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BHAM

GAZETTE

Newsletter of

The Links, Incorporated

Birmingham Chapter

July 2014

Greetings from the President:

My Dear Sister Links, I hope you are enjoying the beautiful sunshine and the warm summer weather. I also hope you have taken this time to relax, reflect, and refresh.

The great honored poet, and essayist, Maya Angelou, once said: "I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel." It is my hope that through your membership in our beloved organization, The Links, Incorporated, your Link Sisters have made you feel loved, wonderful, strong, and special.

I believe that it was not by accident that two friends, Margaret Hawkins and Sarah Scott, envisioned an organization that would respond to the needs and aspirations of Black women in ways that existing clubs did not. This club was developed by inviting friends to work together to serve. I am sure that Links Margaret and Sarah knew that when members interact on a continuous basis for the duration of a program or project, they develop friendships and a sense of unity. Thus, the members become, Linked in Friendship, Connected in Service.

I am very proud to say that each member of the Birmingham (AL) Chapter has a true commitment to service to our community, state, and to the world. The chapter’s recognition at this year’s 39th National Assembly, in National Harbor, Maryland, was a true indication of our answer to the call of The Links, Incorporated to serve with purpose.

I would like to thank each of you for the Birmingham (AL) Chapter’s success during the 2013-14 programming year. I am deeply grateful to the dedicated officers, facet chairs, and committee members who gave long hours, input and dedication to further our programs of service in the name of Linkdom. The skills and experience you bring to the table are invaluable to the productivity of our programs. My Link Sisters, through your efforts, the Birmingham community, the state and the world is strengthened.

I look forward to another year of commitment to the wonderful legacy of our chapter, and to increasing our friendship through service.

With abiding love and friendship,

Link Vanessa

G

BIRMINGHAM CHAPTER OFFICERS

President Link Vanessa Falls

Vice President Link Janine Pearson Johnson

Second Vice President Marquita Furness Davis Recording Secretary

Link Monique Gardner-Witherspoon Assistant Recording Secretary

Link Anne Hooks Corresponding Secretary Link Malena Cunningham

Treasurer Link Angelene Whatley Financial Secretary Link Brenda Adams

Historian Link Carnetta Nabors Davis

Parliamentarian Link Samuetta Nesbitt

Chaplain Link Camelia Holmes

Program ChairLink Cathy Bradford

FACET CHAIRS Services to Youth Link Erica Prewitt

The Arts Link Anne Hooks

National Trends and Services Link Nyya Parson-Hudson

International Trends and Services Link Martha Emmett

Health and Human Services Link Marquita Furness Davis

MEMBERS

Link Ronda K. Bell Link Rhonda Cantelow

Link Mia Cowan Link Daagye Hendricks Link Gaynell Hendricks

Link Kim Hitchens Link Diann Jackson

Link Marva Owens James Link Jewrette Yovonne Johnson

Link Cheryl Anderson Kidd Link Bobbie Knight

Link Carol Kirby McElderry Link Debra Nelson

Link Deveta Peoples Link Stephanie Rayborn Link Anabela Simon-Lee

Link Shandra Jackson Smith Link Demetruis Taylor

Link Tamara Jones Travis Link Debra Weston-Pickens Link Cheryl Cephus Vickers

Link Iris Williams Link Bonika Wilson

PLATINUM MEMBERS

Link Richardene B. Chadwell Link Merlyn White Evans

ALUMNI MEMBERS Link Lydia Lewis Alexander

Link Maxine Anderson Collins Link Margaret Gore Cason

Link Minnie W. Finley Link Juanita O. Hixon

Link Mamie Helen Hymes Link Tamara Harris Johnson

Link Constance Gardner Jones

Link Gloria Kennon Link Josie Gardner Kirby Link Helen Shores Lee

Link Helen M. Lewis Link Ceola H. Montgomery

Link Dannetta K. Thornton Owens Link Barbara S. Shores

Bham Gazette July 2014

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JAMS GOES TO SAKS

The Birmingham (AL) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated collaborated with Saks Fifth Avenue to help raise funds and awareness of the chapter’s JAMS (Joining Artists and Music in the Schools) program. JAMS students performed their 2013-2014 Finale at Saks in tuxedo shirts and ties provided by the program while customers browsed and shopped to support this fundraising event. Proceeds from the event will assist in ensuring the future success of the JAMS Program.

The students, their parents, and Birmingham Chapter members were all excited to take part in this event. Saks patrons were impressed with the musical talent of the students from Putnam Middle School and Ossie Ware Mitchell Middle School.

JAMS STUDENTS RECOGNIZED AT PUTNAM

On Thursday, May 29, the principal and band director at Putnam Middle School hosted an Awards Dinner for their band, JAMS students and their parents. During this activity, The Birmingham Chapter presented the JAMS students with jackets specifically designed and purchased for them from Jack and Jill Foundation Grant funds.

L-R: - Link Vanessa Falls, Link Kim Hitchens, Putnam JAMS Students, Link Carol Kirby McElderry and Link Diann Jackson

Bham Gazette July 2014

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“AN EVENING WITH FRIENDS” GALA The Birmingham (AL) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated held its first “An Evening with Friends” gala on May 17th at the Harbert Center. About 350 people were on hand for the fundraising themed event that brought in over $50,000 that will be used to support the chapter’s programs. Links Bobbie Knight and Debra Nelson served as co-chairs of the gala that began with a strolling fashion show sponsored by SAKS Fifth Avenue and a live music reception featuring Birmingham

native Kim Scott, a nationally renown jazz flautist. Guests also bid on auction items that included a personal shopper and gift certificate from SAKS Fifth Avenue, a three day, two night stay with limousine and dinner from MGM Resorts International in Las Vegas, original artwork, and other items.

Following the reception, guests were ushered upstairs for the dinner. This year’s event featured an inspired menu prepared by The Harbert Center’s in-house caterer, Southern Foodservice, led by Chef William Walton.

Guests danced to music by the band Kliche´ that featured Birmingham School Superintendent and Connecting Link, Dr. Craig Witherspoon, on saxophone. Proceeds from the event will benefit the educational

and community service programs sponsored by the Birmingham (AL) Chapter of the Links, Incorporated. One of those programs is JAMS, Joining Artists and Musicians in Schools. Currently 30 students at Putnam and Ossie Ware Mitchell Middle Schools take part in the program that provides music education, instruments and interaction with various artists.

ARTS FACET NEWS The Arts Facet awarded Raven Horn, 1st Place winner of our chapter's National Poster Competition, a scholarship to ASFA's Visual Arts Summer Camp. Raven was a fifth grade student at Glen Iris when she won first place in Category II. The scholarship provided Raven an opportunity to try her hand and eye at both drawing and printmaking. This young and gifted artist was introduced to a variety of arts materials and techniques such as figure drawing, perspective and etching. Raven enjoyed a wonderful week at ASFA, from June 16 -20, experimenting and learning skills that will be helpful in her later art study. It is our hope that Raven, our budding artist, will continue to pursue a rewarding career in art. We expect to hear great things from her in the future.

Bham Gazette July 2014

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NATIONAL ASSEMBLY NEWS BIRMINGHAM CHAPTER WINS 1ST PLACE AWARD

Members of the Birmingham (AL) Chapter traveled to the 39th Assembly of The Links, Incorporated held on July 2nd through July 6th in National Harbor, Maryland, just minutes away from our nation’s capital. The theme of this year’s Assembly was: Leading with Excellence - Serving with Grace: Vision, Voice, Impact. Link Vanessa Falls (center) receives national award

The outstanding programming of The Links, Incorporated has five facets which include

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. During the National Assembly, chapters are honored and recognized for their outstanding programming in these five facets. The Birmingham (AL) Chapter won 1st Place for its program: Increasing Global Awareness-Linking With Liberia, which is an integrated program of three facets: International Trends and Services, The Arts and Services to Youth. The purpose of this program is as follows:

To increase the awareness of global issues affecting young people and encourage young people to

consider leadership and international careers.

To foster an international relationship between students in the Birmingham School System and the

students in Liberia at the School for the Blind.

To develop an understanding of the importance of volunteering and underscore the importance of

helping the less fortunate in their communities, state, country and world through philanthropic

efforts.

To leave a tangible footprint for the students at the School for the Blind in Liberia from the students

at Phillips Academy through a meaningful art piece ( a tactile quilt) as an act of goodwill and

collaboration between the Birmingham City Schools and Liberia.

The Birmingham (AL) Chapter was also given Best Practice Awards for the following facets: The Arts for Joining Music and Artists in the Schools (JAMS), International Trends and Services for Increasing Global

Awareness- Linking with Liberia and for Integrated Programs. L-r: - Links Carnetta Davis, Vanessa Falls, Cathy Bradford, Carol Kirby McElderry and Malena Cunningham presented at the Archives and History Workshop

Members of the Birmingham (AL) Chapter were also asked to present at the assembly to over 200 Links members at the Archives and History workshop because of the chapter’s outstanding archiving process. The workshop was led by the chapter’s Historian, Carnetta Davis along with Vanessa Falls,

Bham Gazette July 2014

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President and members, Cathy Bradford, Malena Cunningham and Carol Kirby McElderry. Members attending the 39th Assembly from the Birmingham (AL) Chapter were: Vanessa Falls, President, Ronda Bell, who served on the National Assembly Logistics Committee, Cathy Bradford, Malena Cunningham, Carnetta Davis, Marquita Davis, Carol Kirby McElderry and Debra Nelson.

16TH NATIONAL PRESIDENT ELECTED Congratulations to our 16th National President Glenda Newell-Harris, M.D. of the Alameda Contra-Costa (CA) Chapter. We also extend congratulations to our new National Vice President Kimberly Jeffries Leonard, Ph.D. of the Arlington (VA) Chapter, our new National Recording Secretary Clara Lee of the Farmington Valley (CT) Chapter, our new National Treasurer Carolyn Lewis of the Pontchartrain (LA) Chapter, and our new National Nominating Committee Chair Kim Mumby Green of the Fairfield County (CT) Chapter. Link Glenda Newell-Harris, 16th National President

CHAPTER PROGRAM CHAIRMAN APPOINTED BY SOUTHERN AREA Southern Area Director Eneid A. Francis is pleased to announce the 2014-2015 Southern Area Organizational Effectiveness Committee that is chaired by Link Faye Hargrove.

The Mission: Strategically Enhancing the Chapter Experience

The Birmingham (AL) Chapter is proud that our Program Chairman, Link Cathy Bradford, has been appointed to represent our chapter on this Southern Area Committee.

Pictured - Link Cathy Camille Bradford

Link sisters, join us in applauding our sisters who have stepped forward to work in tandem with our service mission of transformational programming to facilitate meaningful and effective friendship cultures throughout chapters in the Southern Area. Nominated by their chapter, the following Organizational Effectiveness chairs will be educated in strategic techniques and initiatives designed to enhance and improve our membership experience as we continue to Effect Change Through the Power of Friendship and Service. – Eneid Francis

L-R: - Links Malena Cunningham, Cathy Bradford, Vanessa Falls, Carnetta Davis and Carol Kirby McElderry

L-R: - Links Marquita Davis, Malena Cunningham, and Carnetta Davis

Bham Gazette July 2014

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MESSAGE FROM THE AREA DIRECTOR

UPCOMING EVENTS

ANNUAL RETREAT

The Chapter’s annual retreat is scheduled for August 8th and 9th at the Sheraton Civic Center. The Executive Team is working hard to make this retreat both fun and informative. On Friday we will have a wonderful evening of fellowship, and on Saturday we will get down to the business of Linkdom and planning for our programming year. Please see below the information concerning the hotel accommodations at the Sheraton. We will take advantage of Birmingham’s UPTOWN area as we dine on Friday night and enjoy some of the exciting new entertainment venues.

Bham Gazette July 2014

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GOOD NEWS

Heir-o-Link Julian Robert Nehemiah Jackson, son of Link Diann and Connecting Link Adolphus Jackson, graduated from Howard University on May 10, 2014, with a Bachelor of Arts degree in History and a minor in Biology. On Friday, June 13, 2014, Link Jewrette (J. J.) Johnson, was re-elected by the Jefferson County, Alabama, House of Representatives delegation to a third term on the Birmingham - Jefferson County Civic Center Board of Directors. Link J. J. Is currently serving as vice-chairman of the BJCC Board of Directors. She is the first black female to ever serve with this distinction.

Link Samuetta Nesbitt is a graduate of Leadership Shelby County Class of 2014! Congratulations!

Selections from the art collection of Link Carnetta Davis and Connecting Link Norm Davis are currently on display at Piedmont College’s Mason-Scharfenstein Museum of Art in Demorest, GA. Please join them there for a reception on August 21, 2014, 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. at the museum in Demorest, GA. Link Carnetta and Connecting Link Norm Davis have donated an important work of art to the Birmingham Museum of Art (BMA). A still life, oil on board painting by noted African American artist, Charles Ethan Porter, created in 1884 will be a major addition to the BMA holdings.

43RD SOUTHERN AREA CONFERENCE

The Birmingham Cluster, comprised of the Birmingham, Magic City and Tri-County Chapters of The Links, Incorporated will host the 43rd Southern Area Conference at the Birmingham-Jefferson County Civic Center complex on May 13 - 17, 2015. Link Eneid A. Francis, Southern Area Director, has appointed a steering committee to organize the five day conference. Link Tracey Morant Adams of the Tri-County chapter was tapped to be Area Liaison for the cluster. Several Birmingham Chapter members will serve in key leadership roles.

Bham Gazette July 2014

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Connecting Link Walter Body was promoted to Director of Multi-cultural Marketing and Consumer for the Central Region of Coca Cola Bottling United. Heir-O-Link Dr. Erica Nicole Parker and her husband Dr. Joel Parker are the proud parents of a new bundle of joy, Caden Elliott Parker. The proud grandmother is Link Tamara Harris Johnson.

The Bham Gazette is published quarterly in the months of July, October, January, and April. Past issues can be

found on our website at www.bhamlinksinc.org Please submit all photos to Link Carnetta Davis

(cdavis9616@gmail.com) and all articles and other written items to Link Brenda Adams (bpadams58@aol.com)

for editing.