Washington, D.C. (July 26, 2020) —Today The Links, Incorporated announced its national partnership with When We All Vote, a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization launched by Co-Chair Michelle Obama in 2018 to increase participation in every election. When We All Vote is a mission to change the culture around voting and close the race and age voting gap to ensure every eligible voter is registered and ready to vote.

“When We All Vote is on a mission to increase participation in every election and close the race and age voting gap by changing the culture around voting. We are proud to partner with The Links, Incorporated to train thousands of voting squad captains across the country,” said When We All Vote Board Chair Valerie Jarrett. “Together, through a voter registration challenge, we will ensure thousands of eligible voters are registered and ready to vote in every election. We know that our democracy is stronger when we all vote, and organizations focused on empowering our communities like The Links can deeply impact voter participation.”

The Links has and continues to be strong advocates for ensuring that all people, particularly Black and brown communities, are able to exercise their right to vote. Through this partnership, The Links will expand get-out-the-vote efforts to increase voter registration, engagement and turnout helping to ensure those 100 million eligible voters who did not cast their ballots in 2016, do so in 2020. The Links will also use this effort to help guard against voter suppression so that every single vote is counted.

“We know that transforming communities starts with getting people to understand and exercise their civic responsibility, and voting is chief among them. Our primary weapon is our vote and we must wield that power in this country to make change,” said national president of The Links, Incorporated Kimberly Jeffries Leonard. “Over the next 100 days, we plan to leverage the voices of our more than 16,000 members to educate, engage and mobilize voters and stakeholders in our communities. We will help ensure everyone is registered and ready to vote. Our voice, our vote, and our power matter now more than ever.”

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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 When We All Vote

When We All Vote is a national, nonpartisan nonprofit that brings together citizens, institutions, brands, and organizations to increase participation in every election. Launched by Michelle Obama, the organization is committed to closing the race and age voting gap and empowering all eligible voters to cast their ballot by harnessing grassroots energy, establishing strategic partnerships, and implementing digital organizing strategies, with the ultimate goal of changing the culture around voting.

Michelle Obama is joined in this effort by fellow Co-Chairs Tom Hanks, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Janelle Monáe, Chris Paul, Faith Hill, Selena Gomez, Liza Koshy, Megan Rapinoe, Shonda Rhimes, Tracee Ellis Ross, Kerry Washington, and Rita Wilson.

We formally condemn the police actions that led to the deaths of Mr. George Floyd, Ms. Breonna Taylor, and countless others who died at the hands of law enforcement. Additionally, we are very concerned and alarmed by a society and justice system that seems to devalue the lives of people of color like Ahmaud Arbery. We offer our heartfelt condolences and prayers to each of these families. The police officers who have been charged with the death of Mr. Floyd must be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

These senseless deaths demand that Justice Must Be Fair, Justice Must Be Transparent, and Justice Must Be Equal!

It is critical that we address the systemic deficiencies that plague law enforcement and disproportionately impact people of color in the judicial system. “NOBLE believes there is work to do and we need to start on that work today,” said NOBLE National President Cerelyn J. Davis. “The changes the protesters are demanding of the police are well within our reach. Humane treatment of all people is well within our reach. A duty to intervene is well within our reach. Removing officers who fail to perform their duties in alignment with policies and the values of the community is well within our reach.”

Kimberly Jeffries Leonard, Ph.D., National President of The Links, Incorporated, believes that like-minded citizens must work together. “Our more than 16,000 members are outraged at the continual targeting of black lives. We believe that working with law enforcement officers who share our values and also want change is an important first step toward reforming a broken system,” said Jeffries Leonard.

NOBLE and The Links, Incorporated believe that a comprehensive approach is required in addressing the issues of police accountability. There must be trust between law enforcement agencies and the communities they are sworn to protect and serve.

We are fully aware that race-related issues in America are complex. Issues within the law enforcement spectrum are a small part of a larger picture which includes an unequal distribution of resources — America will never realize her true potential until all of her citizens are equally valued and protected under the law.

Law enforcement precedent that must be addressed is as follows:

• Police Qualified Immunity: Presently, under federal law, state and local police officers can only be sued in civil court when the officer’s discretionary actions infringed on the civilian’s constitutional rights. The qualified-immunity doctrine shields the officer from any suits unless the officer’s actions violated “clearly established law” to which there is no specific law established.
• National Use-of-Force Policy: The use-of-force policy must include the following:
  • Mandatory de-escalation training AND policy requirements for all sworn officers.
  • Prohibition of all physical restraint maneuvers on or above the neck.
  • Mandatory requirement that officers render immediate medical aid to all people.
  • Mandatory requirement that officers intervene when another officer is using physical force inappropriately or excessively.
• Comprehensive Legislation: National mandates should also address:
  • Mandatory National Law Enforcement Accreditation.
  • Civil Rights Division of the Justice Department enforcement against pattern and practice discrimination described in section 210401 of the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994 (42 U.S.C.A.).
  • Continued appropriations for the Department of Justice Community Relations Service directed towards programs to improve community and police relations.
  • Federal data collection of use-of-force, traffic stops, pedestrian stops, and detentions.

What can you do? Call and write your congressional representative to express your outrage. Let him or her know that legislation enacting police reforms we have outlined above as well as the funding to make them a reality must happen now.

Use the following templates as you call and write. Click here for a list of those who represent you. We must continue to act until there are changes in our cities, our states, and our nation.

NOBLE and The Links, Incorporated demand that Congress act swiftly in passing comprehensive police reform legislation for the benefit of our nation and its legacy.

Washington, D.C. (June 2, 2020) – The NAACP and The Links, Incorporated are releasing a joint statement to express their strong support of the collective outrage and calls for policing reform expressed by residents all over the country in response to the murder of George Floyd by Minneapolis police officers and the recent killings of Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, and others at the hands of current or former law enforcement officers. The nationwide protests represent the anger, pain, fear, and distrust directed toward law enforcement resulting from decades of brutality against African Americans.

For too long, law enforcement and the criminal justice system at large has racially profiled, arrested, convicted, and sentenced African Americans more harshly than the rest of America. As George Floyd’s killing tragically demonstrates, any interaction between an African American and law enforcement can instantaneously become deadly. We will not rest until all the officers involved in these incidents are arrested, charged and convicted. We must ensure that justice is served in each and every case.

The nation’s collective condemnation of police violence against the Black community represents a watershed moment. This is the time for systemic changes to policing in this country. We need federal, state, and local reforms which impose strict police accountability, limit the use of force, eliminate racial profiling, de-militarize law enforcement, track and report data, and ensure proper screening, education and training of all officers. Local law enforcement agencies receive federal funding and must be made to comply with federal civil rights laws.

Derrick Johnson, President and CEO of the NAACP: “Enough is enough. The entire country has reached its limit in terms of deadly police practices. We cannot allow one more Black person to die at the hands of government. Our #WeAreDoneDying campaign is aimed at eliminating racial disparities that are harming our communities and taking our lives. Nowhere is there more systemic injustice than in law enforcement’s treatment of the Black community it is charged with guarding and protecting. We must seize this moment to eliminate racism from policing and to hold every officer accountable for his or her actions.”

Kimberly Jeffries Leonard, Ph.D., National President, The Links, Incorporated: “Our community has reached its breaking point. We cannot take one more death based on race, one more unjust sentence or one more denial of our civil and human rights. The time to speak is now. We must let those in power know that daily rights—jogging, buying personal items, or just sleeping in our home— should not end in a death sentence for Black people. The Links, Incorporated and our 16,000+ members are committed to ensuring the survival of our communities of African descent and the change necessary to do so. We stand with the NAACP’s call for the United Nations to classify the mistreatment of Black people in the United States by the police a human rights violation. We call for incident oversight by review boards and human rights commissions and the use of body cameras for all officers.  We can no longer delay action.  Our collective voice can make a difference. Enough is truly enough. #LinksCallToJustice.”

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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 the NAACP

Founded in 1909, the NAACP is the nation’s oldest and largest nonpartisan civil rights organization. Its members throughout the United States and the world are the premier advocates for civil rights in their communities. You can read more about the NAACP’s work and our six “Game Changer” issue areas here.

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.

New Orleans, LA – Two organizations are coming together to improve relations between communities of color and law enforcement.  The Links, Incorporated and the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives signed a Memorandum of Understanding and will work together in this historic partnership.  Leadership representing both groups met in New Orleans, Louisiana at NOBLE’s 43rd Annual Training Conference and Exhibition.

“This program aims to change how law enforcement and our communities interact, possible saving lives,” National President of The Links, Incorporated Dr. Kimberly Jeffries Leonard said.  She was joined in the effort by NOBLE’s Immediate Past President Vera Bumpers and newly elected NOBLE President C.J. Davis.  Both Bumpers and Davis are also members of The Links, Incorporated.  “There is important work to be done.  NOBLE is in the perfect position to help produce solutions as we continue to strive for equity in the administration of justice for all communities,” said Davis.

A key feature of the partnership is the launch of the PEACE (Police Engagement and Community Education) program.  Through PEACE, Chapters of The Links, Incorporated will engage in panel discussion, town halls and workshops as well as share educational and training materials in their communities which promote understanding and reduce police violence in their communities.  Youth, stakeholders, community groups, government officials, businesses, faith groups and civil rights organizations are also invited to take part in the programs. NOBLE is making available its resources and curriculum in the effort.  PEACE initiatives are set to begin immediately nationwide, especially in areas where there is a history tensions between people of color and law enforcement.

About The Links, Incorporated

The Links, Incorporated is an international nonprofit corporation established in 1946. 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. The organization is more than 16,000 members strong with 288 chapters in 41 states, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of the Bahamas and the United Kingdom.  Links members provide more than 1 million documented hours of community service annually — strengthening their communities and enhancing the nation.  For more information, visit linksinc.org.

About NOBLE

The National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE) serves as the conscience of law enforcement by being committed to Justice by Action. NOBLE has nearly 60 chapters and represents over 3,000 members worldwide that represent chief executive officers and command-level law enforcement officials from federal, state, county, municipal law enforcement agencies, and criminal justice practitioners. The combined fiscal budget oversight of our membership exceeds $8 billion. NOBLE serves more than 60,000 youth through its major program components which include: Mentoring, Education, Leadership Development, and Safety. For more information, visit http://noblenational.org