of African ancestry.

Links HELP is an integral part of the organization’s Health and Human Services programming facet agenda. It takes a holistic approach to addressing the HIV/AIDS epidemic that is ravaging Black communities worldwide. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, compared with other races, the Black diaspora has a higher proportion of new HIV diagnoses. In 2018, 1 in 5 new HIV diagnoses in the US were women. While significant progress has been made in reducing the number of new diagnoses among women, Black women represent the majority of women living with HIV as well as the majority of new infections among women. The Gilead grant strengthens The Links’ position in the global fight to prevent the spread of AIDS and eradicate the epidemic.

“Even though we are in this pandemic battling the novel coronavirus 2019, HIV has been a virus that we have been battling for 40 years. We cannot turn our attention away from it now. And, as with other issues, communities of African descent are disproportionately affected by HIV and AIDS with no vaccine and no cure. Our organization continues to be galvanized to make a difference and we are poised to deliver impactful and sustainable programs through those platforms that allow us the greatest reach to our members and into our communities,” said Kimberly Jeffries Leonard, Ph.D., national president of The Links, Incorporated and The Links Foundation, Incorporated.

“We are inspired by The Links Foundation’s commitment to addressing HIV in the Black community, particularly among women, where the impact is disproportionately high,” said Korab Zuka, VP, Public Affairs, Gilead Sciences. “We are confident this grant will help the organization continue its important work making a global impact in ending the HIV epidemic.”

The Links will deliver expanded HIV education and prevention programs through impactful webinars and conference workshops for its membership and the larger community as well as live social media conversations and panels, while also collaborating with HBCUs and the organization’s national partners to move this vital work forward.

“Through this generous grant, it is our hope that our important work will help reduce the number of new HIV infections; increase awareness about HIV in our communities; reduce HIV-related disparities by increasing knowledge and combat stigmas that impact our domestic and international communities of African descent,” said Jeffries Leonard.

About The Links Foundation, Incorporated

The Links Foundation, Incorporated has contributed more than $25 million to charitable causes since its founding. In 2018, it named its fifth $1 million grantee – St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Other million-dollar grantees include the United Negro College Fund, the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Inc., the National Civil Rights Museum and the Smithsonian National Museum of African American Culture and History in Washington, D.C.

About The Links, Incorporated

The Links, Incorporated is an international, not-for-profit corporation, established in 1946. The membership consists of more than 16,000 professional women of African descent in 292 chapters located in 41 states, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of the Bahamas, and the United Kingdom. It is one of the nation’s oldest and largest volunteer service organizations of extraordinary women who are committed to enriching, sustaining and ensuring the culture and economic survival of African Americans and other persons of African ancestry. For more information, visit www.linksinc.org.

October 9, 2020

To Our Dear Sister Kamala,

Well, Black-woman-to-Black-woman, it’s time we had “the talk.”  Not the talk we must have with our children about the perils of being a person of color in America, but the talk Black women must have with each other and ourselves, especially when the days get tough. It is the talk that reminds us who we are and how we are all connected as Black women. The talk to lift us up on the days when we are weary from being overlooked, underestimated, and minimized. After all, we know what you’ve been facing as the first Black female candidate for Vice President of these United States. Regardless of political party and because we share a common belief in the goals for which you stand, as they say in the vernacular, “We Got Your Back!”

We are raising our collective, five million voices, to uplift and encourage you. The strength and power you represent puts fear in some. When you are demeaned and disrespected, all African American women are demeaned and disrespected. We will not let this continue without a response.

To the rhetoric, “angry Black woman,” “monster,” and other derogatory epitaphs hurled at you, “We Got Your Back.” As any mother or sister-girlfriend would say to you and to those who would try to shut you down mentally, physically and spiritually, ignore the chatter.

We know, and historians and archivists confirm it, the African woman is the mother of our modern civilization. For centuries, Black women have nursed and raised their babies along with the babies of others. Caring for them, encouraging them, feeding them with wonderful soulful food, using our strength to release and free others and crying for too many lost children. It was a Black woman who was the human computer that insured a man got to the moon. It was a Black woman, who by the strength of her will, would not be moved from her seat on a city bus and started a movement. It was a brave Black woman who took her own folding chair when she could not get a seat at any political party’s table and became the first woman to run for President of these United States. And it is Black women who have raised powerful children alone and become public advocates themselves when our men of the movement are murdered. Never forget that you come from strong resilient ancestry and you will not be defeated by lies and character assassination.

We, SistersUnited4Reform, speak out to demand these attacks stop.

Sister Kamala:

Let your skills and experience be evident and never devalued as assets.

Let the power in your voice be heard and never minimized or silenced

Let your presence be awesome but never flagrant

Let your integrity be steadfast and never compromised

Let your intelligence be respected and never denied

Let your light continue to shine and never be dimmed by demagoguery, divisiveness, or delusion

Remember… “We Got Your Back!”

Sisterly,

Dr. Glenda Glover, International President, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated

Beverly E. Smith, National President and CEO, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated

Valerie Hollingsworth Baker, International President, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated

Rasheeda Liberty, International President, Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Incorporated

Dr. Kimberly Jeffries Leonard, National President, The Links, Incorporated and The Links Foundation, Incorporated.

Dr. Johnnetta Betsch Cole, Chair and President, National Council of Negro Women

Virginia Harris, National President, National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Incorporated

Kornisha McGill Brown, National President, Jack and Jill of America, Incorporated

Margaret Gaines Clark, National President, The Girl Friends^®, Incorporated

Sharon J. Beard, National President, Top Ladies of Distinction, Incorporated

Melanie Campbell, President and CEO, Black Women’s Roundtable

Susan Taylor, Founder and CEO, National Cares Mentoring Movement

Gwainevere Catchings Hess, President, The Black Women’s Agenda, Inc.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – October 1, 2020 – The Links, Incorporated (The Links) hosted its 25th Annual Walk for Healthy Living Walk-A-Thon on Saturday, September 26, 2020. With 249 chapters across the U.S., Nassau, Bahamas, and London, England participating, The Links galvanized members, families, and their communities, while adhering to social distancing guidelines, to raise awareness about the benefits of walking. Walkers also took to social media to share #LinksontheMove and #WalkforHealthyLiving photos as well as their “why” around the importance of making physical activity, specifically walking, an important component of daily life. “What we know is that walking is critical to our health for both members of The Links, Incorporated and the community at large, and for 25 years, the Walk for Healthy Living Walk-A-Thon has shown the power of movement,” says National President Kimberly Jeffries Leonard, Ph.D. “Our members and communities prioritized their health on Saturday, taking steps toward improved fitness, decreased stress, better cognitive function, and an overall happier mood — all of which are essential as we continue to ensure the cultural and economic survival of African Americans and other people of African ancestry.”

The Links had a number of notable members participate, including: North Carolina Chief Justice Cheri Beasley, Triangle Park (NC) Chapter; House of Homeland Security Committee Majority Staff Director Hope Goins, Arlington (VA) Chapter; AARP CEO JoAnn Jenkins, Reston (VA) Chapter; Lt. Governor of Illinois Juliana Stratton, Chicago (IL) Chapter; President of Tougaloo College Carmen J. Walters, Jackson (MS), Chapter;  and 2008 Olympic Gold Medalist Mary Wineberg, Cincinnati (OH) Chapter.

Wineberg, a national Walk for Healthy Living committee member, knows all too well the benefits of consistent physical activity. “Simply walking at a moderate pace for 30 minutes or more several days a week can lead to significant health improvements,” she says.

The Walk for Healthy Living Walk-A-Thon has continued to gain momentum in attendance and importance throughout its 25-year history with international community engagement. Recognizing that more emphasis needed to be placed on health equity within the Black community, The Links has been on a mission to move physical activity from a pastime to a priority. Mary Clark, the national chair of HeartLinks and Walk for Healthy Living signature programs reflects on the inaugural walk: “It is hard to believe that 25 years ago I walked in Central Park with members of The Links, Incorporated including the late Betty Shabazz. The walk has grown tremendously throughout the organization and our community. So many look forward to this event as a way to spread the message about the benefits of walking for health. Walking is easy, impactful, free, and everyone can go at their own pace.”

Leading up to the milestone event, The Links hosted a series of compelling Facebook Lives featuring members who are experts in the health and medical fields. Viewed by thousands on social media, the health-focused programming highlighted the benefits of walking, how to incorporate walking into your daily routine, and testimonials on life changing experiences from walking consistently.

Understanding that African Americans and people of African descent are currently at a higher risk for serious illnesses such as heart disease and stroke made even more prevalent by COVID-19, The Links are advocating for improved community health through walking now more than ever.

ABOUT WALK FOR HEALTHY LIVING WALK-A-THON

As part of the HeartLinks signature program, The Links, Incorporated launched its first national walk-a-thon 25 years ago in New York City, with 267 chapters hosting a local walk-a-thon on Saturday, September 30, 1995. The goal of Walk for Healthy Living is to promote walking as a healthy pastime, challenge the community and members to take 10,000 steps daily, and encourage members to improve their health and that of their families and communities. Walk for Healthy Living walk-a-thons are sponsored by chapters of The Links, Incorporated throughout communities nationwide during the last weekend in September. The Links, Incorporated has a goal of walking 75 million steps by the organization’s 75th anniversary in 2021.

ABOUT THE LINKS, INCORPORATED

The Links, Incorporated is an international, not-for-profit corporation, established in 1946. The membership consists of more than 16,000 professional women of African descent in 288 chapters located in 41 states, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of the Bahamas, and the United Kingdom. It is one of the nation’s oldest and largest volunteer service organizations of extraordinary women who are committed to enriching, sustaining and ensuring the culture and economic survival of African Americans and other persons of African ancestry. Members of The Links, Incorporated contribute more than 1 million documented hours of community service annually — strengthening their communities and enhancing the nation. For more information, visit www.linksinc.org.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – October 4, 2019 –The Links, Incorporated hosted it’s 24th Annual National Walk-A-Thon, “Walk For Healthy Living,” on Saturday, September 28, 2019. More than 132 chapters across the country participated in these free and fun walks, bringing together thousands of family, friends and community members to walk for improved health and wellness. This event is part of the organization’s HeartLinks signature program, which focuses on taking an aggressive stance against heart disease, a condition that disproportionately affects the African-American community.

The nation’s capital, where The Links, Incorporated’s national headquarters is located, was a key location for this year’s walk, combining the efforts of  eighteen (18) Links chapters across Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia (DMV). The Links, Incorporated’s national president Kimberly Jeffries Leonard, PhD led the charge for #LinksOnTheMove at Hains Point in East Potomac Park, where more than 500 people participated. “To see this event grow to what it is has is truly amazing,” Dr. Jeffries Leonard said during her pre-walk program remarks. “We have an opportunity to make a difference…walk today, walk tomorrow, continue to walk because cardiovascular disease continues to be the number one killer among African-American women.” Muriel Bowser, the mayor of Washington, D.C., echoed those sentiments. “Keep walking…to keep ourselves healthy, to keep our kids healthy, to keep our men healthy…so we can take advantage of the richness of our cities.”

 Proud partners of this year’s “Walk For Healthy Living” Walk-A-Thon include The American Heart Association Greater Washington Region, The American Heart Association Greater Baltimore Region, the American Cancer Society, Partnership for a Healthier America (PHA), and the National Medical Association (NMA).

ABOUT “WALK FOR HEALTHY LIVING”

As part of the HeartLinks signature program, The Links launched its first national walk-a-thon in September 1995 in New York City, with 267 chapters hosting a local walk-a-thon on Saturday, September 30. The goal of Walk for Healthy Living is to promote walking as a healthy pastime, challenge the community and Links members to take 10,000 steps daily,  and encourage Link members to improve their health and that of their families and communities. Links walk-a-thons are sponsored by Links chapters throughout communities nationwide during the last weekend in September.

ABOUT THE LINKS, INCORPORATED
The Links, Incorporated is an international, not-for-profit corporation, established in 1946. The membership consists of more than 16,000 professional women of color in 288 chapters located in 41 states, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of the Bahamas and the United Kingdom. It is one of the nation’s oldest and largest volunteer service organizations of extraordinary women who are committed to enriching, sustaining and ensuring the culture and economic survival of African Americans and other persons of African ancestry. Links members

contribute more than 1 million documented hours of community service annually — strengthening their communities and enhancing the nation. For more information, visit www.linksinc.org.

September 3, 2019 (NEW ORLEANS) – New Orleans area women who need a little extra help entering the workforce have a new group of supporters.  Members of The Links, Incorporated and The Links Foundation, Incorporated donated more than 200 new handbags, journals and $5,830 to Dress for Success New Orleans as part of a meeting held last week in the Crescent City.

Meaghan Bonavita, Dress for Success New Orleans board president received the gift at the group’s closing session on Saturday, August 31, 2019. Bonavita called the group’s support a key element in helping women achieve impactful careers and financial independence. “You are women helping women, women empowering women who don’t have resources,” she said.

The Links national president, Kimberly Jeffries Leonard, Ph.D., congratulated members who donated both items and cash as a part of their meeting attendance. Leonard told members that the gift marks the beginning of a national partnership. The Links, Incorporated will soon sign a national partnership with Dress for Success and support that organization’s efforts nationwide. Cities where both The Links, Incorporated and Dress for Success have existing chapters will have the opportunity to work together. In describing Links members, Leonard cited the “beauty of their spirits,” as the reason the impromptu donation was so large. Local Links members from the New Orleans (LA), Crescent City (LA) and Pontchartrain (LA) Chapters raised $1,500. Those attending the meeting donated more than 200 purses, journals, and $2,165. The Links Foundation, Incorporated matched that donation with an additional $2,165.

The Links Foundation, Incorporated

The Links Foundation, Incorporated, the philanthropic arm of The Links, Incorporated, has made more than $25 million dollars in charitable contributions since its founding. In 2018, The Links Foundation, Incorporated named its fifth $1 million grantee – St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Other million-dollar grantees include the United Negro College Fund, the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Inc., the National Civil Rights Museum and the Smithsonian National Museum of African American Culture and History.

About The Links, Incorporated

The Links, Incorporated consists of more than 16,000 professional women of color in 288 chapters located in 41 states, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of the Bahamas, and the United Kingdom.  It is one of the nation’s oldest and largest volunteer service organizations of extraordinary women who are committed to enriching, sustaining and ensuring the culture and economic survival of African Americans and other persons of African ancestry. For more information, visit www.linksinc.org.

About Dress for Success

Dress for Success is a non-profit organization with the mission of empowering women to achieve economic independence by providing a network of support, professional attire and the development tools to help women thrive in work and in life. For information, visit www.dressforsuccess.org and/or watch this video.