Our Mission

The mission of the Greater Twin Cities (MN) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated is to do good and be change agents through friendship and service to the Greater Twin Cities.

Our Vision

Through friendship we will be a light by enriching communities, deepening relationships, and broadening possibilities for people of African descent in the Greater Twin Cities.

Our History

The Spark!

During the Fall of 2019, Dr. Kristin Morris of Genesis Consulting Services, LLC, D.E.L.O.R.E.S. Works, United Negro College Fund (UNCF), and The Minneapolis-St. Paul (MN) Chapter of The Links collaborated on a Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) event, where HBCU alumni, prospective and currently enrolled students of HBCUs were brought together to network. It was at this event that one of the Co-organizers, Dr. Kristin Morris witnessed the Links Incorporated in action at the local level and her interest in The Links was sparked.

During an HBCC college with Mercedes Henderson Clark, HBCU Chairperson, Minneapolis - St. Paul (MN) Chapter of The Links, Dr. Delores Henderson, Founder and Executive Director of D.E.L.O.R.E.S. WORKS and the 14th Central Area Director of The Links on February 25, 2020, Dr. Morris’ spark was ignited. She recognized the importance of serving a growing population of Black and African descent people moving outside of the cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul.

After that meeting, she took it upon herself to learn more about The Links’ national and international commitment to philanthropy and guiding philosophy of friendship through service to communities of Black and African descent from her mentor, Dr. Delores Henderson. Dr. Henderson encouraged Dr. Morris to do additional research on The Links and to follow-up with any questions she may have.

Ground Work: Building a Foundation

After researching The Links. Dr. Morris met with Dr. Henderson and Mrs. Henderson Clark on March 14, 2021 to discuss “ways to act in times such as these.” Dr. Morris shared her concerns about current events, her desire to strengthen personal relationships amongst Black women and deepen her level of service to the Twin Cities’ Black community and inquired about membership in The Links. In response to her interest in The Links, Dr Henderson and Mrs. Clark encouraged Dr. Morris to identify 40 women with a positive track record of service to the community and known for being passionate and committed to making a difference. After Dr. Morris completed the assignment, Dr. Henderson recommended she solicit the assistance of another one of her mentees, Rosemond Sarpong Owens to join her in applying to The Links to form an inquiry group.

Dr. Morris and Mrs. Owens convened an exemplary group of Black women together committed to improving their community through service to others. On April 23, 2021 Dr. Morris and Mrs. Owens extended an invitation of connection and service to the list of 40 exemplary Black women representing a variety of communities throughout the greater Twin Cities and a cross-sector of industries from education, corporate, philanthropy, professional services and media. This dynamic group of Black women came together virtually on May 19, 2021, to discuss the need to develop new friendships and discuss the alarming disparities faced by communities of the African Diaspora in the Twin Cities that were widened, broadly exposed during the COVID-19 Pandemic and after the murder of George Floyd. That meeting led to the formation of the Torches of the Twin Cities.

Over the next 12 months, the Torches of the Twin focused on developing friendships and making a significant impact in the Twin Cities through service to others. The Torches of the Twin Cities supported civic projects and expanded their impact by partnering with organizations like D.E.L.O.R.E.S. WORKS to close the achievement gap and provide STEAM educational experiences for students of color; volunteering with Every Meal, an organization combating hunger by filling the gaps in food access that school children face during weekends, summers, and extended breaks; and supporting the National Office of the Links initiative Heartlinks by participation in the “Walk Challenge for Heart Health. (add # of steps). When tragedy shocked the North Minneapolis Community High School, the Torches of the Twin Cities responded by collecting and distributing wellness and self-care bags for all faculty and staff members, as a loving reminder for them to remember to care for their mental and physical health while supporting students during their grief and trauma. In the spirit of fostering friendship, members of the Torches of the Twin Cities supported the arts by attending the 31st season of the Black Nativity at the Penumbra Theater, Minnesota’s only professional African-American theater and one of three African-American theaters in the nation to offer a full season of performances. The Torches of the Twin Cities also safely connected socially at virtual book launches for members, small brunch groups, birthday celebrations and professional events. Future: The Greater Twin Cities (MN) Chapter-Elect The Links granted chapter-elect status to the Torches of the Twin Cities on March 9, 2022 and after that date the Torches of the Twin Cities were known as Chapter-Elect Greater Twin Cities (MN) Chapter of The Links. On April 30, 2022, 32 phenomenal women became the Greater Twin Cities (MN) Chapter of The Links.