JOIN
DONATE

New Haven Links Ring In Half A Century

Danielle Campbell | November 9th, 2022

New Haven Links Ring In Half A Century

Culture & Community  |  Downtown  |  Arts & Culture  |  Arts & Anti-racism  |  The Links, Inc.

Links50th1

Stilts performer Melissa Craig creating a grand display of beauty during the cocktail hour. Danielle Campbell Photos. 

A sea of deep blues, green, and golds swished and glistened beneath the bright light of the Omni’s downtown ballroom. In the hallway, Melissa Craig towered above attendees on stilts, her gold wings extended as she made her first appearance of the night. Music rose in the background. Somewhere, glasses of champagne clinked, and it sounded like laughter. 

It was a joyous start to a 50th anniversary fit for the history books.

The New Haven (CT) Chapter of the Links, Incorporated celebrated half a century Saturday night, with an hours-long gala and celebration in downtown New Haven. Over dinner, conversation, dancing and an awards ceremony, the organization honored Michael Jai White, a son of Bridgeport who is helming the vision for Jaigantic Studios in the city’s Fair Haven neighborhood, for his contribution to the arts and economic development in Connecticut. 

Attendees also took time to cheer on chapter charter members Patricia Downing and Jean Downing, who have been part of the organization for 52 and 50 years respectively. Patricia, who is a third generation Link, called both the event a chance to honor a commitment to service and fellowship that the organization fosters. Both she and Jean helped organize the New Haven chapter in 1972.  

Links50th12

Links50th5

Top: The Honorable Judge Dawn Westbrook, visiting Link from Farmington Valley, enjoying the photo area.. Bottom: Sheila Carmon is chair of services to youth and legislative committee, member of publicity and the voter registration czar for the chapter. She just celebrated a milestone of 20 years with the organization at the Gala. Danielle Campbell Photos. 

“We have helped scores of students through scholarships and other kinds of community based programs,” said alumna member Annette Streets, who has been with the Links organization for 26 years. “I'm just proud to be part of this.”

Founded in 1972—26 years after the national Links organization started—the New Haven Chapter has for decades centered both service and sisterhood in its work. Each year, it leads several service programs geared toward education, including partnerships with Saint Martin de Porres Academy, the New Haven Free Public Library, and John C. Daniels School. This year, it inducted 11 new members in May, continuing on that legacy of service. 

Currently, New Haven’s chapter boasts a combined 2,500 hours of community service and has distributed $350,000 worth of scholarships to 250 students. The event was part of that, noted chapter member Sheila Carmon: money from the gala’s ticket sales will go toward the Links’ scholarship fund for high school students who are preparing to apply to and attend college. That is especially true for those applying to Historically Black Colleges and Universities, or HBCUs. 

Links50th11

Links50th10

Top: Attendees enjoying the 360 video experience. Bottom: Alumna Link and past president, Margo Taylor, walking in after being called. She has been a Link since 1976. Danielle Campbell Photos. 

Saturday, the excitement was contagious from the moment attendees stepped off the staircase or elevator and onto the second floor. In the hallway, longtime friends and sisters exchanged cheery hugs, stepped back to study and praise each other’s gowns, and take in Craig’s stilt-walking abilities, for which all of them had high praise. They later posed for photos with a 360 video booth, a platform around which a mechanical arm moves with a camera to capture the full, 360-degree view of a given image. 

Members from both New Haven and across the state were excited to speak about what the event—and their membership in such a historic organization—meant to them. In the city, former Mayor Toni N. Harp has served as president for the past two years. Next year will mark her fourth decade as a chapter member.

“I've been a member of this organization for almost 17 years, and I love it,” said Waterbury chapter president Cheryl Hilton-Campbell.  “And one of the biggest draws for me is the community service that we do.”

Hilton-Campbell became president last year, and expanded the chapter’s reach to begin work on Black maternal health in Waterbury under her chapter. Saturday, she said she was excited to be in the company of fellow sisters, who hold dear many of the same vales. 

Links50th7

Links50th14

Top: Waterbury Chapter President, Cheryl Hilton-Campbell. Bottom: Patricia (in the blue) and Jean (in the black dress with pearls) Downing being honored. Danielle Campbell Photos. 

That was also true for former chapter President Cathy Graves, a longtime Links member who also serves as the deputy director of economic development for New Haven’s Economic Development Administration. Saturday, Graves described the 50 years of service and dedication the Links have given to New Haven, as well as a new partnership that would set a new precedent for the city and for the museum. 

With assistance from the Connecticut Freedom Trail, the New Haven Museum is currently in the process of establishing an archival collection that the group can be an active part of. With a focus on telling Black stories, the organization will be the first African American membership organization to establish a collection there. A video detailing the impact of the Links’ 50-year history followed the announcement. 

“We share our history with the community in hopes that other organizations will follow. It is important that our contribution, our service, our existence…be left to be researched, remembered and shared,” Graves said.

Links50th9

Links50th15

Top: Dr. Tamiko McArthur walking in after being introduced. She celebrated a milestone Saturday night making her a Link for 20 years. Bottom: Michael Jai White being honored by New Haven Link member Donna Lecky. Danielle Campbell Photos. 

The energy was still palpable when White took the mic, painting Jaigantic’s vision as economic and business development through the arts. For over a year, Jaigantic Studios leadership has outlined a multi-phase proposal for River Street, in which multiple movie studios could become a training ground for thousands of jobs and professional development. 

At the mic, White kept it humble, remembering his start in Bridgeport not that long ago. He shouted out his Connecticut roots, then turned adoringly to the members of his family. 

“I already feel like I’m abundantly awarded,” said White. “So, it’s like you’re giving an award to a guy who already hit the lotto. And you might think it’s because of my career, but that’s because I’m married to that woman right there—”

The crowd cheered in the direction of White’s wife, Gillian Iliana Waters, as he beamed over at her.

In addition to a three-course meal, attendees spent the night bidding on silent auction and raffle items. Prizes, for which the proceeds also went toward scholarships, included four box seats behind home plate at a Hartford Yard Goats game, stays at the Goodwin Hotel in Hartford and the Blake in New Haven, and an introductory flight lesson from Virgin airlines among others.

Links50th6

Links50th13

Top: The honorable Toni N. Harp, former mayor of New Haven and President of the New Haven (CT) Chapter of Links, Inc. Toni Harp.. Bottom: The Warren Daniels Band belting out tunes for the seated attendees during dinner. Danielle Campbell Photos. 

Music drifted through the ballroom courtesy of the Warren Daniels Band, who travel from New Jersey yearly to provide the soundtrack for this annual evening event. As they played, attendees headed toward the dance floor to keep the party going late into the night. 

Dr. Chaka Felder-McEntire, founder and executive director of Higher Heights Youth Empowerment Programs, Inc., was in attendance with her collaborative organization to celebrate and network with the minds in the room. 

She collaborated with the New Haven chapter on community programs supporting local students with going to college including a college readiness webinar for high school students. 

“Congratulations. Happy 50th and looking forward to doing more work,” she said.

Learn more about the New Haven (CT) chapter of the Links, Incorporated here