The Tri-Cities Chapter of The Links, Incorporated was officially chartered in 1981, during a time when the Tri-Cities was in transition from being a community mostly built around the Hanford Site. At that time, the area was smaller, with agriculture still playing a central role. Community institutions were emerging to meet the needs of the growing population.
Within this evolving landscape, the Tri-Cities Chapter of The Links, Incorporated was founded by African American women committed to service, civic engagement, and strengthening families. Their work began at a pivotal moment when the region was expanding its identity, helping to ensure that equity, education, and community connection were part of its foundation.
According to their website at linksinc.org, The Links, Incorporated is an international, not-for-profit organization of professional women of African descent committed to friendship and service. The organization focuses on enriching, sustaining, and ensuring the cultural and economic survival of people of African ancestry through impactful programming in five key areas: Services to Youth, The Arts, National Trends and Services, International Trends and Services, and Health and Human Services. The Tri-Cities chapter carries this mission forward at the local level, serving as a trusted and influential force for positive change throughout the Mid-Columbia region.
The Tri-Cities Chapter of The Links, Incorporated was founded in 1981 by 22 visionary charter members whose commitment to service and leadership laid the foundation for the chapter’s enduring impact. United by a shared vision, these women sought to create an organization dedicated to uplifting African American families, expanding opportunities for youth, and addressing critical needs in education, health, and civic engagement across the Tri-Cities region.
Programs and initiatives
In education and youth development, Tri-Cities Chapter of The Links, Incorporated provides mentoring, academic enrichment, and hands-on learning opportunities, such as STEAM-based programs, that help prepare students for future success. Health and human services initiatives focus on promoting overall wellness, including physical, mental, and financial health, often through community health fairs and outreach events. In the area of civic engagement, the chapter works to increase awareness of local issues, encourage informed participation in local government, and advocate for issues that impact underserved communities. Through its commitment to the arts, the chapter also supports cultural enrichment by exposing youth and families to artistic experiences that celebrate African American heritage and creativity.
Together, these initiatives reflect a holistic approach to service that addresses immediate community needs but also builds long-term opportunity, empowerment, and equity throughout the Tri-Cities.
The local chapter makes a significant and sustained investment in young people through programs that support academic achievement, leadership development, and overall wellbeing. Guided by the mission of The Links, Incorporated, the Tri-Cities chapter prioritizes youth through a combination of scholarships, mentorship, and enrichment opportunities designed to help students thrive.
The organization also provides scholarships to graduating seniors, helping to remove financial barriers and support access to higher education. And mentorship is a cornerstone of their work, with members offering guidance, encouragement, and exposure to career pathways that broaden students’ perspectives and aspirations. Through these efforts, the chapter is not only investing in individual success but also cultivating the next generation of leaders in the Tri-Cities community.
Additionally, The Tri-Cities Chapter of The Links, Incorporated does a lot of health and wellness outreach, which has supported families by increasing access to vital information and resources, empowering them to make informed decisions about their physical, mental, and financial wellbeing. Events like community health fairs and family-centered programs create safe, welcoming spaces where individuals can learn, connect, and access support.
While many of these impacts can be measured, such as scholarships awarded, the most powerful examples are often personal: a student gaining the confidence to apply to college, a family accessing critical health resources, or a young person discovering their passion and purpose through exposure and encouragement. Through its consistent presence and service, this chapter continues to create ripple effects of positive change across generations in the Tri-Cities community.
Cultural initiatives are another hallmark of the chapter’s work. From community celebrations to programs that uplift African American heritage and history, The Tri-Cities Chapter of The Links, Incorporated ensures that culture is recognized, preserved, and celebrated. One example is that the chapter used to bring the biennial Ebony Fashion Fair, created by Eunice and John H. Johnson of Ebony Magazine, to the Tri-Cities (1985 – 2009) as a fundraiser. It featured Black models and designers, and raised over $55 million nationwide for charity while promoting empowerment and racial pride, and helping redefine beauty standards. Money from this fundraiser and other annual galas have been used to fund some of the programs and scholarships mentioned in the previous section.
The Tri-Cities Chapter of The Links, Incorporated continues a legacy of Black women building institutions that strengthen communities by honoring the history, resilience, and leadership of those who came before while actively shaping the future of the region. The organization reflects the power of collective action to address societal challenges, create opportunities, and uplift communities.
Black women’s leadership remains significant because it combines a deep understanding of community needs with a commitment to advocacy, mentorship, and empowerment. Through the organization’s programs and initiatives, the Tri-Cities Chapter exemplifies the mission of The Links, Incorporated. Every program reflects a dedication to building strong institutions and resilient communities.
Community involvement
Our local chapter of The Links, Incorporated is doing the essential work of providing programs and services that address both immediate and long-term community needs. The organization’s leadership models accountability and collaboration; and they also focus on mentorship, nurturing the next generation of leaders. The chapter encourages young girls and future leaders to understand that they are capable of creating meaningful change and shaping the world around them.
Members of the community can learn more about the Tri-Cities Chapter of The Links, Incorporated and support its mission in several ways. Visit https://tricitieslinks.com, follow the Tri-Cities chapter on social media, attend public events like wellness fairs and cultural programs, and participate in volunteer opportunities that directly impact local youth and families.
Other businesses and organizations can collaborate by sponsoring programs, providing resources, or joining in joint initiatives that address education, health, civic engagement, and the arts. Donations, scholarships, and in-kind contributions are also ways that community partners can help sustain and expand the chapter’s work.
Contact TriCitiesLinksWA@gmail.com or visit https://tricitieslinks.com/contact-us to learn more about opportunities to help support the work of the Tri-Cities Chapter of The Links, Incorporated.
Anyla McDonald aspires to become a poet, short story writer, and essayist speaking about racism against Black people, current world problems, and hot topics. When she writes, she does it with purpose and passion. She feels destined to touch others with her words, and wants to be known as someone who takes a stand and impacts lives with her writing.
Anyla offers consulting services to Black student unions, student governments, school boards, superintendents, parents, and teachers facing social challenges within their institutions. She assists them in developing and implementing policies and activities aimed at preventing discrimination.
