The Circle City (IN) Chapter of The Links Incorporated has a rich legacy of providing service to the community. This November the chapter will celebrate its 20th anniversary.
This group of more than 40 Indianapolis women is a part of an international organization of over 14,000 women in 281 chapters worldwide, whose common bond is friendship and service. 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. Members of The Links are influential decision makers, civic leaders, activists and role models.
Consistent with other chapters worldwide, the Circle City Chapter of The Links Inc. has five program facets: National Trends and Services, International Trends and Services, The Arts, Services to Youth and Health and Human Services.
Debbie Simmons Wilson, recently-elected president of the Circle City Chapter, says the five facets will continue to be the foundation of the chapter’s community stewardship. She also said the new leadership team’s diverse strengths will continue to enhance an already thriving chapter.
“We are a potpourri of different backgrounds, experiences and capabilities. Collectively we have the talent and resources as a leadership team to lead our organization of women to have a transformational impact on the city of Indianapolis,” said Simmons Wilson. “Our talents align directly with the initiatives that are being done in the Links world. We look forward to continuing partnerships in our community to make a difference.”
In its 20-year history, the Circle City Chapter of The Links, Inc., has made significant contributions in various sectors of the local community through the members’ time and treasure as well as the chapter’s signature events.
“We’ve had several signature events in the past, including the Jazz Brunch,” said Simmons Wilson. “We’ve had the Celebration of the Arts for children in various school districts and we’ve also had ‘A Home for the Holidays’ which takes place each November.”
The 17th annual Jazz Brunch is June 27 at the NCAA Conference Center. During the event, five men will be honored for their leadership and mentoring efforts. This year’s honorees include Kenneth “Biznessman” Allen, founder of Kenneth Allen Foundation for Entrepreneurship; Bernard Franklin, executive vice president of education and development, chief inclusion officer for the NCAA; Matthew Gutwein, president and CEO of Health and Hospital Corporation of Marion County; Chief Richard “Rick” Hite, Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department; and Steven Summerville, co-founder of Indy Youth Sports.
Deborah Oatts, Jazz Brunch event chair and chapter chaplain said proceeds from the Jazz Brunch will benefit the chapter’s program facets.
“We’re best known for the programs we do in the community and that includes the work we’ve done with Coburn Place, Dress for Success and the arts with young people,” said Simmons Wilson.
For more than a decade, the women of the Circle City Chapter have annually impacted hundreds of families at Colburn Place, a not-for profit residential organization that serves adult victims of intimate partner violence and their dependents. Members of the Circle City Chapter of The Links have gifted these families with Thanksgiving baskets, school supplies for children, professional family portraits and various other everyday needs each year.
In addition, several hundred girls have participated in the chapter’s Real World for Real Girls event for those in grades 9-12. The program touches on the STEM curriculum, leadership, aspects of health and more.
In addition to the Jazz Brunch another upcoming chapter event is “Up Her Style Profyle,” an intimate evening of fellowship, shopping and service on June 24 beginning at 6:30 at Profyle Boutique, 2727 E. 86th St. All attendees are asked to bring an item to donate to Dress for Success Indianapolis.
With a new administration in office for just over the past month, Simmons Wilson stated she looks forward to working with her newly elected members.
“We want to continue the successful annual programs we’ve done and will complete a strategic plan in August to identify needs in the community that we as a chapter can put our time, talent and resources toward,” she said.
She added, “We’ve always been an organization based on friendship and giving to the community and I don’t see that changing. That’s why it’s so important for us to do a strategic planning process and talk to leaders at the grassroots level so we can know the challenges based on data.”
For more on the Circle City Chapter of The Links Inc. and the 17th annual Jazz Brunch, visit Circlecitylinks.org.
