Greetings from the President!

The Links, Incorporated is an international, non-profit, volunteer corporation, established in 1946. The Links membership consists of 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 oldest and largest volunteer organization of committed and talented women linked in friendship to serve, enrich, improve and sustain the cultural, educational and economic survival of African Americans and other persons of African ancestry.

The Louisville (KY) Chapter of the Links, Incorporated was chartered in 1951. For over 70 years we have been true to our national’s core values of friendship, integrity, honesty, service commitment, courage, respect for self and others, responsibility and accountability as we serve our community of Louisville. The outstanding programming of the Links, Incorporated has five facets which includes National Trends and Services, The Arts, Services to Youth, International Trends and Services, and Health and Human Services. The programs are implemented through strategies, such as public information and education, economic development, and public policy campaigns.

Our chapter’s strategies are aligned with the national strategic plan and focus on delivering and sustaining transformational programs that are community relevant, with a positive, long-term impact. Our chapter has a history of partnership with Catholic Charities, Big Brothers and Big Sisters, neighboring churches, AARP, NAACP, JCPS, and other community organizations. We have worked for many years with the children in the Park Hill Community in the educational, cultural and health areas. We have a strong legacy of making a difference (big and small) in our community.

Thank you, Louisville, for your support of our programs. We are proud to be a part of this great community. We look forward to working with you and other organizations to promote the spirit of service and volunteerism to make a difference in our community.

Sincerely,
Tamea D. Evans 

President, Louisville (KY) Chapter 

The Links Incorporated 

The 5 Facets of Links

The outstanding programming of The Links, Incorporated has five facets. The programs are implemented through strategies such as public information and education, economic development, and public policy campaigns.

Services to Youth

Young people face a number of unique challenges today. They are called upon to maintain a diligent focus on academic development often in an environment which is not hospitable to such pursuits. Our Services to Youth Programs have provided venues where young people who live in one of our communities most challenged neighborhoods can discuss health issues, peer pressure, and their own personal development goals. We’ve taught etiquette skills, including appropriate table manners and speaking skills. In addition, we’ve sponsored book clubs and taken young people on a college tour of nearby Kentucky State University. All of these activities have been done in an effort to affirm the value of each child and to remind them that notwithstanding their current circumstances; the sky is the limit!

National Trends and Services

The programmatic thrust of this facet has been to provide community programs that increase awareness of issues affecting the quality of life for African Americans. These disparities significantly affect African Americans in the areas of education, income, health, employment, and other social indicators of wellbeing. As the leadership and chapters of The Links, Incorporated examine national trends to plan services that will make an impact on our communities, it is clear that racial and ethnic disparities are the underlying factors that lead to those issues of concern identified and addressed by our programming. This facet focuses on eliminating disparities to reduce barriers to services through leadership, education and service.

International Trends and Services

International Trends and Services focuses upon the educational, health and cultural needs of people of African descent throughout the world. Our activities include economic empowerment, education for youth, health initiatives and public policy leadership in advocating for social justice. Currently, we are working to provide Mama Kits to mothers in developing countries in an effort to reduce morbidity and negative health effects to both mothers and children during childbirth.

The Arts

The Arts Facet has given the Louisville Chapter of the Links, Incorporated an opportunity to assist children in developing their own artistic talents, create a sense of cultural pride, and inspire children to understand the unique role the arts play in enhancing the quality of life for everyone. We have not only taken children to plays and museums, we have also given them an opportunity to develop their own acting skills and art objects. The Links, Incorporated has a strong and rich record of support for the performing and visual arts, especially where it focuses on the presentation of artists of color.

Health and Human Services

The Links, Incorporated has established the Health and Human Services facet in response to the chronic health disparities that persist in our communities and result in the decreased life expectancy of African Americans. This new facet brings greater focus, resources and coordination to The Links, Incorporated’s health initiatives already in existence.