Links Inc. Meet & Greet

Members of the Waco Chapter of The Links, Inc. and guests enjoyed a Meet & Greet on Saturday, Dec. 3, at the Baylor School of Social Work in Downtown Waco.

About 50 members and guests attended the event coordinated by Link Vashon Sutherland, membership chair. The keynote speaker was Link Tanya Brice, Ph.D., who discussed the history of African-American women's organizations.

"Members of modern organizations might benefit from some of the same tactics used throughout history," Brice said. "We have a strong, rich history that we should never forget."


Brice included women such as Harriet Tubman and Mary McCleod Bethune in her discussion. She offered insight and tidbits of information not usually addressed in history books.


"The talk was interesting because she included some facts that I was unaware of before today," said Link Felicia Coleman, who chaired the decorations committee.


The Meet and Greet is held annually to allow members to mingle with women in the Waco community. The attire was dressy/casual and attendees enjoyed a variety of pastries, fruit and coffee, which were provided under the direction of Link Demetra Kennedy and her committee.

"I want to send out my sincere thanks to each of you for stepping and up and contributing to the success of the event," said President Josette Ayres.  

Services to Youth Activites - Girls Conference in September

By Demetra Kennedy

Waco Chapter partnered with Bledsoe Miller Recreation Center to present a one day conference for girls focusing on career goals, health/hygiene and fitness.  

The Beauty Industry was used a platform to introduce girls to careers in hairstyling, salon ownership, and jobs focusing on the business aspect of manufacturing and marketing of beauty products. Presenters were Tyrone Campbell (hairsytlist), Mia Moody, Ph.D. (writer), Terri Woods-Campbell, MD (physician), Vashon Sutherland (engineer), Josette Ayres (marketing), and Connie Powell, JD (lawyer). 

The Health/Hygiene workshop focused on two areas, which were Glitter Germs Experiment and Emergency Pack it up and Travel Kit.  The Glitter and Germs activity focused on the spread of germs from one person to another and how hand washing reduces the spread of germs. 

The Emergency Pack it up and Travel Kit activity was designed to help girls focus on what are the important items to pack when there is a dire emergency evacuation in their community.  Basis of this activity was lessons learned from hurrican Katrina.  

Links Felica Coleman and Connie Powell facilitated this activity. 

A Zumba activity was conducted by Link Sonya Todd.  This activity focused on how exercise can be fun and healthy.  

Links Spread Joy at Woodland Springs Nursing Home

The Links had a blessed time visiting members of the Alzheimer's wing of the Woodland Spring's Nursing home. About 12 members participated in the activity meant to bring joy to the facility's clients.

"It is always good when we can give back to the community," Link Felicia Coleman said after directing several traditional hymns.

The Links received a special treat when one of the patients began to play the piano. In addition to singing church hymns, Links members passed out travel-sized toiletries such as soap, lotion, vaseline and shampoo.

Heir-)-Links pitched in by talking to patients and spreading joy through smiles, hugs and handshakes.

"It is always nice to bring a smile to someone's face," said Heidi Hall, who formed a special friendship with a younger patient who recently sustained a motorcycle injury. "It is really hard to see someone there who is close to your age. But you never know where God is going to place you."

Links Friendship Month Activities

The Waco Chapter had a great time at Link Vashon Sutherland's house on Saturday, Nov. 5. Vashon and her committee provided baked Irish and sweet potatoes and all the fixings. We also had delicious sweet potato and cream cheese pies baked by Link Sonya Todd.

The highlight of the afternoon was having the privilege to win door prizes.  LinkVashon passed out creative and fun prizes such as relaxing bath salts, candles with cute sayings attached such as, "Enjoy these relaxing bath salts while you are hard at work for the Links, Inc.!"

Members had a great time during this Friendship Month Activity.

"It is always nice to hang out with our chapter," said Link Ella Shankle. "I love these ladies."

Other activities planned for the month include visiting Woodland Springs Nursing home, attending church services as a chapter and dining at a local restaurant after work. Good job membership committee!

Links Inc. historical photos

The Waco Chapter of The Links, Inc. received special treats during the months of October and November when Link Beulah Barksdale shared historical tidbits and photos at regular meetings.

Upon the suggestion of Link Terri Woods-Campbell, who  joined the organization two years ago, and wanted to learn more about its history, President Josette Ayres instituted a "Moment in Chapter History" into each meeting.

In October, Link Barksdale revealed this chapter was chartered when integration was at its heyday.

"Professionals were interspersed among work places that had many restrictions," she said.  "We came together as friends. We wanted to know each other’s names, not have to watch our backs. It is still that way today. "

Barksdale said the organization has always worked in the community, caring for children, recognizing leaders and helping the African-American community. It has always been sisterly, very prominent and useful in the community.

"We are a tight-knit group," she said. "That means no unfriendliness, separate groups, no line sisters."

In November, Barksdale discussed the group attending its first national convention and shared photos from the event.

"When we were established in 1974, we had 12 members," she said. "We had lots of visitors from various cities. We had a great time."

Members were in awe at her display.

Link Ramona Curtis shared her thoughts on Barksdale's presentation and expressed the gratitude felt by the entire Waco Chapter.

"This is really beneficial," said Link  Curtis. "I'm glad she shared these photos and information with us.

Waco Links, Inc. Participates in The Art Centers Pumpkin Event

The Waco Chapter of The Links, Inc. shared in the festivities of this year's Pumpkin Event sponsored by the
Art Center on Oct. 30. The event featured apple bobbing, pumpkin carving, games, a costume contest and more.

Links members helped participants create artistic masks using paper plates, paint, glitter, yarn and an assortment of other items. Not only did Links members have a great time, but Heir-o-Links joined in the celebration as well.

"I can't believe we got to carve a pumpkin," said Timothy Hall Ramirez, who cleaned his pumpkin alone,  and carved it using a special kit supplied by The Art Center. "It was so much fun."

The event was free and open to the public. It is held annually at The Art Center of Waco, which is housed on the McLennan Community College campus.

Waco’s first Bronze Eagle Fly-in

Timothy and William

By Mia Moody-Ramirez

Waco’s first Bronze Eagle Fly-in was a success with hundreds of participants from all walks of life.

Co-sponsored by the Waco Chapter of The Links, Inc. and the  Bronze Eagles Flying Club (BEFC) of Texas, it targeted African Americans, Hispanics, girls and members of other groups that are underrepresented in STEM-related occupations.

Demetra Kennedy, Links chair, said the 2011 Boeing Pilot & Technician Outlook indicates that by 2030 the global aviation industry will require 460,000 new commercial airline pilots and 650,000 new commercial airline maintenance technicians,

“The good news is there are many scholarships available in the aviation field,” she said. “We need to make sure our children take advantage of them!””

The Fly-in gave local youth the opportunity to meet an astronaut/pilots and experience flying in a plane. Participants also operated flight simulators, learned about Black aviation pioneers and experienced the world of air traffic control.

Connecting Link, Jesse Hayes, and Heir-o-Links, Timothy and William Hall-Ramirez, were featured on KWTX's 10 p.m. newscast. KWTX Video

“It was awesome,” said Timothy who really enjoyed meeting pilots and an astronaut. “I may consider becoming a pilot.”

The Bronze Eagles Flying Club (BEFC) of Texas is a nonprofit charity flying organization and chapter of the Black Pilots of America, (BPA).

“We help disadvantaged youth in their endeavors toward higher education, particularly in the field of aviation,” said Hayes, who was instrumental in bringing the program to Waco.

The organization also offers a variety of services including: free familiarization flights, free aviation career training, and a National Summer Flight Academy for eligible students.

Links President Josette Ayres said the Fly-in was successful on all accounts.

“We may look at co-sponsoring it every year,” she added.

Movie created by Timothy Hall-Ramirez

The first Bronze Eagle Fly-in held Saturday was a success with hundreds of participants from all walks of life. The event held at TSTC Campus was co-sponsored by the Waco Chapter of the Links, Inc. and The Bronze Eagles. 

 

The Bronze Eagles Flying Club (BEFC) of Texas is a nonprofit charity flying organization and chapter of the Black Pilots of America, (BPA).  The Bronze Eagles Flying Club promotes disadvantage youth in their endeavors toward higher education and helps further student interest in the field aviation.

 

BEFC offers a variety of services including: free familiarization flights, free aviation career training, and a National Summer Flight Academy for eligible students.

 

The event targeted African Americans, Hispanics, girls and other groups that are underrepresented in STEM skills. The 2011 Boeing Pilot & Technician Outlook indicates that by 2030 the global aviation industry will require 460,000 new commercial airline pilots and 650,000 new commercial airline maintenance technicians.

 

The event gave youth the opportunity to meet  pilots (including an astronauts, experience flying in a plane, and learn about Black pioneers in aviation

 

Participants also operated flight simulators and experienced the world of air traffic control.

 

Connecting Link Jesse Hayes and Heir-o-Links Timothy and William Hall-Ramirez were featured on KWTX's 10 p.m. newscast.

Bronze Eagle Youth Fly-in

By Demetra Kennedy, Chair

The Waco Chapter of Links Inc and Bronze Eagle Flying Club of Houston partnered together to bring to the Waco Community the Bronze Eagle Youth Fly-in.

The 2011 Boeing Pilot & Technician Outlook indicates that by 2030 the global aviation industry will require 460,000 new commercial airline pilots and 650,000 new commercial airline maintenance technicians.

More than 205 children who participated in this event.

"Community support was great," said Demetra Kennedy, who chaired the event for the Links.  "The community has asked we repeat the event in 2012." 

The event provided youth the opportunity to do the following:
1. Meet  Black pilots (including an astronaut)
2. Experience flying in a plane
3. Learn about Black pioneers in aviation
4. Operate flight simulators
5. Experience the world of air traffic control
6. Meet military and civilian pilots,
7. Tour TSTC Aviation Maintenance Hanger
8. Create aviation art
9. Compete in the Boeing Balse Wood Glider Throw
10. Gain hands-on experience in an Aircraft Sheet Metal Workshop
11. Experience the display of all the planes and helicopters (including some military aircraft)
12. Gain insight on the U.S, Air Force and U.S. Naval Academies.
13. Learn about Les Morris Summer Flight Academy run by Black Pilots of America.

Citizen of the Month for March 2011

The Cen-Tex African American Chamber of Commerce (CTAACC) named Link Mia Moody-Ramirez Citizen of the Month for March 2011. This is an honor for me. I have lived in Waco for more than 20 years. During that time, I have seen some progress in many areas. I am glad that CTAACC has a program that recognizes citizens for their works. The will make a special presentation at their membership meeting on Thursday, March 17th. 

Their Blurb:
The Cen-Tex African American Chamber of Commerce named Dr. Mia Moody-Ramirez Citizen of the Month for March 2011. Moody-Ramirez is a professor of Journalism and Media Arts at Baylor University. She teaches courses in public relations campaigns, minorities and women in the media and reporting and writing. She also instructs a digital media workshop for the Baylor University for Young People, an annual program for gifted and talented students.

Moody is well published. She is the author of Black and Mainstream Press’ Framing of Racial Profiling: a Historical Perspective, published by University Press of America in 2009. Her other works focus on misogynistic messages in rap music, negativity in the 2008 presidential primaries and media framing of women and minorities. She has been featured on KRLD Talk Radio, Dallas, The Ron Insana Show, and in numerous national and international publications. She also serves as faculty researcher for the Church Swap initiative sponsored by Baylor’s Academy for Leader Development and Civic Engagement and Waco’s Community Race Relations Coalition.”

Moody-Ramirez is also active in the community. Her involvements include The Waco Chapter of The Links, Inc., Jack and Jill, Inc., The National Association of Black Journalists and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

Moody-Ramirez earned her Ph.D. from the University of Texas, two master's degrees from Baylor University and a bachelor’s degree from Texas A&M University. The Bryan native served as a staff writer and columnist for the lifestyle section of the Waco Tribune-Herald from 1990 to 1997,

Church Swap - Civil Rights Tour - Tulsa Riot

Waco's Church Swap group, led by Link Ramona Curtis, went on a Civil Right's Tour this past weekend, which featured visits to Memphis, Tenn.; Little Rock, Ark. and Tulsa, Okla. I joined the group in Oklahoma. We visited The Department of Special Collections and University Archives of the McFarlin Library at The University of Tulsa. It was there that I learned for the first time of the Tulsa Riots.

The event seems almost impossible to believe. During the course of18 hours, more than 1,000 homes in "Black Wall Street" were burned to the ground. Practically overnight, entire neighborhoods were suddenly reduced to ashes. In less than 24 hours, nearly all of Tulsa's African American residential district -- some 40-square- blocks in all -- had been laid to waste, leaving nearly nine-thousand people homeless. The area featured two theatres, several grocery stores, hotels, skating rinks, schools, churches, etc.

The riots began after black men, who were WWI vets, tried to protect a 19-year-old black man accused of "bothering" a white women. Sometime around or after 4 p.m. Dick Rowland, a nineteen-year old black shoeshiner employed at a Main Street shine parlor, entered the elevator at the rear of the nearby Drexel Building at 319 South Main Street en route to the 'colored' washroom on the top floor. Upon entering the elevator, he encountered Sarah Page, the seventeen-year old white elevator operator who was on duty at the time. It has never been determined with any certainty whether the two young people were acquainted. A clerk at Renberg's, a clothing store located on the first floor of the Drexel, heard what sounded like a woman's scream and observed a young black man hurriedly leaving the building. Upon rushing to the elevator, the clerk found Page in what he perceived to be a distraught state. The clerk reached the conclusion that the young woman had been assualted and subsequently summoned the authorities. She later admitted he was innocent.

Many of the members of the Church Swap group became emotional as they learned of the lost potential of the thriving black settlement, which was called "Black Wall Street" because of the many successful African-Americans who lived there, including attorneys, teachers and the a top surgeon.

Tulsa African-Americans received a formal apology for the riots a few years ago. They were also promised reparations. However, they have not collected them. The city also funded scholarships and a multi-purpose center in the area.