Members of The Links, Incorporated leave positive mark on Detroit….
The membership of The Links, Incorporated has included some of the most successful women of African ancestry. And nearly 65 years since it was founded, The Links remains committed to “enriching, sustaining and ensuring the culture and economic survival of African Americans and other persons of African ancestry.”
Detroit recently witnessed The Links’ commitment, when more than 2,500 members gathered at Cobo Center for the organization’s 37th National Assembly, June 30- July 4. The participants included Linda Forte, immediate past president of The Links’ Renaissance chapter in Detroit.
“The six metro Detroit chapters joined together to assist in the coordination of a remarkable conference experience for Links Incorporated members,” said Forte, senior vice president of Business Affairs for Comerica Bank, a sponsor of the conference.
In addition to the conference, The Links presented a gift that will have a lasting impact on Detroit. The organization’s $50,000 donation supported the construction of the new Focus: HOPE Family Learning Center. Located at 1355 Oakman, the center will provide computer training, Internet access, financial and computer literacy education, health information, tutoring and homework assistance, and much more.
Links members participated in the June 29 grand opening, and added to the day by providing vision and dental screenings, “Ask the Doctor” sessions, information on health care careers, and children’s activities.
“Many people know Links members because of who we are socially, but community service is our focus,” said Vivian Pickard, who served as lead liaison for The Links’ 2010 National Assembly.
During the conference, one of the highlights was the presentation of a posthumous Lifetime Achievement Award to Dr. Dorothy Height, whose civil rights activism spanned nearly 80 years.
Pickard said honoring Dr. Height was part of a glorious, five-day event described by many out-of-town members as the best national assembly in the organization’s history.
“For the members of our six chapters in metropolitan Detroit and Ann Arbor to come together and showcase our city to so many influential people, I think that’s what our local members are most proud of,” Pickard said. “And our guests will take that positive message about Detroit back to their towns.”