Chapter History

BOLD CITY (FL) CHAPTER HISTORY

In March 1990, members of the Jacksonville Chapter of The Links, Incorporated identified 25 women who were dedicated and committed to community service. The purpose was to ascertain their desire to assist in establishing a second chapter of The Links, Incorporated, in Jacksonville, Florida. As a result, the women who were interested submitted applications and were invited to an organizational session on May 15, 1990.

The interest group chose its name as “The Bold City Connection,” because Jacksonville is known as “The Bold City of the South.” The name “Connection”  represents ” joining together” for service to the Jacksonville community. Thus, “The Bold City Connection” was born. During this time, Josephine E. Hall Fiveash Porter served as President.  On May 29, 1993, 22 members of The Bold City Connection participated in the chartering of the 247th chapter chartered in The Links, Incorporated and the 63rd chapter chartered in the Southern Area, known as the Bold City (FL) Chapter.

The first significant service project for Bold City Chapter was launched during the HIV/AIDS epidemic with the development and distribution of HIV/AIDS Services Directory. Two editions of the Directory were published (l998 and 1999).  In  an effort to render service to the victims and caretakers, the Chapter, under the leadership of Ruth Waters McKay authored three annual HIV/AIDS Services Directories from a $35,000 grant over a three-year period from the City of Jacksonville, Ryan White Foundation. Link Louise Huey identified the funding source, Link Ruth Waters McKay developed the grant applications and led the production of the project along with  Link Brenda  Miller and  Link Francina Dunbar. The directories were made available to the victims by chapter members distributing them throughout the community to  health  care facilities,  caregivers, and victims. In addition, the chapter opened “The Clothes Closet and AIDS Station Support Project” at Saint Stephens African Methodist Church providing the victims with clothes and personal items contributed by chapter members. Funds generated from this project were the impetus for assisting in financing numerous other programs.

The second project of equal importance was “Education Across the Miles -Building Schools for Children of Africa”, which comprised of funds to build a school in Africa. Bold City Chapter was the first individual chapter to donate $10,000 for a school in 1997. A letter from Link Joyce M. Dixon, Southern Area Director, stated “Thrilled, delighted and totally overjoyed described  my emotions when news arrived about a school to be built in South Africa exclusively by the “Bold and Beautiful Chapter”.   The award was presented at the 32nd  National Assembly  in San Francisco, California.  The school’s name is Mabheleeni Elementary School built in One thousand nine hundred and ninety-nine in Ugu Region, Oshabeni Village, Durban, South Africa. Under the dynamic chairperson of International Trends and Services, Gracie Chandler, magazines and school supplies were also sent to Africa in support of the project “Shoe Boxes to Africa”.

Over the last four years, under the guidance of immediate past president Wanda Willis the Chapter continued to flourish despite the pandemic. The Arts Facet partnered with The Cummer Museum and Tiger Academy to create an immersive experience that exposed and educated students about different genres of art, as well as opportunities to pursue a variety of careers in the Arts.

Bold City continued its successful multiyear partnership with AARP to host “Taking Charge of our Future”, which provided a day of complimentary community workshops focused on financial literacy, mental and physical health and other topics of interest to the community.

The Chapter also partnered with our sister Jacksonville Chapter of The Links, Incorporated and Colgate Smiles to host Bright Smiles, Bright Futures, a Dental Van and education center designed to improve the oral health of children in our community.

We partnered with Sulzbacher Village, which provides transitional housing, medical care and educational opportunities for homeless women and children. We established a library, collecting more than 3,000 culturally relevant books and furnishings.

Through its ITS LIFE (International Foreign Affairs and Empowerment) program, the Chapter partnered with Edward Waters University Honors College and supported the student’s co-curriculum. In addition, the Chapter presented $29,000 to students at EWU over four years.

The Bold City Chapter is a four-time Southern Area All Stars awardee. In 2019, the Chapter was honored by the Association for Fundraising Professionals with the Outstanding Champion for Diversity Award.

At the 43^rd National Assembly, the Chapter won 3^rd Place for the Arts Facet for Outstanding Programming and received a $1,000 award.

The Chapter was awarded more than $23,000 in grants for programming over the four years.

Since the chartering of the Chapter 30 years ago, ten dedicated and dynamic women have served as president, each leaving her own unique legacy of leadership, helping to establish the solid foundation upon which the organization continues to thrive.

The Chapter has grown from 22 charter members to more than 50 active members.

Under the leadership of current Chapter President, Aleizha Batson, the Bold City Chapter looks forward to continuing making significant and transformational impacts in the Jacksonville community.