Maya McFadden photos
Some of the many guests at Saturday's gala.
Maya McFadden Photos
Links members and supporters gather to celebrate organization's 50th anniversary in 2nd floor ballroom of the New Haven Omni Hotel.
A historic Black female advocacy organization celebrated half a century of sisterhood and service at its first in-person gala since the start of the pandemic.
That celebration took place at the Omni Hotel on Temple Street Saturday night during a gala celebrating the New Haven Chapter of The Links Inc.
Over the past two years, the Links, a nonprofit rooted in community service and philanthropy, paused its in-person celebrations, including its annual fundraising event.
This Saturday dozens of Links members, supporters, and aspiring future members celebrated the return of the nonprofit’s black tie gala.
The event honored the chapter’s organizers, Patricia and Jean Downing, who began serving the New Haven community 50 years ago and continue to volunteer today.
Links leaders Toni Harp and Cathy Graves honor chapter organizers Patricia and Jean Downing.
Michael Jai White thanks Links for award.
The New Haven chapter also recognized actor Michael Jai White with an arts and economic development award for his plans to build Jaigantic Studios in New Haven to bring film-making, offices, dining options, and retail space to Fair Haven’s industrial waterfront.
“I’m so lucky,” White said on Saturday. “Being from where I’m from, we know the chances of me eventually finding my authentic self and having an opportunity to live my best life” is challenging.
White said he hopes to give back to the community and have the studio provide arts opportunities for all ages in the community. “I want to give them the opportunities that I didn’t have,” he said. “And not only the youth, but everybody.”
Ashley Watson poses for 360 video booth.
Attendees at Saturday’s even celebrated by taking selfies and plenty of other photos at the event-provided photo booths.
Before guests danced the night away, several prizes were auctioned off to thank guests for their support. A silent auction and raffle included prizes like two free round trip Avelo Airlines flights, a $1,000 gift card, and multiple gift baskets.
The money raised at the event and with more than 300 ticket sales will be used to fund the organization’s scholarship fund for high school students aspiring to attend college, particularly Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU).
Over the years, the Links organization has helped fund 300,000 high schoolers on their way to college.
A custom art print titled “Link of Courage” made by artist Larry “Poncho” Brown was also on sale at the event. The photo was made as a symbol for Links Inc. co-founders Margaret Rosell Hawkins and Sarah Strichland Scott. It pictured four women linked at the arms.
The New Haven chapter provided each new member with the print.
Guests look over silent auction prizes.
New Haven Links member Joy Gary joined the organization earlier this year, fulfilling a long-term goal of hers.
“I always knew I wanted to be around a group of women who dedicate time to community,” she said.
Gary is on the board of the Downtown Evening Soup Kitchen (DESK) and said she hopes to do more service work in New Haven.
“I want to give back as much as can,” she said.
Gary said several other women in her family have joined the Links over the years, and their membership inspired her to join too. Most recently, Gary said she enjoyed a visit to a local middle school where Links members spoke with students about different career pathways.
Engineering and Science University Magnet School (ESUMS) graduate Bethany Turnage joined mentor and city Health Director Maritza Bond, who is also a Links member.
Turnage now attends both the University of Connecticut and Southern Connecticut State University. She currently works as a paraprofessional with 4th-6th graders at Church Street School.
She hopes to join Links to better prepare to one day become a teacher, and then a school district superintendent, she said.
“A sisterhood would be a game changer,” she said. “I want that support and growth opportunity. They plug you in to the right sources and experiences.”
Chapter president and former New Haven Mayor Toni Harp said current members are standing on the shoulders of the organization’s founders.
Kim Fletcher, Sheila Carmon, and Yolanda Holmes.
Yolanda Holmes, a member of the Milford Links chapter, attended Saturday’s celebration in support of the national organization and friends like Sheila Carmon.
Carmon was among a trio of members on Saturday celebrating the 20-year anniversaries of their respective memberships in the Links.
She described Links as a “wonderful network of amazing women who are committed to friendship and service” with its 17,000 members across the country.
This past May, the New Haven chapter inducted 11 new members.
This year, the Links organization has mostly returned from gathering via Zoom to meeting again in-person.
Carmon said the Zoom shift helped to solidify members’ bonds with each other and the community.
Live music renditions of “Killing Me Softly With His Song” by Fugees played throughout the night. Around 10 p.m., guests were invited to the dance floor to celebrate the evening of honorees and fundraising.
