Brunch bunch

Links Inc. members make merriment at annual holiday fundraiser

Little Rock kicks off Christmas season in style each first Saturday in December with such events as the Jingle Bell Run, the Big Jingle Jubilee Holiday Parade, the state Capitol building lighting ceremony and fireworks. But it’s just not the first Saturday in December without The Little Rock Chapter of The Links Inc.’s Holiday Jazz Brunch.

The 2018 incarnation of this brunch — a fundraiser for the chapter’s programs and scholarships — took place Dec. 1 in the grand ballroom of the Little Rock Marriott. Among the special guests were Bakari Sellers, CNN political analyst and former South Carolina state legislator; alumna and platinum members of the Little Rock Links; and representatives from other Links chapters from within and outside of Arkansas. Putting the “jazz” in the jazz brunch was the G-Music Band.

Dr. Gloria Richard-Davis and Donna Terrell co-chaired the event. Guests were greeted by red-attired Links members and had the chance to bid on a number of silent auction items before sitting down to the midday meal.

Vickie Newton was master of ceremonies for the program, which began with a video chronicling the history and multifaceted service work of the 62-year-old Links chapter. That work includes the awarding of more than $80,000 in scholarships in the last four years and, for the past nine years, contributions of up to $25,000 each year to the state’s predominately black colleges and universities. President Lana Nayles welcomed attendees, expounded on the chapter’s work, lauded former chapter president Gloria Love for her vision for the group and its work, and introduced each chapter member. Remarks also came from Glenda Masingale-Manson, Central Area director of The Links.

Past scholarship recipients shared words of gratitude, also via video. Live remarks came from 1995 recipient and Links member Beverly Chu Horton, who announced her intention to “pay it forward” via a $3,000 scholarship-fund contribution.

Guests, given the opportunity to donate via smartphone, exceeded the goal of $10,000 in text-to-give donations. In all, the brunch drew more than $100,000.

Yana-Janell Scott; Bakari Sellers, CNN political analyst and former South Carolina state legislator; and Little Rock Mayor-elect Frank Scott Jr.

Visiting Links Tenita Gragg (Pine Bluff Chapter) and Kathryn Moore, Ronetta Francis and Phyllis Harris (Northwest Arkansas Chapter)

Gloria Redman, Cathy Browne and Diana Smithson

Roger Swift, Janet Davis Tate, Carmelita Smith and Ted Woods

Arkie Byrd, Musheerah Tharpe and City Director Doris Wright

Lana Nayles (center), chapter president, with event co-chairmen Donna Terrell and Dr. Gloria Richard-Davis

Dr. Ronda Henry-Tillman and Lottie Shackelford

Jackie Stewart, Tracy King and Harriet Ford

Margaret Dedman and Brenda Gilbert

David Montague with his daughter, Riley Montague

Dr. Alonzo Williams with former scholarship recipient Beverly Chu Horton of Carmel, Ind.

Lillian and the Rev. Larry Ross