BHAM GAZETTE

Newsletter of the Birmingham Chapter of The Links, Incorporated

December 2013

Birmingham Chapter

OFFICERS

President

Link Vanessa Falls Vice President

Link Janine Pearson Johnson Recording Secretary

Link Monique Gardner-Witherspoon Assistant Recording Secretary

Link Anne Hooks Corresponding Secretary

Link Malena Cunningham Treasurer

Link Angelene Whatley Financial Secretary

Link Brenda Adams Historian

Link Carnetta Nabors Davis Parliamentarian

Link Samuetta Nesbitt Chaplain

Link Camelia Holmes Program Chair

Link Cathy Bradford

FACET CHAIRS

Services to Youth

Link Erica Prewitt The Arts

Link Anne Hooks National Trends and Services

Link Nyya Parson-Hudson International Trends and Services

Link Martha Emmett Health and Human Services

Link Marquita Furness Davis

MEMBERS

Link Ronda K. Bell Link Rhonda Cantelow

Link Mia Cowan Link Daagye Hendricks Link Gaynell Hendricks

Link Kim Hitchens Link Diann Jackson

Link Marva Owens James Link Jewrette Yovonne Johnson

Link Cheryl Anderson Kidd Link Bobbie Knight

Link Carol Kirby McElderry Link Debra Nelson

Link Deveta Peoples Link Stephanie Rayborn Link Anabela Simon-Lee

Link Shandra Jackson Smith Link Demetruis Taylor

Link Tamara Jones Travis Link Debra Weston-Pickens Link Cheryl Cephus Vickers

Link Iris Williams Link Bonika Wilson

PLATINUM MEMBERS

Link Richardene B. Chadwell Link Merlyn White Evans

ALUMNI MEMBERS

Link Lydia Lewis Alexander Link Maxine Anderson Collins

Link Margaret Gore Cason Link Minnie W. Finley Link Juanita O. Hixon

Link Mamie Helen Hymes Link Tamara Harris Johnson

Link Constance Gardner Jones Link Gloria Kennon

Link Josie Gardner Kirby Link Helen Shores Lee

Link Helen M. Lewis Link Ceola H. Montgomery

Link Dannetta K. Thornton Owens Link Barbara S. Shores

PO Box 12071

Birmingham, AL 35202

www.bhamlinksinc.org

President’s Message:

It’s hard to believe that the year is almost over. It seems only a few days

ago, we were laughing at each other at our wonderful summer retreat. As

this year comes to an end, I cannot help but reflect on what we have achieved

so far as a chapter and what we will achieve in the future. The fact that we

have had so many successful programs is not by accident. It is because we

are a TEAM, working together to provide sustainable, transformational

programs to our community and to our world. Transformational programs

are:

• Programs that are not merely an extension or improvement over the past, but programs in

which the new level of performance is audacious.

• They call for a new level of innovation and collaboration.

• They excite the people of the organization and unleash their passion and creativity.

• They experience change that is profound fundamental and irreversible.

• They experience a metamorphosis.

• They excite the community.

As this year draws to an end, I pray that each of you have a very blessed Christmas and a prosperous

New Year. My dear Link Sisters, please make sure you take time to be with your family and friends

because we sometimes get so busy that we take them for granted. Family and friends are very

special to have, so please cherish them, love them, and let them know every day how very much

you appreciate them.

With abiding friendship and love,

Link Vanessa Health)

BIRMINGHAM (AL) CHAPTER OF THE LINKS, INCORPORATED PARTICIPATES IN THE KOMEN RACE FOR THE CURE

L-r, Links Rhonda Cantelow, Diann Jackson, Brenda

Adams and Ronda Bell

Once again the members of the Birmingham (AL)

Chapter braced the early 5:00 am fall chill and

volunteered at the annual Susan G. Komen Race for

the Cure event, by not only participating in the race,

but also cutting up bananas, apples, oranges, and bagels for the runners and walkers to have at the

end of the race. Members of the chapter volunteer each year to serve in some way at the North

Central of Alabama Race for the Cure. It is one of the major projects of the Health and Human

Services Facet. The Komen Race for the Cure Series raises significant funds and awareness for the

fight against breast cancer, celebrates breast cancer survivorship, and honors those who have lost

their battle with the disease. The Birmingham (AL) Chapter also made a financial donation which

is to be used specially for the Circle of Promise.

The Circle of Promise is a movement designed to further engage black women around the globe in

the fight against breast cancer. Although breast cancer continues to impact people from all

backgrounds, there are significant differences within the mortality rates among racial groups.

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During the early 1980s, breast cancer death rates for white and African American women were about equal. Incidence

rates stabilized among African American women aged 50 and older during 1994-2007, while rates decreased by 0.6%

per year from 1991-2007 among women under age 50.4.

Additionally, in recognition of Breast Cancer

Awareness Month, members of the chapter

wore pink to the October business meeting.

Prior to the business meeting, Timiya Nolan, a

Nurse Practitioner at UAB, provided the

members with information and packets on breast

care and the importance of self breast exams and

getting yearly mammograms.

The Links, Incorporated has partnered with

Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure® to promote

the Circle of Promise to local communities by

working with the 270 chapters and Susan G.

Komen for the Cure® affiliates and the Komen

on the Go™ mobile trailer. The Links,

Incorporated mobilize to reach and teach

African American communities about proper

breast health care in an effort to eliminate the

disproportionate number of lives lost to breast

cancer.

BIRMINGHAM (AL) CHAPTER OF THE LINKS, INCORPORATED HOST A SUCCESSFUL INSTRUMENT DRIVE Links Demetruis Taylor and Angelene Whatley accept a donation

The Birmingham (AL) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated

held an Instruments Drive in partnership with the

Birmingham Chapter of Jack and Jill of America, Inc. to

collect gently used and new instruments as well as donations

for the students in the Joining Artist and Music in the

Schools (JAMS) program. The Birmingham (AL) Chapter

of The Links, Incorporated, supports music education

initiatives through its signature project, JAMS. The Chapter

believes that each student deserves the opportunity to

receive accessible music instruction and equipment in order to realize his/her full learning potential and to fulfill

possible dreams and/or career aspirations, but more importantly to enjoy the transformational powers of music.

Although inner city Birmingham students have access to instruments for in class learning, evidence supports a void in

external classroom instruction and practice due to a lack of instruments and equipment. It is the desire of the

Birmingham (AL) Chapter to provide instruments to each student so that they can have an instrument to practice with

at home. The President, Link Vanessa Falls, stated in an interview with KISS-98.7 radio announcer, Isis Jones that the

Birmingham (AL) Chapter hopes to place instruments in the homes and hearts of each of the JAMS students. Summit

Media Group (KISS-98.7) also partnered with the Birmingham (AL) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated to keep

listeners informed about the instrument drive.

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The Birmingham (AL) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated was awarded a grant from the Jack and Jill of America

Foundation, Inc. to be used to foster their efforts with the JAMS program. The purpose of the JAMS program is to:

Increase music education and appreciation in the school;

make instruments available to the students and provide peer

mentors to assist with instruction; prepare students to make

meaningful contributions in the world as performers,

teachers and scholars; enrich and engage the broader

community through performances and education, and

improve academic performance, and increase scholarships

in higher education.

Members of the Chapter made a five (5) year commitment

to the school district for implementation of the program. The

program includes:

1. Instructional enhancement, which is the goal to provide

external support needed to

increase the number of eligible qualifying students for state

and local musical. This included solicitation of volunteers or paid assistants to advance the preparation of students for

competition.

2. The interactive workshop goal was exposure to non‐traditional musical experiences.This includes facilitating hands

on activities designed to express the many positive ways music helps in individual development.

3. Expressive Musical Extravaganza, which is the goal for the student to experience a collaboration of various musical

genres. This includes short performances by local musical talents.

4. Scholarships to further the school year training offer of more opportunity for personalized instruction and encourage

the non‐band students.

5. Finale Assembly, which is the goal to showcase the culmination of the academic year. Recognition of participants

and a reception will also be part of the finale.

The Jack and Jill of America

Foundation is the philanthropic arm

of Jack and Jill of America, Inc.

which consists of over 200 chapters

throughout the United States. Since

the Foundation’s inception in 1968,

chapters have been instrumental in

supporting community based

organizations that help children and

families. The Foundation, which is

based in Washington, D.C., has

distributed millions of dollars to

non-profit organizations all across

America, and continues to deepen

its vision with Jack and Jill of

America, Inc. as the needs of

families and children become more

complex in the 21st century.

Birmingham (AL) Chapter and Jack

and Jill members join forces to collect

instruments

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BIRMINGHAM (AL) CHAPTER CELEBRATES FRIENDSHIP MONTH “A friend is a person who knows all about you, and still likes you.”

Members of the Birmingham (AL) Chapter

celebrated Friendship Month and the founding

of The Links, Incorporated with several

wonderful activities. The first activity was the

presentation of a play to the membership,

written by Link Janine Pearson Johnson a.k.a.

Shonda Rhimes. The wonderfully crafted play

portrayed the founding of The Links,

Incorporated. The play also weaved various

historical facts, which were epic during the

year of 1946 into the story line. The characters

were portrayed by: Links Monique

Witherspoon, Carol McElderry, Brenda

Adams, Samuetta Nesbitt, Angelene Whatley,

Nyya Parson Hudson, Kim Hitchens, Janine

Pearson Johnson and Vanessa Falls. After the

play, members fellowshipped with each other,

dined on a delicious meal, and enjoyed a game

of “Name that Link”. The winner of the game

was Link Carnetta Davis. The room was beautifully decorated with seasonal cut flower arrangements and festive

décor made possible by Link Bobbie Knight.

The friendship activities continued on Sunday, November 10th by celebrating Founders’ Day through praise and

worship. Members attended church services at The Worship Center. Special recognition was given to the chapter by

The Worship Center. This was made possible by Link Stephanie Rayborn.

The final friendship activity was Girls Nite Out - Dinner and a Movie. Members met for lunch at the Village Tavern

and then enjoyed the wonderful long awaited sequel to The Best Man, The Best Man Holiday from writer director

Malcolm Lee. After the movie, members could be seen with puffy eyes and streaked make up. The movie left members

with mixed emotions, but fun and fellowship was enjoyed by all in attendance. Members of the social committee,

Links Daagye Hendricks, Mia Cowan, Anabela Simon-Lee and Debra Weston Pickens, made an excellent choice in

this friendship activity.

Although, the members of The Links, Incorporated designate the month of November as “friendship month”, we the

members of the Birmingham (AL) Chapter are always striving to be better friends. We believe we can always improve

on becoming better friends by doing the following:

1. If you make a promise, live up to that promise.

2. Be punctual, dependable, and reliable.

3. Show up when she needs you.

4. Be yourself. Who else can you be?

5. Accept that you are human and make mistakes. Apologize if you have said or done something wrong.

6. Accept that she is human and may make mistakes. Offer forgiveness.

7. Try not to moan too much.

8. Don’t be guilty of giving out too much information (TMI) about yourself too soon.

9. Be loyal and trustworthy. Resist the urge to gossip or spread rumors about your friend.

10. Be a good listener, tune in to what your friend is saying, and try not to interrupt.

11. Let your friend know you are interested in her and make sure everything isn’t about you.

12. Give her enough space so she doesn’t feel boxed in.

13. Accept that you won’t always be on the same page because you are two different people.

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14. Be willing to make sacrifices and compromise.

15. Be a comfort blanket but don’t smother her.

16. Remember if she detests olives in her salad or anchovies on her pizza.

17. Resist saying “I told you so” even if you did.

18. If she has three sick kids, offer to help out.

19. Don’t sleep with her boyfriend or be overly flirtatious with her husband.

20. Share her successes and find ways to celebrate them.

21. Don’t brag too much when she’s feeling down.

22. Don’t let too much time elapse between get-togethers.

23. Don’t be shy about letting her know when her behavior is endangering her health or is likely to have other

adverse consequences.

24. Don’t harp and constantly remind her of her bad habits.

25. Let her know how much you value her friendship.

HISTORY IN YOUR BACKYARD The National Trends and Services facet presented the “History in Your Backyard”

program at A.H. Parker High School on Wednesday, November 6, 2013, to a select

group of juniors and seniors. The one-day symposium was held to commemorate the

50th anniversary of the civil rights movement. The event, “History in Your

Backyard,’’ highlighted Birmingham foot soldiers who helped fight for justice and

equality in the 1960s.

During the program, Chapter President- Link Vanessa Falls and Link Daagye

Hendricks presented a special award to Link Dannetta K. Thornton-Owens for her

contributions to Parker High School and the Smithfield community.

The goal of the program was to provide students with a better

understanding of Birmingham’s civil rights movement and the significant roles that

people in the students’ very own community played to make the movement of 1963 a movement that changed the world. Students learned about the critical role Parker High

School students played in the movement, heard the Shores’ sisters’ accounts of growing

up with their father and viewed photos provided by AL.com from the movement. “The

Barber of Birmingham,” an Academy Award-nominated documentary about the life of

Birmingham foot soldier and barber James Armstrong, was also shown.

Speakers included class of 1963 Parker High School student, Anne Marie Adams; Shirley Floyd, President

of the Civil Rights Action Committee;

Circuit Court Judge Helen Shores Lee and

Barbara Shores, authors of The Gentle Giant

of Dynamite Hill; and Barnett Wright, author

of 1963 How the Birmingham Civil Rights

Movement Changed America and the World

and writer for the Birmingham News.

President of the Birmingham City School

Board, Atty. Randall Woodfin and Executive

Director of the City of Birmingham Department of Youth Service, Cedric Sparks

ended the symposium with a challenge to the

participants to pass on to their peers the rich

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history of the Smithfield community and to never forget the legacy of strength and determination from which

they come.

As parting gifts from our chapter, each participant received a signed copy of The Gentle Giant

of Dynamite Hill, and the school received a beautiful art piece detailing the rich history of the

Smithfield community and Parker High School.

Thank you to all that attended the

History in Your Backyard program! Present at the event were: Link

Vanessa Falls, Link Cheryl Cephus-

Vickers, Link Carol McElderry,

Link Cheryl Kidd, Link Daagye

Hendricks, Link Angelene Whatley,

Link Gaynell Hendricks, Link

Malena Cunningham, Link Anne

Hooks, Link Erica Prewitt, Link

Diann Jackson, Link Nyya Parson-

Hudson and Link Samuetta Nesbitt.

A clip of the program may be found

at http://j.cbs42.com/uhm74.

ALLY WALLET WISE FINANCIAL LITERACY The Birmingham Chapter of The Links, Incorporated, led by the National Trends and

Services committee, kicked off our 2013-2014 Ally Wallet Wise Financial Literacy

Workshop at Jackson Olin on October 23, 2013. Link Vanessa Falls began the session

by introducing The Links organization and explaining the organizations’ commitment

to the community. Link Nyya Hudson then encouraged each student to introduce him

or herself.

Wallet Wise is a financial education program created by Ally Financial that teaches consumers the basics of

budgeting, credit, banking and investing. Our organization, The Links, is committed to providing this

education to our community because we believe financial literacy is critical to success. We all make

decisions about money, but the goal of the Wallet Wise program is that we make WISE decisions.

The students accepted the WISE challenge, which was an encouragement to the students to attend all three

sessions, actively engage in all sessions, and participate in the exercises for each session.

Link Bonika Wilson led the session, which focused on budgeting terms, how to prepare a budget, how to

maintain a budget, and how to revise a budget. The session ended with a budget simulation and students

completed a budget for an educator with direction on income and expenses. As a group, we discussed areas

of potential modifications for our budget. The class was very engaged and interested in the material being

presented. The Budgeting session was a very successful workshop!

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TEENS GUIDE TO DOLLARS AND SENSE

Banker Deno Posey talks to students

The “Teens Guide to Dollars and Sense” committee met

with the students at Jackson Olin High School on

Wednesday November 13, 2013.

The session began with Deno Posey at Regions Bank

discussing banking and investments. Mr. Posey

challenged the participants by asking them questions

about savings,

IRA’s and

stocks. The participants were rewarded with great gifts to include

lunch bags and piggy banks provided by Regions. The students

were very interested in the session. They had great responses and

participated throughout the session. The session concluded with

the Wallet Wise section on banking and investing. This included

the students writing checks, learning how to endorse the check

properly, and participating in fun trivia led by Link Bonika Wilson.

Links in attendance were Link Iris Williams and Link Camelia

Holmes. The students are looking forward to the next session where they will learn about credit and

participate in a poverty simulation.

STARS IN SCHOOL (Students Take a Role at the Samford)

A Joint Project Between

Birmingham (AL) Chapter of the Links, Incorporated & Virginia

Samford Theatre

The Birmingham (AL) Chapter partnered with the Virginia Samford Theatre (VST) to provide the STARS IN

SCHOOL program for 5th graders at Phillips Academy. The program kicked off on Tuesday, October 1 and sessions

were held on Tuesdays and Fridays from 9-10 AM. Principal, Dr. Mark Sullivan, and Phillips staff members were very

enthusiastic about this project and were instrumental in ensuring cooperation between the school and all others

involved.

The program was designed to bring a theatre curriculum to elementary school children by placing theatre teaching

artists into the children’s classrooms. This pilot program targeted twenty students from grade five at the Phillips

Academy in the Birmingham City School System. Four teaching artists conducted fifteen hour-long classes and one

dress rehearsal over an eight week period that culminated with a performance at the Virginia Samford Theatre.

Materials, supplies, t-shirts and programs were supplied to students. The curriculum included an introduction to basic

theatre practice in terms of performance, playwriting and production. Elements included building the actor/audience

relationship, developing a character, and creating stage pictures. The major thrust of this pilot program involved

playwriting including storytelling, play structure, conflict, and dialogue. The goal was for each student or pairs of

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students to write a short script that could be produced onstage. These short productions were the basis for the

performance that was unveiled at the VST on November 21.

As an added bonus, all 4th and 5th grade students at Phillips were assembled on November 8 to view the documentary

entitled “The Start of Dreams” that was introduced by Atlanta-based filmmakers Ryon and Tyson Horne. This film

tells the story of award-winning director Kenny Leon

bringing aspiring teenage actors to a Broadway stage in his

annual August Wilson Monologue competition. As with Mr.

Leon, who uses his influence to expose young people to the

arts, it is also a goal of the Birmingham Chapter to introduce

the arts to young children at schools that may not have the

resources for these enrichment programs.

Pictured - Arts Committee members with filmmakers, The

Horne Brothers, at Phillips Academy

The final performance was held at the VST on November 21.

The students were transported to the VST that afternoon

where they were treated to pizza and provided with t-shirts

created especially for this project. They rehearsed their

performance and at 7:30 p.m. performed for an invited

audience of parents, fellow students, administrators, teachers and other patrons including Birmingham Chapter

members. Their performance was outstanding and enjoyed by all.

Students that participated were:

Ms. Dillard's Class - Noah Harville, Christyln Lumzy, Kennedi Banks, Taelor Boston, Morgan Tate, Bryanna

Williams, and Nia McMickens

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Ms. Holmes’ Class - Lawson Kidd, Jahla Carrington, Kaila Benjamin, Gabrielle Goldsmith, Victoria Kindall,

and Kameryn Abdur-Rasheed

Mr. Fine's Class - Alyssa Moore, Joshua Underwood, Marlon Taylor, Jaeden Henderson, Sydiah Ervin,

Rachel Coley, and Alexandria Collins

An outstanding group of teaching artists helped to facilitate this effort. They were:

Chalethia Williams, MFA, Professional Director and Actress, Miles College Professor

Rebecca Yeager, MFA, Professional Actress and Teacher, Alabama State University Adjunct

Dallas Taylor, Senior, Birmingham Southern College, Professional Actor and Choreographer

Roy Hudson, MFA, Artistic Director, Virginia Samford Theatre, Co-Founder of STARS (Students Take a

Role at the Samford), 2009 Alabama Teacher of the Year

Many thanks to the Arts Committee, chaired by Link Anne Hooks, co-chair Link Malena Cunningham, and

members Links Carnetta Davis, Monique Gardner-Witherspoon, Gaynell Hendricks, Jewrette J. Johnson,

Debra Nelson, Samuetta Nesbitt and Shandra Smith.

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Glen Iris and Lewis Elementary Schools have been selected by the Arts

Committee to participate in The Links, Incorporated’s National Poster Art

Competition. This year’s theme is Get Smart, Get Healthy — Make Health a

Habit!

Initial meetings were held with the principals, Dr. Michael Wilson of Glen Iris

and Ms. Irene Hunter of Lewis, to review the guidelines of the competition. The

principals have expressed their appreciation and excitement about their schools

being selected by the Birmingham Chapter.

Each principal has identified a designee at their school site to work with the

Birmingham Chapter to implement the competition. Both schools have

submitted names of student participants in 4th and 5th grades and the

Birmingham Chapter has provided the required poster and foam boards for

participants. We expect that all poster submissions will be completed in December before the holiday break.

Each student participant will receive a certificate of participation and there will be 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners at

each school. The six front-runners, three from both schools, will receive prizes and advance to the finals in January,

2014, where they will be judged by Birmingham (AL)

Chapter members. One of the six finalists will go on to

compete nationally.

At the request of the school, Link Monique Gardner-

Witherspoon attended a student meeting to discuss the

competition at Glen Iris on October 22. Ann Marie

Jemison, Curriculum Specialist at Glen Iris

Elementary School, stated that “This will provide

another great opportunity to support Dr. Wilson's

vision toward educating the students at Glen Iris on the

importance of choosing a healthy lifestyle.”

Link Monique Gardner-Witherspoon with Glen Iris

Elementary Students

SERVICES TO YOUTH FALL ACTIVITIES

Link Mia Cowan with youth at the A.G. Gaston Boys & Girls Club

This year, Services to Youth and National Trends and Services

Facets have partnered with the A.G. Gaston Boys & Girls Club.

This month, STY has hosted two activities with the youth at the

club. On November 6th, Services to Youth presented “Healthy

Eating. Healthy Living- a discussion with Dr. Mia Cowan” to the

children at the Boys & Girls Club, ages 7-17. Link Mia Cowan

discussed the importance of making healthy food choices and

exercising to the children. The session was an open discussion and

the children asked plenty of questions about how they can make

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better decisions and lead healthier lives. After the discussion, the children were given healthy snacks to take home.

This activity was especially appropriate since it was also National Healthy Eating Day.

On November 20th, STY hosted a Yoga Class at the

Club. Elizabeth Williams from The Yoga Circle

donated her time as instructor for the class. She went

through a brief history of yoga and its many health

benefits. The children participated in a full hour yoga

session with Ms. Williams and were actually able to

do everything she showed them. There was a lot of

laughter during the session but the children also

listened and followed the instructor’s directions

beautifully! Some of the club instructors participated

as well. After the yoga class, the children asked the

instructor if she would come back and teach them

every week. The children and adults, all enjoyed

themselves learning the basics of yoga exercise.

Congratulations to Link Daagye Hendricks, newly elected Birmingham Board of Education member- District 4.

Girls Incorporated of Central Alabama, headed by its President & CEO, Link Monique Gardner-Witherspoon,

won Affiliate of the Year at their recent Regional Conference for the third consecutive year.

Link Bonika Wilson’s company, Wilson Capital Management Inc., was Bronze Winner of the 2013 Stevie's

Women in Business Award COMPANY OF THE YEAR — BUSINESS SERVICES.