2024 TPC White Rose Luncheon Journal

W 2024 hite Rose Luncheon

2024 Sponsors

The Triangle Park (NC) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated wishes to thank our 2024 sponsors for their generous support.

GOLD SPONSOR

SILVER SPONSOR

EMERALD SPONSORS

SUPPORTERS

CBC/WRAL Community Fund at Triangle Community Foundation

Message from the Chapter President

June 8, 2024

Dear Friends, Sponsors and Partners,

Greetings on behalf of the Triangle Park (NC) Chapter of The Links Incorporated. It is remarkable that the Triangle Park (NC) Chapter proudly commemorates this historic milestone of four decades of outstanding service in the Triangle communities of Wake, Durham, and Orange County. We are indebted to our charter members for creating a legacy of excellence and exceptional leadership of service in the triangle communities while aligning with our organizational principles.

For our celebration, we are extremely excited and grateful to have our Southern Area Director, Mrs. Vanessa Falls, to join us on this momentous occasion. She is the catalytic agent t of this organization’s vision and mission that inspires our true purpose of service.

Triangle Park has been committed to transforming communities by providing exceptional educational programs and scholarships to our youth, while providing a platform for youths to explore the Arts. Our initiatives have also included advocating for better healthcare services, and maintaining a focus on the social and economic justices that shape our communities. Our commitment to children, families, and communities has been vast on a national and international level, facilitated through outreach and charitable assistance programs.

Through our five facet programs; the Arts, Services to Youth, National Trends and Services, International Trends and Services, and Health and Human Services, we have been successful in meeting the needs of many people of color and accomplishing our goals. With over eighty-five members inclusive of our Alumna members and remaining charter members, we have been a beacon of hope and transition for communities. Through your support, we are forever thankful and grateful for the contributions of donors, partners and sponsors supporting our endeavors in obtaining our goals.

To our friends, partners, and sponsors, thank you for being a part of this extraordinary journey of service and friendship of forty years. Your support and generosity have been significant in our mission of touching lives and creating opportunities of hope. As you celebrate this outstanding milestone with us, we thank you, and we look forward to your continued support as we implement many more years of compassionate and sustainable services in the triangle community.

With heartfelt thanks and gratitude, Katherine

Katherine Everett, President

Triangle Park (NC) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated®

June 8, 2024

Greetings,Sister Links,

On behalf of more than17,000 members of The Links, Incorporated, I am immensely proud to congratulate the members of the Triangle Park (NC) Chapter on your 40th Chapter Anniversary as you celebrate in style with “TheWhiteRoseLuncheon:ChampagneEdition.”

As you reflect on youraccomplishments over40 years, youhave embraced and delivered exceptional community service in Morrisville, North Carolina, and abroad, reflecting our organization's mission andnational programs of focus.

Since this chapter's chartering on June 9, 1984, twenty-six visionary women have been committed to the principles of friendship and service. Your work has left a steadfast and noteworthy legacy. You have faithfully served the community with excellence. Your stellar programming and commitment to our mission of friends transforming communities through service havebeen remarkable, emphasizingeducation, improving healthcare to empower communities of color, and improving the needs of families and children.

I applaud the leadership of Chapter President Katherine Everettand the entire Chapter for your outstanding service. As we celebrate your 40 years of service, I am reminded of the tenets on which our illustrious organization was founded. Excellence continues to guide us in practicing those tenets and achievingour purpose.I am deeply grateful for your contributions to our organization and the community.

Thank youfor your dedication and rich legacy of making an extraordinary impact onthe lives of others.On this occasion, I congratulate you and celebrate with you as you commemorate 40 Years of service. I also celebrate your outstanding work toward fulfilling our organization's mission— Friends Transforming Communities through Service. May we continue to move forward together!

Yours in friendship and service,

Ethel Isaacs Williams, J.D. National President

OfficeoftheSouthernAreaDirector

June 8, 2024

Greetings Triangle Park(NC) Chapter,

It is my honor and privilege to bring you greetings and best wishes as the Southern Area Director of The Links, Incorporated. On behalf of the 5, 000 members of the Southern Area, it gives me enormous pride to congratulate you on your 40th Anniversary and the “White Rose Champagne Edition Luncheon”. Your chapter’s efforts demonstrate the significance of Leading with Intentional Friendship and Service.

For four decades, the Triangle Park (NC) Chapter has delivered impactful and sustainable service through the five major programmatic thrusts of The Links, Incorporated: Services to Youth, The Arts, National Trends and Services, International Trends and Services and Health and Human Services. Your efforts have been significant, profound, and far-reaching. Of note are the partnerships you have established and leveraged with other local organizations to serve the community. I applaud your hard work as demonstrated through your programs such as your mentoring Sister Program, whose tagline is, I Am Enough, and delivering quality healthcare education on breast cancer awareness, childhood obesity and COVID prevention to the community. The Triangle Park (NC) Chapterhas been generous in giving back to the community to build resources, increase education, and improve healthcare to empower communities of color.

The Southern Area is stronger because of your unwavering commitment to the mission of our beloved organization, The Links, Incorporated. Thank you for representing the ideals of our organization with grace and distinction. I am confident you will continue this level of outstanding service because your efforts truly exemplify the power and impact of Friends Transforming Communities Through Service. I wish you much continued success.

Warmestregards,

Vanessa a Falls s

Vanessa Falls

Southern Area Director

2024 White Rose Luncheon Co-Chairs

Greetings Friends and Guests,

It is an honor to welcome each of you to the Triangle Park (NC) Chapter’s 40th Anniversary Luncheon. This is an opportunity to share with you some of our accomplishments over the last forty years and raise funds for our numerous community service initiatives. For the past forty years, the Triangle Park (NC) Chapter has been dedicated to community outreach in Durham, Orange, and Wake Counties. We pride ourselves on making a positive difference in the lives of those we serve. However, it is not possible without your generosity and support that you have given us over the years.

Please peruse our Souvenir Journal and take note of the programs and service projects carried out by our five facets. We also ask that you review the various businesses and organizations that support us. Take pride in knowing that you played a vital part in bringing the programs to fruition.

Enjoy your evening with us as we celebrate “friendship and service”. Many thanks again for your philanthropy!

Sincerely,

Rebecca Gilliam

Rebecca Gilliam

Norma Petway Smith

Norma Petway Smith

Rebecca Gilliam CHAIR

Norma Petway Smith CO-CHAIR

May17, 2024

Triangle Park (NC) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated(TPC)

P.O.997

Morrisville,NC 27560

DearMembers of the Triangle Park (NC) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated,

I am pleased to offer my congratulations tothe membershipand friendsoftheTriangle Park(NC) Chapterof The Links,Incorporatedas you celebrate your40th Anniversary. I sendmy highest regards to you as we honor the legacy of the Triangle Park (NC) Chapter of The Links, Incorporatedand the numerous individuals advancing its missionto sustain the cultural and economic survival of all people of African ancestry.

As you look back with pride on the years of theChapter,please take a moment to reflect on how the organizationhas positively impacted the lives of countless citizens across the Trianglearea. Yourleadership and service have helped reshapeOrange, Durham, and Wake countiesfor the better.

I extend my best wishes to you as you celebrate this momentous event. I am proud to be a member of this most caring, compassionate,and committed service organization and look forward to TPC’s continued service to our communities.

Sincerely,

Valerie P. Foushee MEMBER OF CONGRESS

June 1st, 2024

Dear Members of Triangle Park Chapter of The Links Incorporated:

I, Mayor Leonardo Williams, would like to thank and congratulate the women of the Triangle Park (NC) Chapter of The Links Incorporated on 40 years of service in Durham, Wake and Orange Counties. Your work to provide Cultural, Civic and Educational opportunities to communities of color is outstanding. Your efforts to strengthen our community through promoting quality healthcare, educational scholarships, voter rights and social justice initiatives speak volumes to the caliber of this organization.

I would also like to applaud all the women who have given their time, talent, and means to make the work of this organization meaningful. Your impact is felt beyond our local community and serves as inspiration to know that there are organizations in the Durham area that reach out to serve others as you do and reflect your motto “Linked in Friendship, Connected in Service”.

Once again, congratulations and best wishes for many more impactful years.

In Service and Gratitude,

Leonardo Williams, Mayor City of Durham

Triangle Park (NC) Chapter Members

Tawannah Allen-Jackson, Ed.D.

Shirley Arrington, Ed.D.

Florence Bowens Avent, Esq. **

Katrina H. Avery, M.D.

Lisa Barnes

Cheri Beasley, Esq.

Edna Earle Blue

Samatha D. Brown-Saletnik

Lorie-Ann Lee-Carter

Bernadine Cobb

Robin L. Crawford

Cassandra Deck-Brown

Kimberly Dorman

Chanda Douglas-Ward

Chelsea Draper

Joelle M. Duren

Indira Everett

Katherine S. Everett

Kathy Everett-Perry, Esq.

Valerie P. Foushee

Becky Beckwith-Scott

Chacona Baugh

Angela McAlister Berry

Gladys C. Burnette, Ed.D.

Esther Coleman

Carolyn B. Cureton

Stellyne Curtis

Ann J. Edmonds

Phyllis A. Gray **

Cheri J. Harrell **

Deryl Davis Fulmer, Ph.D.

Rebecca Gilliam

Davida Hamilton

Cynthia B. Harrell

Venessa Harrison

Ethel Hasty, Ed.D.

C’Nay Hines

Charletta M. Hines

Alisa Hughley

Debra Clark Jones

Yolanda Keller-Bell, Ph.D.

Dwan Kelsey

Brenda Richardson Malone

Makeba Mc Daniel

DiJuana McDougal

Gloria A. McNeil, DNP

Carolyn Moore, Ph.D.

Arrica Moseley-DuBose

Dana Peebles

Marguerite D. Peebles

ALUMNA MEMBERS

Lizzie J. Harrell, Ph.D.

Carolyn Henderson

Barbara Hibbert

Alice W. Hughley

Bettye Jackson

Caroline L. Lattimore, Ph.D.

LaFayette W. Lipscomb, Ph.D.

Jean F. McAlpine

Delores W. Pruitt

Yvonne Pugh-Burford, Esq. **

Stilwyn Perry-Brown

Mary J. Phillips, Ph.D.

Susan Poole

Rubestene Fisher Potter

Ruth Reid-Coleman

Tara Reid-Jones

Charleita Richardson

Michelle Boyette Rouse

Gloria C. Shealey, Ph.D.

Janelle A. Shumate, M.D.

Vynedra Smith–Champ, M.D.

Erin Smith-Imafidon, DDS

Norma Petway Smith

Regina Stephens, Esq.

Deborah Thomas, Ph.D.

Acie L. Ward, Esq.

Kaye R. Webb, Esq. **

Danielle Wilson, Esq.

Sheronda Witter, Ph.D.

Jacqueline R. Wynn

Veronica Ray Perry, M.D. **

Jennifer Robinson

Esther M. Smith

Barbara B. Stanley

Rose T. Vaughan, Ed.D.

Lauriette West-Hoff, Esq.

Charlotte H. Wooten

Peggy L. Wynn

2024 Fund Development Committee Members

Rebecca Gilliam, Chair

Norma Petway Smith, Co-Chair

Shirley Arrington

Florence Bowens

Robin Crawford

Kim Dorman

Chanda Douglas-Ward

Indira Everett

Katherine Everett-Perry

Venessa Harrison

C’Nay Hines

Debra Clark Jones

Dwan Kelsey

Lorie-Ann Lee-Carter

DiJuana McDougal

Dana Peebles

Marguerite Peebles

Charleita M. Richardson

Michelle Boyette Rouse

Kaye Webb

TRIANGLE PARK (NC) CHAPTER OF THE LINKS, INCORPORATED

2024 White Rose Luncheon

CHAMPAGNE EDITION

CELEBRATING THE 40TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE TRIANGLE PARK (NC) CHAPTER

June 8, 2024

11:00 am Champagne Reception • 11:30 am Celebratory Toast • 12:00 pm Program Start

Programme

CELEBRATORY TOAST

Katherine Everett CHAPTER PRESIDENT

MUSICAL INTERLUDE

INTRODUCTION OF MASTER OF CEREMONIES

WELCOME

GREETINGS AND OCCASION

United Strings of Color

Chanda Douglas-Ward CHAPTER VICE PRESIDENT

Rod Carter ANCHOR/REPORTER, CBS 17

Katherine Everett CHAPTER PRESIDENT

REMARKS Vanessa Falls

SOUTHERN AREA DIRECTOR OF THE LINKS, INCORPORATED

ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF DISTINGUISHED GUESTS

Norma Petway Smith FUND DEVELOPMENT CO-CHAIR

ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF SPONSORS

PRAYER

Rebecca Gilliam FUND DEVELOPMENT CHAIR

Charletta Hines CHAPTER CHAPLAIN

LUNCH

ENTERTAINMENT

VIDEO PRESENTATION

DOOR PRIZES AND WAYS TO GIVE

ENTERTAINMENT

RAFFLE DRAWING AND SILENT AUCTION RESULTS

THE AFTER PARTY

Heather Victoria and the Experience

Shirley Arrington IMMEDIATE PAST PROGRAM CHAIR

Rod Carter CELEBRITY MASTER OF CEREMONIES

Heather Victoria and the Experience

Rod Carter CELEBRITY MASTER OF CEREMONIES

DJ Glenn Stanley

2024 Master of Ceremonies

Rod Carter joined CBS 17 News as a weeknight evening anchor after spending about two decades at WFLA in Tampa, Florida.

Rod is a proud graduate of Florida A&M University in Tallahassee.

He is a life member of the FAMU National Alumni Association and current vice president of the Triangle Chapter of the FAMU NAA in Raleigh-Durham.

He coaches and guides upcoming journalists as a mentor.

For years he has been the lead teacher for the NABJ-FAMU Journalism Short Course, instructing students in broadcast during an intensive weekend course.

Rod was a Fall 2021 adjunct professor of communications at Saint Augustine’s University in Raleigh.

Rod was awarded the Kappa Tau Alpha (KTA) Hall of Fame Award from the University of South Florida, Zimmerman School of Advertising and Mass Communications.

He is immediate past Region III Director for the National Association of Black Journalists, as well as a past president of the Tampa Bay Association of Black Journalists. He’s currently a member of the Raleigh-Durham Chapter of the NABJ.

Outside journalism, Rod is a proud Life Member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity. He is currently the International Director of Publicity for the fraternity. He is also the past 2nd Vice President and a charter member of the Sigma Xi Sigma chapter in Tampa. Since relocating to Raleigh, he has joined the Eta Sigma Chapter of the fraternity.

Rod is also a member of the NAACP.

Rod is very active in the community, serving now or in the past, on a number of boards.

• DPAC Rising Stars Board member

• Community Leadership Board of the American Diabetes Association

• The Crisis Center of Tampa Bay (past)

• Gentleman’s Quest mentoring program (board chair)

• Board of Visitors, FAMU School of Journalism

• Tampa Bay Juneteenth Coalition (past)

• Swope, Rodante Vanguard Award Selection Board (past)

• Hillsborough Community College Digital, TV and Media Production Advisory Board

Heather Victoria and The Experience

Jamla recording artist, Heather Victoria is an R&B songstress from North Carolina. Heather began her professional music journey during college, while creating with the incomparable super-producer, 9th Wonder. Heather Victoria has showcased her talents via several music projects and live performances. With a classic R&B and Soul sound, Heather credits artists like Mary J. Blige, Anita Baker, and Jill Scott as major influences.

Lastly, Heather attributes her alma mater, NCCU, for setting the foundation for her dreams and ambitions to blossom into a professional career.

Heather is performing today with NC’s own, VOCO also known as, The Experience.

TPC Charter Members

Florence Bowens Avent Glenda Davis Frances Dyer

Ora L. Easley

Vivian Edmonds Aurelia Franklin

Phyllis Gray

Cheri Harrell LuAnn Edmonds Harris

Marian Turner Hopkins Alexine Jackson Carla Johnson

Kathleen Clement Johnson

Susan Thornton Kane

Ruth G. Kennedy

TPC Charter Members

Joyce O'Rourke

Winona Peace

Veronica Ray Perry

Yvonne Pugh

Nancy Rowland Josephine Jodi Clement Smart

Janetta Steele

Pamela Thorpe-Young

Vera Turner

Gail Thornton Wade

Kaye Webb

TPC Past Presidents

2017-2022

2004-2006

2002-2004

DiJuana McDougal 2017-Present

Deshera Mack 2016-2017

Caroline Lattimore 2014-2016

Marguerite Peebles 2012-2014

Ann Edmonds 2008-2012

Ruth Kennedy 2006-2008

Stellyne Curtis

Peggy Wynn

Edna Blue 2000-2002

Alice Hughley 1998-2000

Ruth Reid Coleman 1996-1998

Glenda Davis 1994-1996

Joyce O’Rourke 1992-1994

Lafayette Lipscomb 1989-1992

Kaye Webb 1988-1989

Frances Dyer 1986-1988

Vivian Edmonds 1984-1986

Triangle Park (NC) Chapter History

The e T Trianglle Park k (N (NCC) Chhapter of The Links, Incorporated was established on June 9 9, 1984, under the guidance of organizers,

Dr. Helen G. Edmonds, Fifth National President of The Links, Incorporated, Lulu Robinson, Rebecca Edmonds and Lucille Webb. The twenty-six charter members hailed from Durham, Orange and Wake Counties, and coalesced to address the community needs of their respective locales. Vivian Edmonds, Editor of The Carolina Times at that time, became the first president of the Triangle Park (NC) Chapter. Under her capable leadership, the Chapter began a legacy of providing meaningful service to the local community and abroad.

During the past forty years, the Triangle Park (NC) Chapter has grown to sixty-one members under the inspiring leadership of eighteen dynamic presidents. As a volunteer community service organization, we are committed to civic, educational and cultural activities with the purpose of serving the needs and improving the lives of children and families of the surrounding Triangle area. Each year has brought new challenges for our Chapter as we embrace community service projects that span our 5 facets – The Arts, Services to Youth, National Trends and Services, International Trends and Services, and Health and Human Services. Under the National Trends and Services Facet, we implemented our Habitat Build project in which we volunteered with Wake County and Orange County Habitat for Humanity to help build homes in the East College Park Community in Raleigh, and the Northside Community in Chapel Hill. One of our programs, which encompassed several of the facets, provided an after-school initiative called the Triangle Park (NC) Chapter Academy of Arts and Humanities. This program served the children at the Global Scholars Academy in Durham, and provided tutoring, mentoring, musical enrichment, and several forms of artistic expression. Other Chapter projects are focused on the college population. As part of the National Links HBCU Initiative, the Triangle Park (NC) Chapter has adopted St. Augustine’s University, providing workshops, mentoring and over $12,000 in scholarships to its students. Our longstanding and award winning Collaboration with St. Augustine University (SAU) most recently donated computers to bridge the digital divide for SAU international students who were abruptly thrown into virtual learning from abroad due to the Covid-19 pandemic. We also pride ourselves on consistent commitment to voter education and political awareness - registering hundreds of voters over the years and emphasizing the importance of election voices for our future.

Our Integrated Program, led by the Services to Youth Facet and supported by The Arts, International Trends and Services, and Health and Human Services includes tutoring, mentoring, art, music and dance, as well as, personal health and development. Another program led by the Health and Human Services Facet - “Kids Cook with Heart” - addressed childhood obesity and healthy nutrition. Both of these programs served children at Reaching All Minds STEM Academy in Durham. In addition, the Triangle Park (NC) Chapter, in collaboration with the Food Bank of Central and Eastern NC, addresses food insecurity in students at Burton Elementary School. For more than sixteen years, we have distributed backpacks filled with nutritious food for the students to take home each weekend during the school year. The above initiatives were recognized as “Best Practices” programs by the Southern Area of the Links, Incorporated, in 2017. At the 2019 Southern Area Conference, the National Trends and Services Facet won the 2nd place award for its “Get Out the Vote”, Women Running for Public Office, and Links Day at the Capital programs.

The Triangle Park (NC) Chapter has remained steadfast in our overarching goal to make a significant and positive difference in the communities we serve; while drawing upon the talent, expertise, womanpower, financial resources, and wisdom of our members, in partnership with people of generosity and goodwill. This year, we are hosting our White Rose Luncheon: “Champagne Edition’’ to commemorate this Chapter’s 40th anniversary. This luncheon also serves to raise funds in support of our service initiatives, and to thank our supporters. Working together, we can continue to achieve our humanitarian and philanthropic goals.

Triangle Park (NC) Chapter Officers 2024-2026

C ORRESPONDING S ECRETARY

C’Nay

R ECORDING S ECRETARY

Chanda Douglas-Ward V ICE P RESIDENT OF M EMBERSHIP

Carolyn Moore P ROGRAM C HAIR

Katrina Avery T REASURER

Indira Everett F INANCIAL S ECRETARY

Dwan Kelsey

Hines

Katherine Everett P RESIDENT

Triangle Park (NC) Chapter

Program Facet Leadership 2022-2024

THE ARTS

Chacona Baugh, Chair

Charletta Hines, Co-Chair

INTERNATIONAL TRENDS AND SERVICES

Cassandra Deck-Brown, Chair

Venessa Harrison, Co-Chair

HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Katrina Avery, Chair

Carolyn Moore, Co-Chair

NATIONAL TRENDS AND SERVICES

Mary Phillips, Chair

Regina Stephens, Co-Chair

SERVICES TO YOUTH

Alisa Hughley, Chair

Charleita Richardson, Co-Chair

The Arts

The Arts Facet focuses on fostering and enhancing the appreciation of the arts within our community and organizational programs. This is made possible through providing instruction in the performing and fine arts, and sponsoring programs for the display of talent by budding, as well as, established artists. We have the following goals:

• To expose chosen groups to the contributions made by African American artists

• To encourage the development of talented young artists in our community

• To ensure that all forms of art (visual, performing and literary) are a part of the art experience

The Arts Facet has continued to expand art activity, supporting art-related educational opportunities for minority youth, as well as attending and supporting performances and exhibits by youth and accomplished professional artists.

The Arts Facet supports our decade long partnership with the award-winning Hillside High School Drama Department. In addition to attending productions throughout the year, support was provided for Burton Elementary and R. N. Harris Elementary students to attend plays. The Triangle Park (NC) Chapter (TPC) donated much needed snacks to the Hillside Performing Arts students for their afterschool rehearsals. Financial assistance was given to support newer community outreach technology. During our most recent program years, we made an investment of approximately $4,000 to enable Hillside Drama to secure screenwriting software, podcast equipment and furnish a recording studio.

In 2021 United Strings of Color (USC) became our latest Classics Through the Ages (CTA) partner. TPC assisted USC with coaching sessions, master classes, as well as instrument support for their members and for the Instrument Zoo Project. This project provides an opportunity for USC members to introduce string instruments to young people throughout our community. TPC has invested close to $3,000 in these activities including book/supply scholarships to USC students,

The Arts Facet continues to identify local youth to participate in The Links, Incorporated Young Masters Writers Artists Program Competition. Jointly with our Services to Youth Facet, the Arts Facet sponsored coding and quilting STEAM activities for the Phenomenal Girls of Burton Elementary.

TPC made a deliberate effort to host group activities to partake in local exhibits and performances throughout our community by supporting local and visiting African American artists and lectures. A highlight of these activities was the private tour of the Ruth E. Carter (two-time Oscar winning costume designer) exhibition we experienced at the North Carolina Museum of Art.

Services to Youth

The Services to Youth (STY) facet of the Triangle Park (NC) Chapter (TPC) implements programs that seek to eliminate the academic achievement gap for minority youth from elementary school through college. The programs integrate the following components: early literacy development, character building, health and wellness education; science, technology, engineering, and mathematics studies; leadership development, career awareness and preparation, and support for the stability and retention of students at historically black colleges and universities. This integrated approach ensures the Triangle Park (NC) Chapter is preparing young people to succeed in the global workforce as knowledgeable and healthy citizens.

Sister to Sister at Pearsontown Elementary: This program supported 45 3rd-5th grade girls. Sister to Sister began at Pearsontown Elementary as a program to support character development while building on important life skills. During the school year, Triangle Park (NC) Chapter met monthly with the students to lead workshops focused on integrity, kindness, courage, perseverance, and self-confidence. The girls also received special tokens to remind them of each topic. Triangle Park also used this time to expose the students to STEM careers and presented each of them with a STEM book written by a local Durham student. At the conclusion of the school year, Triangle Park helped sponsor their trip to the National African American Museum in Washington, DC.

Dream Big Book Harvest: STY participated as a sponsor contributing $500 and supported in the book sorting at the Dream Big Book Harvest event held during the Martin Luther King Holiday. TPC Links donated over 125 books to this effort. Additionally, we volunteered at the event to help ensure its success.

I Read, You Read, We Read Together: Triangle Park (NC) Chapter launched the I Read, You Read, We Read Together program at Burton Elementary (Durham County) and Roseboro Elementary (Sampson County). With this national Links initiative, we supported literacy for first grade students at these two schools. Each month we led the students through reading exercises while building connections to motivate them. At the conclusion of the program, we continued to promote STEM (similar to Pearsontown) and sent each child home with a STEM focused book. Students at Roseboro Elementary also received a Highlights Magazine subscription.

Burton Elementary: Triangle Park (NC) Chapter has long supported Burton Elementary School. In addition to the reading program referenced above, TPC donated a Science kit to support STEM exploration. We also sponsored three-character education sessions and a tea party for students.

SaySo®: “SaySo®, Strong Able Youth Speaking Out, is a statewide association that supports youth ages 14-24 who are, or have been, in the foster care system. Each year they host an annual conference. TPC supported this event by donating $300 worth of gift cards to provide to the participants.

National Trends and Services

The National Trends and Services NTS facet is committed to empowering communities by addressing the economic and social disparities in finance, housing, violence prevention, political influence, and empowerment. The vision of National Trends and Services (NTS) is to eliminate disparities by reducing barriers to services through advocacy, education, and community service initiatives. The Triangle Park (NC) Chapter (TPC) over the years has made significant strides to meet the needs of the community in Durham, Orange, and Wake Counties.

During the 2023-2024 program years, we prioritized the essential need of food and clothing. In doing so, we participated in six of the national initiative and partnership with Dress for Success Donation Days. In essence, the mission of Dress for Success mirrors much of the focus of NTS, to “empower women to achieve independence.” TPC members and friends donated 100s of dresses, work pants and blouses, suits, and shoes to community women entering the workplace, and securing their independence. On a local level, we partnered with the St. Joseph House managed by the St. Joseph AME Church in Durham, North Carolina.

With a focus on feeding the hunger and respecting that many in our community experience food insecurities, NTS, for second year continued its mission of providing families with food during the Thanksgiving and Christmas Holidays. We adopted North Carolina’s Food Lion Store’s Holidays without Hunger initiative and donated numerous boxes of food to local families. Each box contains enough food to feed five adults.

Voting is as essential and matters to live in a community that reflects our values. NTS continued our efforts to support GOTV initiatives and encourage voting in the primary and general elections for 2024. The facet’s goal was to educate the public about the right to and the need for voting and, ultimately, to vote. Like previous years, NTS reached more than 1000 households in the noted counties.

In furtherance of empowering our community, NTS collaborated with The Continental Societies of Raleigh, NTS organized a free session for the community on financial literacy, including executing Wills, Trusts and establishing College Savings. TFrom college to retirement, NTS presented a session on AARP to the TPC members.

NTS participated in the 2024 North Carolina Links Day at the Capital (LDAC) held in April 2024. The focus for this year’s gathering was food insecurities and maternal heath for African American women.

International Trends and Services

Our goal is to support sustainable nutritional needs of the students at SAU to minimize their food insecurities by establishing a sustainable partnership with the Food Bank of Central and Eastern NC to ensure that the existing Food Pantry is well stocked and operational throughout the school year. A longterm goal is to establish a network of partnerships that will be able to sustain our efforts to bridge the gaps between academic learning and food insecurity.

Additionally, our goal is to provide 75 international students with personal care products that they identified as being high priority.

• 82 care packages were delivered at the onset of the school year.

• 77 care packages were delivered at the onset of the final exam period.

In collaboration with AT&T, SECU and SAU, ITS conducted interactive informational webinars on the topics of financial literacy and global career/internship opportunities. The topic: “Thriving in the World of International Business – Skills for the New Globalized Business Landscape” was a robust discussion with Q&A and a globalized perspective of career and internship opportunities evidenced by a partnership linked in leadership and service. The students gained insightful knowledge by hearing directly from two C-Suite executives.

In keeping in the same vein of promoting Education Across the Miles, the partnership with AT&T supported our effort to pay it forward to expand our global outreach to support completing a dormitory for young women seeking tertiary education at the University of the Bahamas.

The ITS provided financial support to deserving international students by establishing criteria and application process for awarding four Needs-Based Academic Scholarships.

With a minimum, the students were afforded the opportunity to apply for the scholarships provided they meet the minimum academic requirement of a 3.0 GPA, the students submitted essays that best described their need and why they should be considered for the scholarship. Additionally, as tomorrow’s leaders, they were prompted with an essay requirement that asked them to describe how they would be an “Essential Link in Making an Impact to Change the World.”

Over the years, ITS has support several initiatives the global mission of sending books to Africa. As an opportunity to further outreach through Education Across the Miles, the Books for Africa program collects, sorts, and ships books, computers, tablets, and library enhancement materials to every country in Africa to empowerment children and students across Africa to enjoy, learn, grow, and prosper from their reading experiences.

Health and Human Services

The goal of this facet is to promote and facilitate programs that support good health. Particular emphasis is on bringing awareness to and eliminating chronic health disparities in communities of color:

Breast and Other Cancer Education and Early Detection: Triangle Park (NC) partnered with the Sisters Network Triangle to support women diagnosed with breast cancer by providing supplies to women newly diagnosed with breast cancer. TPC Links developed a Girls Spreading the Word session for pre-pubescent girls. TPC Links partnered with Rex Hospital System and St. Matthews AME Church to provide 15 mammograms using the mobile mammography van and also partnered with Lincoln Community Health Center to provide 10 mammograms to uninsured and underinsured women. TPC Links partnered with the Raleigh (NC) Chapter of the Links, Inc to host the Black Family Wellness Expo (BFWE) 2024. 60% of active TPC members completed a Health Equity Ambassador Training focused on breast, lung and colorectal cancer risk reduction.

Childhood Obesity and Family Nutrition: TPC Links partnered with the Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina and Burton Elementary School to provide Weekend Power Pack meals for approximately 40 students per week throughout the school year, yielding 3,312 Weekend Power Pack bags delivered.

Organ Donation Awareness: Partnering with White Rock Baptist Church, St. Joseph AME Church and Donate Life NC, TPC Links provided information on the importance of organ donation. 3 organ donors were recruited.

Maternal Health Awareness: TPC Links participated in the LAMBS initiative- Links Aiding Moms to be Strong. This is a national pilot program with the March of Dimes organizationto address concerns specific to Black women and Black mothers. At the Black Family Wellness Expo, TPC Links sponsored a diaper drive.

Kidney Health Awareness: TPC Links also began participating in another new Links program called Black K.A.R.E which stands for “Kidney Awareness, Resources and Education.” Given that Black Americans are four times more likely than white Americans to develop kidney failure, this program was launched to provide online and in person resources and information about Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD).

TPC Partners and Collaborators

2024 Friends of the TPC Links

Clarence & Simone Hamlett

George Hasty CONNECTING LINK

Laura Davion-Hill HEIR-O-LINK

Elmer Gillam CONNECTING LINK

William G. Smith CONNECTING LINK

Aquaris Anderson

Siobahn Grady

Angela Miles

Duke University Giving Project

Ruby Belin

Pi Chapter of Chi Eta Phi Sorority Inc.

Roosevelt Everett CONNECTING LINK

Gwen Sanders ELIZABETH CITY (NC) CHAPTER

Quan Williams & Faye Tate Williams

DURHAM (NC) CHAPTER & CONNECTING LINK

Mary Durant DesChamps

Claudia Curtis DURHAM (NC) CHAPTER

Robert McNeil

CONNECTING LINK

James Barnes CONNECTING LINK

Dr. Stephanie Helms-Pickett

Gracie Johnson-Lopez

Nicole Benjamin

Chariss Riddick HEIR-O-LINK

Pat Riddick

Curtis Owens CONNECTING LINK

Shante Dillahunt

Shauna Coleman

Victor & Evette Campbell

Aisha D. Sarfo HEIR-O-LINK

Jazmine Harrison HEIR-O-LINK

Stan Foushee CONNECTING LINK

Terrence Foushee HEIR-O-LINK

James E. Spivey

Brigett Peacock

Julian Cobb HEIR-O-LINK

The Brown Family

The Clause Family

Brenda Trice

Jacqueline Chavis

Leadon J. Newsome

Michael & Sharon Chavis

Jimmie L. Anderson

Darryl Russell

Yvonne Pugh

Chrishaunda Vick

Anita Davis Pearson, Esq.

Keith & Jennifer Blacknall

Erica Everett HEIR-O-LINK

Howard Smith

Mary S. Brow

Lexi Underwood

Norman A. Smith

Mr. & Mrs. William Foust

Diane Pierce

Dr. Pauline Goza

Cynthia Butler

Chie Handy, Esq.

Dr. Everett Ward

Dr. & Mrs. Byron Wade

Theresa C. Holmes

Dr. Wetonah Parker

Dr. Maria Lumpkin

MAGNOLIA (GA) CHAPTER

Ads and Acknowledgments

Barr & Barr is proud to support the Triangle Park (NC) Chapter of the Links, Incorporated on the 40th Anniversary.

“Empowering a Legacy with Friendship and Service”

TRIANGLE PARK CHAPTER ~ The Links, Incorporated ~

White Rose Luncheon ~ Champagne Edition ~

Janice W. Baker Chapter President

LinkedinSisterlyLove,BondedForever

YourSister, CharlettaM.Hines, TrianglePark(NC)Chapter YourNieces, C’NayHines, TrianglePark(NC)Chapter EbonyHines, Columbia(SC)Chapter

Congratulations to my wife Chacona Winters Baugh for achieving Alumna Status after 22 years of service as an active member of The Links, Incorporated W. Harold Baugh

Congratulations Triangle Park(NC) Chapter on Forty Years of Service and Philanthropy!

Senator Dan Blue 14th Senate District/Wake County

Empowering Growth

As NC’s only AfricanAmerican owned bank, M&F Bank has been empowering growth for our customers by being a Community Partner & Resource for 100+ years. mfbonline.com

Thank you to the attendees and supporters of the 2024 White Rose Luncheon and to the community partners TPC has had the honor of serving with over the past 40 years!

Thank You For Your Generous Support!

The Triangle Park (NC) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated extends special thanks to the following sponsors and supporters:

Duke Health

AT&T

Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina

The Danielle Company

M&F Bank

Duke Energy

Coastal Credit Union

Evolvrs

Capitol Broadcasting Company

Dominion Energy

Fink’s Jewelers

University Club

Friends of the TPC Links

email: t pclinks@gmail.com website: www. triangleparklinks.org