About the Legislative Summit

Join us as we gather virtually for our 5th annual Legislative Summit on Wednesday, September 15, 2021 at 11:30 a.m. EDT.
 
 
Anchored on the theme Transforming Communities Through Our VOICE. Our VOTE. Our POWER. this year’s Legislative Summit will be an afternoon of retrospective and forward-looking dialogue. A cadre of today’s most influential and powerful policymakers and change agents are coming together to engage in a suite of thought-provoking and informative panels, including:
  • Links in Congress— Since the Election. Members of The Links, Incorporated serving in the U.S. House of Representatives will examine the state of Black America since the 2020 presidential election. From voting rights, to economic recovery and stability, policing, and criminal justice reform, this dynamic panel will address systemic issues affecting our communities.
  • Sisters United4Reform— How it Started ~ How it’s Going. Leaders from the 13 African American women’s organizations comprising Sisters United4Reform will reflect on the impetus for the call to action the alliance delivered in 2020 in response to the racial and social reckoning ignited in the United States. Our esteemed panelists will discuss the progress the country has made and the work that still needs to be done.
  • The Women Behind the CROWN: Forces behind the CROWN Act will share about the journey from getting the anti-hair discrimination act first passed in California, to its passage in 13 other states, its status as a federal bill introduced in both chambers of the U.S. Congress, and its cultural and personal impact on Black lives.

The 2021 presentation of The Links, Incorporated Trailblazer Award to Opal Lee, the “Grandmother of Juneteenth,” a Presidential Commendation to the Honorable William J. Walker, sergeant at arms, United States House of Representatives, and a Presidential Citation to Kim. E. Campbell, deputy sergeant at arms, United States House of Representatives. An inspiring call to action to push our advocacy agenda forward will help round out the day’s programming.

The Legislative Summit, a signature event hosted by The Links Foundation, Incorporated, is designed to elevate the national conversation on critical issues impacting the progress of Black communities. Please join us as we demonstrate the strength of Our VOICE. Our VOTE. Our POWER!

Participants

Kimberly Jeffries Leonard, Ph.D.

National President
The Links, Incorporated and
The Links Foundation, Incorporated

Ethel Isaacs Williams, J.D.

National Vice President
The Links, Incorporated and
The Links Foundation, Incorporated

Kamilia Landrum

National Legislative Affairs and Public Issues Committee
The Links, Incorporated

Abina Billups

National Legislative Affairs and Public Issues Committee
The Links, Incorporated

Kamala D. Harris

Vice President of the United States of America

Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson

D-TX, 30th District

Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee

D-TX 18th District

Congresswoman Val Demings

D-FL 10th District

Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley

D-MA 7th District

Jo Ann Jenkins

CEO
AARP

Dr. Glenda Glover

International President
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.

Beverly Evans Smith

National President and CEO
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

Rasheeda Liberty

International Grand Basileus
Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc.

Dr. Virginia Harris

President
National Council of 100 Black Women

Gwainevere Catchings Hess

President
Black Women’s Agenda, Inc.

Susan L. Taylor

Founder and CEO
National CARES Mentoring Movement

Melanie L. Campbell

President and CEO
Black Women’s Roundtable

Adjoa Asamoah

Founder
ABA Consulting

Esi Eggleston Bracey

CEO, EVP Beauty & Personal Care
Unilever North America

Kelli Richardson Lawson

Founder and CEO
JOY Collective

Opal Lee

“Grandmother of Juneteenth”
Social Impact Leader

The Honorable William J. Walker

Sergeant at Arms
United States House of Representatives

Kim E. Campbell

Deputy Sergeant at Arms
United States House of Representatives

2020-2022 Advocacy Agenda

Operating Principle

Diversity and Inclusion

The Links, Incorporated’s legislative and public affairs priorities are considered through a lens of diversity, equity, and inclusion. The Links, Incorporated is uniquely positioned to leverage the collective strength, resources, and energy of our members to ensure that public policy being considered is reflective of our membership and the global community we serve.

Advocacy Priorities

While we continue to monitor and advocate on numerous public policy issues, The Links, Incorporated has identified four priorities for the biennium. Our efforts in these areas do not imply that other areas are excluded from our engagement.

  • Health
    • Public Health | COVID-19

      • Research, Access & Distribution of Vaccines
      • Education | Impact on our Communities (virtual learning, schools, etc.)
      • Community | Individual Safety Protocols
    • Affordable Health Care (protect pre-existing conditions)
    • Environmental Justice (clean air, water, housing)

    • Reducing Health Disparities | Equity
    • Mental and Behavioral Health
  • Economic Sustainability
    • Recovery (jobs and business ownership)
    • Racial and Gender Economic Equity
  • Civil and Voting Rights
    • Maintain voter protections and expand access to the polls
    • Increasing voter participation and engagement
    • Advocate for fair representation (redistricting)
    • Sentencing reform
    • Civil protections under the law
  • Criminal Justice and Public Safety
    • Law Enforcement Reform
    • Reduce Gun Violence
    • Bail
    • Police Review and Policing

2020 – 2022 Partners

  • Congressional Black Caucus (CBC)
  • White House – Office of Public Engagement
  • When We All Vote (WWAV)
  • National Medical Association (NMA)
  • National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP)
  • National Bar Association (NBA)