The Shreveport Links have always taken a comprehensive approach to serving our community. From social to cultural to educational, from the beginning, the women of Shreveport understood that service and empowerment requires a multi-pronged approach. The National Program Facets – Services to Youth, Freedom, and the Arts, National and International Trends and Services have been the focal point for the Shreveport Links as exemplified through the Champagne Sip held on November 9, 1973, where the formal presentation of Shreveport (LA) Chapter Links, Incorporated was held at the at Holiday Inn North.

50 years of SUPPORTING THE ARTS!! We have always been connected to the Arts as we have understood the importance of both the Arts as an integral part of understanding and celebrating the African Culture! In the 1980s, the Shreveport LA Chapter of the Links connected renowned artists with local students. On February 20th, Frances Marsh Ellis, National Director of the Arts for the Links, Incorporated and concert soprano conducted seminars at Green Oaks High School and Bethune High School! seminars in partnership with Southern University. In 1983, we began La Fiesta de les Artes and art festival held at the convention center. This festival featured live music and a celebration of various types of art to culinary arts, crafts, ethnic arts which were all open to the public!

From this beginning, the Shreveport Links’ commitment to the Arts took flight. We continually supported local artists such as Karen LaBeau and Dr. Angelique Feaster Evans, both of whom provided workshops for students at Linwood Charter School and the Black Student Union at LSUS. We have also partnered with the Shreveport Regional Arts Council in their renowned AS IS exhibition featuring internationally renowned artist Nick Cave! Many members spent several hours creating beaded Blanket #9 aptly named – “Friendship” which was featured as a part of the exhibition. Always focused on the power of art to teach, the Shreveport Links focused on our cultural history of quilt-making. We sponsored the Group to teach the children at Caddo Heights how quilts held secrets that assisted in leading our ancestors to freedom. Most recently, we created a beautiful quilt commemorating The Links Incorporated as each facet was represented in this custom-made friendship quilt.

50 YEARS OF SERVING THE YOUTH in the Greater Shreveport Area! One of our first comprehensive projects was Project LEAD: High Expectations where members of the Shreveport Chapter under the direction of President Dr. Albertine Hares worked with students at Northside Elementary School after school. In this program, mentoring, homework support, writing projects and cultural field trips were used as a deterrent from recreational drug use.

Our programming with children expanded to always meet their needs. In partnership with LSUS Health System and LSUS Agriculture Center, we created a comprehensive program. Beginning with school gardens, the children of Caddo Heights learned about healthy eating by planting, harvesting and eating beautiful fruits and vegetables. They also learned about the importance of exercise, good decision making and being strong mentally. Healthy Living programming at Caddo Heights Elementary program.

The International Trends and Services facet provides services and delivers transformational programs to people of African ancestry globally so that they may have a better quality of life. Programs are designed and developed to service educational, health and cultural needs and to help people emerge from poverty. A primary objective of our international work is to enrich the lives of women and their families. Locally, we have proudly supported the Institute of Global Outreach in the Walk for Humanity which supplies essential needs to children in Ethiopia. We are proud to have supported Haitian families after natural disasters through the purchase of toilets and other necessities.

50 years of addressing the social inequities that persist in black communities throughout the United States. The Links, Incorporated and the Shreveport Chapter of the Links Incorporated are committed to raising awareness on economic, health, social justice, and other barriers that affect our quality of life. With the goal of eliminating the disparities in these, the Shreveport Chapter of the Links Incorporated has sponsored yearly Voter Education and Voter Registration drives, seminars regarding cyber-safety, provided Financial Literacy at local HBCU College fairs and to those interested in becoming home-owners and supplied and partnered with Dress for Success to ease the transition back into the workplace for those who have had challenges.

Finally, 50 years of advocating for our collective healthy living! The Links, Incorporated established the Health and Human Services facet in response to the chronic health disparities that persist in black communities and result in the decreased life expectancy of African Americans and other people of African ancestry. The goal of HHS is to promote and facilitate programs that support the maintenance of good health and the elimination of chronic health disparities in communities of color through education, health advocacy, and optimal utilization of health resources. Community education about health risks is crucial and The Links, Incorporated plays a significant role in providing it.
With the Shreveport (LA) Chapter’s legacy of Friendship and Service is a profound legacy of leadership by women who were and are not only leaders in our chapter, but outstanding leaders in the Shreveport Community.