[Type here]

BHAM

GAZETTE

Newsletter of

Birmingham (AL) Chapter

December 2015

Greetings from the President:

At this time of year, we often stop to reflect on the many blessings that we each have. It is also the time of year when so many give the gift of service. The Birmingham Chapter of the Links, Incorporated has always believed in the gift of service. As we approach our upcoming diamond anniversary, it is only fitting that we reflect on the women of our chapter, who pioneered the notion of service and friendship. During one of most

tumultuous times in our nation’s history, these African American women, in the cradle of the civil rights movement, believed that civil rights also meant serving those most in need. While struggling through the injustices and inequalities of the movement, they also believed that friendship was paramount. How proud are we, the current members of the Birmingham Chapter of the Links, Incorporated to be part of such a rich legacy of visionary women who believed in civic engagement, service and friendship. Today, the members of the Birmingham (AL) Chapter of the Links, Incorporated are still engaged in the community, while cultivating our friendship with one another. Through our five Facet areas: The Arts, Health and Human Services, International Trends, National Trends and Services to Youth, we provide countless hours of service annually to the Birmingham, Alabama community. Our signature program, J.A.M.S. (Joining Artists and Music in Our Schools), cultivates music in the schools, academics success, and provides rich cultural experiences for students in Birmingham City Schools. We are proud of the work that we do in the community and realize that the best is yet to come. Through strategic planning, our chapter will continue to address the diverse needs of the community that we all love. As you gather this season with family and friends, please remember the value of friendship and service. One of the greatest gifts you can give a friend is commitment. For 60 years, the Birmingham Chapter of the Links, Incorporated has been committed to each other as friends, and committed to this community; what a gift indeed.

Link Marquita

G

BIRMINGHAM CHAPTER OFFICERS

President Marquita Furness Davis

Immediate Past President Vanessa Falls

First Vice President Monique Gardner-Witherspoon

Second Vice President Nyya Parson-Hudson Recording Secretary

Martha Emmett Assistant Recording Secretary

Brenda Adams Corresponding Secretary

Deveta Peoples Treasurer

Kim Hitchens Financial Secretary Angelene Whatley

Historian Samuetta Nesbitt Parliamentarian

Stephanie Rayborn Chaplain

Camelia Holmes Organizational Effectiveness Chair

Cathy Bradford

FACET CHAIRS Services to Youth

Erica Prewitt The Arts

Anne Hooks National Trends and Services

Debra Nelson International Trends and Services

Rhonda Cantelow Health and Human Services

Deveta Peoples

MEMBERS Ronda K. Bell

Mia Cowan Carnetta N. Davis Daagye Hendricks Gaynell Hendricks

Diann Jackson Janine Pearson Johnson

Jewrette Yovonne Johnson Cheryl Anderson Kidd

Bobbie Knight Carol Kirby McElderry

Anabela Simon-Lee Shandra Jackson Smith

Demetruis Taylor Tamara Jones Travis

Debra Weston-Pickens Cheryl Cephus Vickers

Iris Williams

PLATINUM MEMBERS Richardene B. Chadwell

Merlyn White Evans ALUMNI MEMBERS

Lydia Lewis Alexander Maxine Anderson Collins

Margaret Gore Cason Minnie W. Finley Juanita O. Hixon

Mamie Helen Hymes Tamara Harris Johnson

Constance Gardner Jones

Gloria Kennon Josie Gardner Kirby Helen Shores Lee

Helen M. Lewis Dannetta K. Thornton Owens

Barbara S. Shores

Bham Gazette December 2015

2

VANESSA FALLS ELECTED BY SOUTHERN AREA

Congratulations to the Birmingham Chapter's immediate past president, Link Vanessa Falls, who was elected Southern Area Secretary of The Links, Incorporated on May 14, 2015 at the 43rd Southern Area Conference in Birmingham, Al. Link Vanessa, a former educator and current Executive Vice President of Falls Facility Services, possesses the skills necessary to help lead the Southern Area to greater heights. We are so very proud of her. In October, Southern Area Director, Link Anne Herriot appointed Birmingham Chapter member Link Carnetta Davis as Southern Area Arts Facet Chair. Link Carnetta, a patron of the

arts, avid art collector and retired engineer will be a good fit for the position. Link Vanessa and Link Carnetta have been friends since their days as Birmingham Chapter Jack and Jill Mothers where they both served as Teen Sponsors. They were initiated into the Birmingham Chapter on the same day in 2003 and have served our chapter diligently. Congratulations to our chapter members who are serving our organization beyond the chapter level.

BIRMINGHAM (AL) CHAPTER SPONSORS KATHLEEN BATTLE PERFORMANCE

The performance by superstar soprano Kathleen Battle at the Alys Stephens Performing Arts Center on Saturday, October 17, titled "A Spiritual Journey: Music from the Underground Railroad", was amazing. Ms. Battle, accompanied by Joel Martin on piano, performed selections with the assistance of the very talented Aeolians of Oakwood University. We are proud of our own Link Gaynell Hendricks, a longtime member of the Alys Stephens Center Board of Directors, who introduced Ms. Battle and also narrated from the readings of Harriet Tubman on stage at the event. The Birmingham Chapter was proud to sponsor

this event. Chapter members met the five-time Grammy award-winning soprano at a reception after the performance.

Link Vanessa Falls

Southern Area Secretary

Link Carnetta Davis

Southern Area Arts

Facet Chair

Bham Gazette December 2015

3

NATIONAL FRIENDSHIP MONTH Brunch, Brush and bond Paint Party

“Pablo Picasso, Jacob Lawrence and Betye Saar have nothing on my Link Sisters! Not many people can laugh, paint, and drink Mimosas at the same time…but my Link Sisters can!” said Social Committee Chair, Link Tamara Travis. The Birmingham (AL) Chapter began National Friendship Month on November 1 by participating in "Brunch, Brush and Bond Paint Party" at the Birmingham Museum of Art. Members increased the bonds of friendship during a Jazz Brunch that was followed by an opportunity to create unique

painted aprons. Artist, Pansy Nelson, assisted by young art students, provided instruction and guidance to insure that all went home with a beautiful work of art. The Social Committee, led by Link Tam Travis and Link Anne Hooks, planned an outstanding event.

Bham Gazette December 2015

4

“THINK PINK DAY”

On Saturday, October 17, 2015 the Birmingham (Al) Chapter participated in the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure event day activities. The day began at 6 a.m. where chapter members set up tables and unpacked cases of water, fruit and cookies. The Birmingham Chapter, along with several other groups, volunteered at the finish line food area where runners, walkers and observers alike stopped by for nourishment before, during and after the race.

The Arts Facet of the Birmingham (AL) Chapter, assisted by the Health and Human Services, Services to Youth and National Trends and Services Facets, kicked off the chapter’s participation in the National Poster Art Competition this fall at Our Lady of Fatima (OLF) Catholic School. This year’s theme: “Healthy, Energetic, Active Lifestyles Matter- Make Health a Habit” goes hand in hand with our national organization’s theme of “Building a Healthy Legacy: Our Prescription for the Future”. The Birmingham Chapter’s integrated project titled Creating a Picture of Health, began with a Health Fair in the school gym that was coordinated by chapter members. All students at the K-8 school participated. Links members and community partners from local health and wellness organizations staffed

Bham Gazette December 2015

5

booths for the event. The students were also provided with samples of healthy snacks, dental kits and other items. Future events have also been planned for this program. On December 1 and December 8, the chapter arranged field trips for the students to the Birmingham Museum of Art where they were provided docent-led tours and they also received visual art instruction from the museum’s Education Department staff. This inner city school does not have full time art instruction so this service was much needed and appreciated. The students used their newly acquired skills to create poster art that reflects our National Poster Art Competition theme. After the students finished their art work, they were treated to lunch at the museum. Early next year, over seventy (70) art projects will be judged, prizes will

be awarded and our local award-winning posters in each age group will be submitted for the National Poster Art Competition.

SAYING NO TO BULLYING

The National Trends and Services Facet launched its Life Skills Series in October at the AG Gaston Boys & Girls Club. The goal of the program is to provide life skills training to help youths thrive academically and personally. Participants in the after school program ranged in ages 12 to 15 years. The first session "Disrupting Bullying in Cyberspace" was moderated by Abby Litovsky, Suicide Prevention Coordinator at The Crisis Center. The topic coincided with the Birmingham community's observance of National Bullying Month. Litovsky led the young people in an interactive discussion about bullying whereby several reported that they had experienced bullying or participated in some form of bullying. She also helped them identify strategies and tactics to use if bullied. At the conclusion of the session, the students acknowledged a responsibility for preventing and eliminating hurtful behaviors. They

Bham Gazette December 2015

6

also voluntarily applauded Litovsky for her presentation. National Trends and Services Facet Chair Link Debra Nelson was joined at the session by Links Demetrius Taylor and Angeline Whately. Following the session, the youths were treated to refreshments provided by the members.

JAMS NEWS On November 9, The Birmingham Chapter took our JAMS (Joining Artists and Musicians in the Schools) students on a tour of Summit Media Group, an integrated broadcasting, digital media, direct marketing and events company. The students learned that a great deal of the hard work and effort goes into producing a radio program. They thoroughly enjoyed the tour and also enjoyed getting to meet with on-air personalities and Summit staff!

Bham Gazette December 2015

7

BIRMINGHAM CHAPTER ENCOURAGES STEM EDUCATION The Chapter’s Services to Youth Facet is partnering with A.H. Parker High School to promote STEM Education in schools. Link Diann Jackson presented an informative, interesting and fun presentation on Computer Programming and Coding. Birmingham Chapter members also presented the students who will participate on the robotics team with their robotics kit. They were so excited for the opportunity to code online missions and cannot wait to get started building their robots!

Bham Gazette December 2015

8

Congratulations to Heir-o-Link, Tiffany Turner, co-owner of, Naughty But Nice Kettle Corn, for taking home the second place prize of $5,000 in the Big Pitch Competition. The Big Pitch is a shark tank-style business plan contest designed to provide 10 contestants with mentoring, business development, pitch coaching, professional services, and a chance at seed capital that will take their startup dreams to the next level. The judges of the Big Pitch were so impressed with Tiffany’s company’s presentation and business plan that Naughty But Nice Kettle Corn also advanced to enter negotiations for investments up to $100,000!

Link Carnetta Davis was elected to the Board of Directors of the Women’s Fund of Greater Birmingham. The mission of the organization is to create positive change for women and their children through collaboration, grant making, and advocacy. An article on the art collection of Link Carnetta Davis and Connecting Link Norm Davis was featured in the November issue of b-Metro magazine. The article can be found in printed version or on line at http://b-metro.com/thecollection/23576/ Link Jewrette J. Johnson was reappointed to the Birmingham - Jefferson County Civic Center Authority Board of Directors by election by the Jefferson County Senate delegation chaired by Senator Jabo Waggoner at their October meeting. She was also re-elected as vice-chairman of the BJCC Board of Director's at its October 21, 2015, Board of Director's meeting, one day after being reappointed to the BJCC board of directors.

Link Debra Nelson was honored recently at the 35th anniversary gala of the Urban Chamber of Commerce in Las Vegas, Nevada, for her past service as Chairman of the Board. During her tenure, she successfully led negotiations that helped the Chamber secure the operations of a multimillion incubator in partnership with the City of Las Vegas. The facility is now a hub for the development and training of small and minority businesses. She also oversaw the relocation of the Chamber's office to its current location in the business empowerment zone.

Bham Gazette December 2015

9

The Bham Gazette is published quarterly. Past issues can be found on our website at www.bhamlinksinc.org