Serving the San Francisco Community Since 1950
PRESIDENT'S WELCOME
Serving our Community Through Friendship and Service
Kimberly Brandon
President
Welcome to our website on behalf of the San Francisco (CA) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated members. We are honored and pleased to have you as a visitor. We look forward to your experience with us to learn more about our national organization, The Links, Incorporated, and our local San Francisco (CA) Chapter of The Links.
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The San Francisco (CA) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated, is one of 299 Chapters in the United States, the United Kingdom, and the Bahamas, totaling more than 17,000 members. The Links Incorporated, established in 1946, is an international nonprofit organization with committed members enriching, sustaining, and ensuring the culture and economic security of African Americans and other people of African ancestry. San Francisco Links are dedicated to serving our community by engaging and assisting children, families, and individuals with programs and activities to facilitate engagement and experiences in the arts, health and human services, civic responsibilities, global awareness, and enhanced academic support.
As you review our website, please look for our upcoming events, our recognitions and awards for excellence in outstanding community programs in the arts, healthcare, education and literacy, voting information and registration, and supporting the academic experience of young women in Liberia, Africa.
We are honored to share our rich history, with over 70 years of service to our San Francisco community, and our current events based on our friendships demonstrating our shared interest and engagement with community service.
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The legacy of the San Francisco (CA) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated is rich. We are proud of our history and current impact and influence in our service to the community.
Warm regards,
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Kimberly Brandon
President
OUR HISTORY
OUR HISTORY
The San Francisco (CA) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated was chartered September 23, 1950. The place of the chartering, held jointly with the Oakland Bay Area Chapter, was the Room of the Dons, at the Mark Hopkins Hotel on historic Nob Hill in San Francisco. Hortense Thomas was the organizer and the first chapter president. The other charter members were Alice Butler, Lolita Coleman, Willa Evans, Amelia Farmer, Jackieline Goosby, Vivian Hambrick, Inez Henderson, Lillian Nixon, Mabel Sanford, Jacqueline Smith, Julia Smith, Mildred Stephens, Mary Stewart, Thelma Toms and Maude White.
OUR PROGRAMS
The San Francisco (CA) Links are committed to improving the lives of African-Americans, members of the African Diaspora and the underserved in the San Francisco Community, with an emphasis on its youth, through dynamic and transforming cultural, civic, educational and health-related community programs.
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Since our founding in 1950, we have volunteered tens of thousands of service hours to the San Francisco community and donated thousands of dollars to support health and wellness activities, the arts, youth achievement and international awareness programs throughout the city. We have also devoted considerable hours and funds to support needs in the African Diaspora.
OUR PARTNERSHIPS
National Black K.A.R.E. Initiative
The San Francisco Chapter of the Links is one of 61 chapters selected to participate in the fifth year of The Links, National Black K.A.R.E. Initiative. The #BlackKARE – Kidney Awareness Education Resources, is a partnership between the The Links, Incorporated national organization and Vantive U.S. Healthcare to bring awareness and advocacy to Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD). Our chapter collaborates with community stakeholders including UCSF School of Medicine, UC Berkeley KDSAP, George W. Davis Community Center, Southeast Community Center, Norcal MLK Foundation, WISE Health, and U3FIT to educate community members about CKD and do kidney health screenings.
DID YOU KNOW?
Approximately 37 million American Adults have chronic kidney disease (CKD) and most don’t even know it. DO YOU?
Black Americans are almost four times as likely as White Americans to develop kidney failure.
While Black Americans make up about approximately 13 percent of the population, they account for approximately 35 percent of the people with kidney failure in the United States.
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KNOW YOUR NUMBERS - Check your blood pressure, blood sugar, and protect your kidneys.
Kidney disease, diabetes and high blood pressure are linked. Uncontrolled diabetes and high blood pressure are real risk factors for CKD. People who have uncontrolled diabetes and high blood pressure are more likely to develop CKD than people without these conditions.
HOW YOUR KIDNEYS WORK
Your kidneys filter blood and make urine. Urine contains excess fluid and waste. Filtering your blood helps keep excess fluid and waste from building up in your body. When your kidneys slow down or stop working, your body can’t remove excess fluids and waste. Over time, toxins build up, make you feel sick, and increases your risk for CKD. ​
FOR MORE INFORMATION
During November 2023 Friendship Month, the Western Area of the Links, Incorporated developed a video celebrating 73 years of friendship. The first three chapters chartered in the Western Area include our very own San Francisco (CA) chapter and this video includes remarks from our president Kimberly Brandon.
