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ABOUT US

OUR NATIONAL HISTORY

The Links, Incorporated is an international, not-for-profit corporation, established in 1946. The membership consists of nearly 14,000 professional women of color in 280 chapters located in 41 states, the District of Columbia and the Commonwealth of the Bahamas. It is one of the nation’s oldest and largest volunteer service organizations of extraordinary women who are committed to enriching, sustaining and ensuring the culture and economic survival of African Americans and other persons of African ancestry.

 

The members of The Links, Incorporated are influential decision makers and opinion leaders. The Links, Inc. has attracted many distinguished women who are individual achievers and have made a difference in their communities and the world. They are business and civic leaders, role models, mentors, activists and volunteers who work towards a common vision by engaging like-minded organizations and individuals for partnership. Links members contribute more than 500,000 documented hours of community service annually – strengthening their communities and enhancing the nation. The organization is the recipient of awards from the UN Association of New York and the Leon H. Sullivan Foundation for its premier programs.

 

The outstanding programming of The Links, Incorporated has five facets which include Services to Youth, The Arts, National Trends and Services, 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 campaigns.

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OUR MISSION

The Links, Incorporated is a volunteer service organization of concerned, committed and talented women who, linked in friendship, enhance the quality of life in the larger community. The organization is concerned primarily with enriching, sustaining and ensuing the identities, culture and economic survival of African-Americans and persons of African descent.

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To contribute to the formation of a positive, productive and culturally diverse society, The Links, Incorporated also focuses on education, cultural enrichment, health and wellness and civic involvement. This focus is implemented through strategies such as in public information and education, economic development, and public policy.

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OUR CHAPTER HISTORY

The Indianapolis Chapter of The Links, Incorporated was chartered on March 17, 1951 at the home of Olivia Anderson. The chapter's founding member was Bess Simpson.

 

The Charter Members included:

Madeline Allen

Olivia Anderson

Eugeunia Asbury

Henrine Banks

Dora Oma Powell

Gladys Doyle

Shirley Evans

Jacqueline Hanley

Evelyn Hawkins

Annetta Moten Lawson

Helen Maxey

Vivian Terry Moore

Bess Simpson

Edythe Walker

CHAPTER LEADERSHIP - OFFICERS

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LARNELL

BURKS-BAGLEY

President

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CARLEEN

MCELROY THOMPSON

Recording Secretary

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RENEE

CHUBE WASHINGTON

Vice President/Membership

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TINA

HARRIS-KINCHEN, MD

Corresponding Secretary

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MONET

BOWLING, MD

Programs Chair

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CHASITY

THOMPSON OSBORN, JD

Parliamentarian

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LAKISHA

HALL

Treasurer

CHAPTER LEADERSHIP -
STANDING COMMITTEES & PROGRAM FACETS

  • Alumna: Claudia Maddox

  • Archives: Wendy Scott Mayes

  • Audit: Alison Wright, MD

  • Bylaws: Chasity Thompson Osborn, JD

  • Ethic and Standards: Myra Selby, JD

  • Fundraising: Tina Harris-Kinchen and Jarnell Burks Craig

  • Health and Human Services: Virginia Caine, MD and Samantha Jones

  • International Trends and Services: Una Osili and Mercy Obeime, MD

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*Facets are in Green

  • Technology: Alexandra Simonton

  • National Trends and Services: Marisa Riggins

  • Nominating: Sally Mills

  • Protocol: TBC

  • Representative to the Links Foundation: Stacy Myers

  • Rituals: TBC

  • Services to Youth: Kim Forniss, OD and Andrea Neely

  • Social: Sally Mills

  • Strategic Planning: Julie Simonton

  • The Arts: Tosha Huddleston

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CONTACT US

FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL

© 2026 Indianapolis (IN) Chapter of The Links, Inc.

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