SPONSORED
Dr. Jerry Goodwin
Onikah Asamoa-Caesar, founder and owner of Fulton Street Books and Coffee. Photo Provided
The Tulsa (OK) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated hosted its annual gala to recognize local leaders, award scholarships to students, and highlight its community events and activities.
The program, “An Evening of Excellence,” was held at the Tulsa Country Club on April 26. The first event was held in 2008.
Several individuals and students were acknowledged during the evening. The Circle of Friends honorees were Onikah Asamoa-Caesar, founder and owner of Fulton Street Books and Coffee; Ebony Easiley, founder and executive artistic director of Art 4orms Foundation; Dr. Ebony Johnson, superintendent of Tulsa Public Schools; Dr. Tamecca Rogers, director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Tulsa Tech; and corporate awardee, Build in Tulsa. Ashli Sims, managing director, accepted on behalf of the organization.
Ebony Easiley, founder and executive artistic director of Art 4orms Foundation. Photo Provided
Photo Louis Besses
Students receiving college scholarships were high school seniors: Zaire Carter, Holland Hall; Drew Chatman, Union High School; Maxwell Freeman, Booker T. Washington; and Niran Morgan Thomas, Epic Charter Schools. Each student received a $2,500 grant.
The awards ceremony began with a welcome from Felicia Jones-Senter, chair of the Gala. She introduced the mistress of ceremonies, Naomi Keitt, co-anchor at KJRH Channel 2 (NBC). Joel-lyn McCormick, The Links Central Area vice director, delivered a rousing rendition of the national anthem. Following were the Color Guard, then Chapter President Robin Jones offered greetings. Giving additional remarks were St. Sen. Kevin Matthews and St. Rep. Monroe Nichols, also a candidate for mayor for the City of Tulsa, on behalf of the Oklahoma Legislative Black Caucus, and Erran Persley, economic development director for the City of Tulsa.
ROBIN JONES (l), President of The Tulsa (OK) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated recognizes the awardees of the high school senior scholarships (l-r): Zaire Carter, Drew Chatman, and Niran Morgan Thomas. (Not pictured: Maxwell Freeman). Photo Louis Besses
The invocation was provided by Dr. Rodney Goss of Morning Star Baptist Church. During dinner, the audience was entertained by Jerrell Jackson and Friends and shown highlights of the chapter’s programming for 2023-2024.
After dinner, the following members spoke to those in attendance: Valerie Ragsdale, program chair, and the following facet chairs: Michelle Anderson, Services to Youth Facet; Veronica Goss, Arts Facet; Cassandra Adair, International Trends and Services Facet; Lauren Oldham, National Trends and Services Facet; and Dr. Rhonda Johnson, Health and Human Facet.
Talent selections were provided on two occasions that evening by Jada Day, a praise/interpretive dancer, and Marquisha Thomas, violinist. Following the talent performances, Brenda Burnett announced the college scholarships.
Yvonne Underwood Holmes presented the Circle of Friends’ honorees before closing remarks were given. A dance was held after the dinner program.
Sponsors of the evening were Gold level: Paul and Patricia Samuels and Morgan Stanley, and Bronze level: Dr. Eleanor C. and Larry Payne, Drs. Kenneth and Terri Reed, Elocin Psychiatric Services, Invest North, Joseph and Joel-lyn A. McCormick, Justice for Greenwood, Larry and Juanita Robinson and Lizzy’s Voice, Melody Phillips, OneGas, Robin Jones, Runako Whittaker, M.D., Syeachia Dennis-Lucas, M.D., and Kindred Health Equity Partners, Yvonne Underwood Holmes, and Yvonne Hovell.
The Gala Committee members were Felicia Jones-Senter, chair; Robin Jones, chapter president; Joel-lyn McCormick, JD, Central Area vice director; Christie Boyd; Yvonne Underwood Holmes; Yvonne Hovell; Ryuko Mahan, Eleanor Payne, Ed.D.; and Runako Whittaker, M.D.
Officers are Robin Jones, president; Regina Baker, vice president; Cherita Harris, recording secretary; Veronica Goss, corresponding secretary; Johnnetta Johnson, treasurer; and Christie Boyd, financial secretary.
Members of The Tulsa (OK) Chapter, The Links, Incorporated pictured are (front, l-r) Veronica Goss, Yolanda Mitchell, Cherita Harris, Robin Jones, Joel-lyn McCormick, Regina Baker, Johnnetta Johnson, and Christie Boyd. Second row are (l-r) Felicia Senter, Carlisha Williams-Bradley, Eleanor Payne, Kimberly Beasley, Terri Reed, Monique Armstrong, Ryuko Mahan, Tiffany Freeman, Brenda Burnett, Syeachia Dennis, Runako Whittaker, Kimberley Dyer, and Nicole Washington. On the back row are (l-r) Marie Williams, Melody Phillips, Latricia Dawkins, Rhonda Johnson, Cassandra Adair, Lauren Oldham, Michelle Anderson, Valerie Aldridge, Yvonne Hovell, Kimyatta Brent, and Yvonne Underwood Holmes.
For more information, contact tulsalinks@tulsalinksinc.net or visit https://www.tulsalinks.org/
Members of The Tulsa (OK) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated (front, l-r) Veronica Goss, Yolanda Mitchell, Cherita Harris, Robin Jones, Joel-lyn McCormick, Regina Baker, Johnnetta Johnson, and Christie Boyd. Second row are (l-r) Felicia Senter, Carlisha Williams-Bradley, Eleanor Payne, Kimberly Beasley, Terri Reed, Monique Armstrong, Ryuko Mahan, Tiffany Freeman, Brenda Burnett, Syeachia Dennis, Runako Whittaker, Kimberley Dyer, and Nicole Washington. On the back row are (l-r) Marie Williams, Melody Phillips, Latricia Dawkins, Rhonda Johnson, Cassandra Adair, Lauren Oldham, Michelle Anderson, Valerie Aldridge, Yvonne Hovell, Kimyatta Brent, and Yvonne Underwood Holmes. Photo Louis Besses
The Links, Incorporated
The Links, Incorporated is an international, not-for-profit corporation established in 1946. It is one of the nation’s oldest and largest volunteer service organizations committed to enriching, sustaining, and ensuring the culture of African Americans and other people of African ancestry. The organization has more than 17,000 members in 299 chapters located in 41 states, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of the Bahamas, and the United Kingdom. The Tulsa (OK) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated was established in 1964.
###
