Audrey Davis

Chapter President
Shelby County (TN) Chapter
The Links Incorporated

From Our President:

A Message from Audrey Davis,
President
Shelby County (TN) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated

Dear Friends, Partners and Community: 

I am delighted to bring you greetings on behalf of the Shelby County (TN) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated. This year, we proudly celebrate the 40th anniversary of our award-winning  chapter, and I extend my deepest appreciation to all who have supported our many outreach initiatives.  

Over the past four decades, our legacy has continued to be defined by compassionate and impactful service to our communities. And today, we stand on the shoulders of dynamic trailblazers who opened doors of hope and healing to those in need of our support and encouragement. Our Shelby County Links are visionary business and government leaders, healthcare professionals, educators, nonprofit executives, mentors, and volunteers.  Through our collective vision, knowledge, talents and resources, we’ve continued to make transformative strides in our strategic areas of service.  

Through our annual Leadership Academy and Beautillion, we work diligently to prepare teen males for success through programs focusing on work and school responsibility, goal-setting, health and fitness, financial literacy, communications and time management.  We take pride in the fact that over a period of three decades, more than 500 young males have completed training through our academy. The greatest outcome of this investment is that these young men are “giving back” as successful and active citizens in numerous fields that add value to the quality of life within our city and nation.  Additionally, we provide scholarships to college-bound young men through our Bobbie Vaulx Stokes scholarship program.  

Our many community outreach programs also include more than 30 years of continuous service to our Chapter’s adopted school, Double Tree Elementary, in Memphis, TN.  Our work consists of numerous activities sponsored by our Arts facet, tutoring sessions, career awareness programs, STEM projects, health and fitness initiatives, and teacher appreciation events.  

Our National Trends and Services facet is working to reduce barriers to resources through advocacy, education, and service. Our initiatives include a financial literacy class that is shared with our Leadership Academy teens and focuses on budgeting, credit banking, investing and personal finance. 

In the area of International Trends and Services, we’re hosting learning sessions on the global work of the United Nations. We also continue to be dedicated supporters of the Education Across Miles international mission in Jamaica, spearheaded by the national Links organization. 

Our Health and Human Services facet continues to address health disparities in the African American community by enhancing awareness regarding healthcare, nutrition, and overall wellness through such programs as the Links’ Annual Black Family Wellness Expo.  

We are also proud of our Chapter’s active support of Historically Black Colleges and Universities. Our HBCUs continue to be outstanding pathways to career opportunities for diverse students who will serve as role models for our next generation of leaders. 

As you can see, the Shelby County Links are on the move and our enthusiasm grows with every step we take along this journey. As we celebrate four decades of friendship and service, we embrace opportunities to continue to be leading voices of positive change and progress within our communities for generations to come. 

 

Audrey Davis

President 

Shelby County (TN) Chapter, The Links, Incorporated