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Letters from Leadership
The Society, Incorporated, 18th National Conference To our esteemed National President, Dr. Gwendolyn Lee and the entire membership of our beloved organization,
We are thrilled and excited to have been selected as your National Conference Planning Team.
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Accepting the positions as conference chair and co-chair not only developed a team, but a bonding friendship. We started out on a different foot planning an in-person conference, with the support of the dynamic and fabulous ladies of the Greater Atlanta Chapter. Our plans included being in Midtown Atlanta enjoying the artistic décor of the W Hotel, then COVID-19 arrived. WOW!!! We had to quickly pivot and execute a virtual experience.
With the support and direction of our National President we were introduced to a team of young African American ladies, The Collective, LLC who came to our rescue.
You will have an experience of a lifetime navigating your way through this conference. Entering the conference lobby, visiting the various rooms such as The Memorial Gardens, The Hall of Honors, The Legacy Lounge, and Johnathan Green’s Art Gallery to name a few. You will have time to shop with some fabulous vendors just before you log on for your workshops and plenary sessions. While you see and hear the presentations of young artists and scholarship recipients, you can sip your favorite beverage. We recommend a peach tea or a peach Bellini while dining on tea sandwiches, scones, and the like.
Finally, the conference will close with a mini concert by two of our own Society Ladies, Chelsey Green and Dana Kristina-Joi Morgan.
When challenges are placed before you the result, is the end reward. We met the CHALLENGE.
Enjoy this virtual experience.
Julia Pollard
Conference Chair and 7th National President, Washington D.C. Chapter
Felicia Holt Lewis
Conference Co-Chair, Greater Atlanta Chapter
Detail, Dreams, Visions, and Change, MLK Mural, 2009, Louis Delsarte © all rights reserved
Greetings my Sisters,
Welcome to the 18th National Conference of The Society, Incorporated hosted by the Greater Atlanta Chapter. I am thrilled that you have decided to join me in Accepting the Challenge of Moving our
Beloved Organization from Better to Best.
The COVID-19 pandemic has an immense global impact and to protect health and wellbeing, this year we have organized a virtual meeting. We are very grateful for all the work done by our Conference Chair Lady Julia Pollard and Co-Chair Lady Felicia Lewis and the entire conference planning committee in organizing and launching this year’s event. Their commitment to developing a virtual meeting that is dynamic is most appreciated.
While this new endeavor has required us to stretch, it has also allowed us to be creative in how we come together to celebrate our 63 new Society members, pay tribute to renowned and emerging artists, showcase the extraordinary work of our chapters, and provide learning and networking opportunities for our members.
We will use this virtual conference to test and evaluate new platforms that can make our events greener, more accessible, and more affordable while still fulfilling our mission of supporting the arts.
Over the next several days, we encourage you to engage with your sisters, pose questions and offer comments. Our organization has worked diligently to ensure that every attendee has a beneficial experience, and we are confident that you will leave the conference feeling empowered with increased awareness, new contacts and strengthened relationships!
Yours in service,
Gwendolyn Lee
National President The Society, Incorporated
To my dear Society Sisters
As we convene this year, I can think of no better theme than our current one penned by our National President, Lady Gwendolyn Lee – “Accepting the Challenge… Moving from Better to Best.” That is what you have done, exactly. Indeed, the challenges of a closed society, personal losses, and civic unrest were no match for your unwavering commitment to our youth. You most certainly were a bright light in a somewhat darkened America. And, your faith in what we do took us from “better to best.”
It has been heartwarming to witness. From the youth showcases you sponsored, to your exuberant support of our Black Lives Matter Contest, and on to the numerous hours you spent mentoring students, your work has made the difference. I know we will continue to build upon this momentum.
Thank you, my Society Sisters, for holding high the torch of service. Our children appreciate you. Our parents appreciate you. And, I appreciate you!
As we move into this incredibly innovative conference, I ask you to join me in thanking the Atlanta Chapter for the outstanding job they have done in delivering a rich and valuable experience for you. You will see that there is something for everyone—program development opportunities, training on processes, a deeper understanding of our organization, and of course, the chance to develop leadership skills.
Enjoy these fantastic workshops, and get ready to hear the Good News about the outstanding accomplishments our chapters have made through Programs and Membership. Most importantly, make this conference yours! Network with your Society Sisters in our breakout rooms. Connect with your counterparts in Programs and Leadership. Build new friendships. And, celebrate YOU for all you have done to enrich The Society’s reputation and the lives of children.
Yours in Service and Friendship, Lady Carol Francis
National Vice President The Society, Incorporated
My Dear Society Sisters,
Welcome I am very pleased to greet you at this our 18th National Conference.
As the 3rd National President of the Society, I have had the privilege, and heartwarming experience of witnessing the remarkable growth of our organization over the past 38 years. Looking through the highlights of our history, I am in awe of how you extraordinary women have brought your talents, expertise and devotion to the mission of our Beloved Society. Not only have we grown in the numbers of established chapters and members, but our growth can most meaningfully be defined by the many young people whose engagement in the Arts has been impacted through our philanthropic and benevolent efforts and also our personal involvement. The Society has made its mark by inducting role model artist as honorary members, collaboration with the Dance Theater of Harlem, supporting the National Museum of African American History, placing our Archives in the Moorland-Spingarn Research Center at Howard University, (it was the last organization to be accepted there) and holding competitions for talented young artists to appear at our national conventions. A recent example is our Black Lives Matter project.
In today’s world, perhaps as at no other time, our services are vital – our young people NEED us more than ever to help lift their creative spirits through our encouragement of their talent in the literary, visual and performing arts.
Over the next 2 days, I encourage you to utilize this opportunity made possible through innovative technology to embrace the wonderful spirit of friendship that binds us together in this marvelous sisterhood – The Society, Incorporated.
Let us share stories of examples of our chapter achievements and the gifted youth we have mentored. This will be a time for us to re-commit ourselves to our pledge and, by so doing, become energized to go forth in our individual Chapters with renewed dedication to exposing, encouraging, and promoting youth in the Arts. These young artists are our legacy my sisters! .
Be safe and well. May God continue to shower us with His blessings.
Warm regards, Carolyne Larmar Jordan, Ed.D.
3rd National President The Society, Incorporated New England Arts Chapter
