Waco Central Texas Chapter of The Links, Incorporated

Links FIT

Waco Chapter of The Links, Inc., collaborated with Bledsoe Miller Recreation Center to present “FIT,” a one-day career and health conference for girls.

Links members used the beauty industry as 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, hairstylist, Mia Moody, Ph.D., writer/professor, Terri Woods-Campbell, MD, physician, Vashon Sutherland, engineer, Josette Ayres, marketing, and Connie Powell, JD, lawyer. 

The health/hygiene component of the workshop focused on the spread of germs from one person to another and the importance of hand washing.

“Participants are always amazed at the amount of dirt left on their hands,” said Link Felicia Coleman, who helped coordinate the activity with Link Connie Powell. “We hope they are encouraged to spend more time washing them.”

Similarly, the Emergency Pack It up and Travel activity helped participants focus on important items to pack in an emergency evacuation.

“The basis of this activity was lessons learned from Hurricane Katrina,” said Link Powell.

The fun-filled day culminated with a Zumba activity coordinated by Link Sonya Todd, who also teaches aerobics classes at the local YMCA. Todd’s activity focused on fun and healthy aspects of exercising while listening to popular music.

“We hope all of these activities will encourage participants to be well-rounded,” said President Ayres. “The future of the black family is dependent on them learning basic skills from programs such as this.”