Lalla V. Morris
Chapter President
Welcome,
I am honored to serve as your President of the Missouri City (TX) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated. Our chapter was officially chartered on May 12, 1979, when Delores Tarver Smith and 26 charter members installed Missouri City as part of this national philanthropic organization. Since that time, our chapter—comprised of 79 dedicated professional women—has been one of 299 chapters located in 41 states, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of the Bahamas, and the United Kingdom. As part of an organization of more than 17,000 professional women of African descent, we stand on a legacy established in 1946: enriching, sustaining, and ensuring the cultural and economic vitality of our communities.
Over the past several years, our chapter has continued that proud tradition through a breadth of programs across the Houston area. Collectively, our members have contributed thousands of volunteer hours to initiatives that span health and wellness, youth development, arts and culture, civic engagement, and economic empowerment. Though we could not list every event or partnership, I am pleased to note that our efforts have included expanding scholarship opportunities for local high school seniors; providing health screenings and educational workshops to underserved families; and collaborating with schools, community organizations, and municipal partners to foster academic growth, build leadership skills, and promote cultural awareness among young people. We have also supported small-business development and financial literacy programs that uplift women entrepreneurs and strengthen our local economy. Through personal contributions, chapter fundraisers, and strategic alliances, we have awarded scholarships to deserving students, recognized emerging community leaders, and received local accolades that reflect the impact of our work.
A cornerstone of our chapter’s outreach has been our partnership with The Choice Foundation, Inc. Over the past decade, The Choice Foundation has raised over a half-million dollars to support educational and community programs throughout the Houston area. Together, we have leveraged our combined resources to encourage student interest in STEM, provide resources and programming for the elderly, and collaborate with educators on arts-education initiatives that inspire creativity among youth. We have also highlighted the needs and contributions of our Houston-area international refugees, promoted healthy behaviors to reduce chronic-disease risks, and brought hands-on STEM opportunities to students at Attucks Middle School and the Cuney Homes housing development through the Kids Xplore program. This partnership exemplifies how two mission-aligned organizations can work hand-in-hand to create sustainable, positive change in our community.
In the coming year, we will focus on deepening these efforts and exploring new avenues to serve. You can expect to see expanded health outreach campaigns, increased mentorship and college-readiness activities for youth, enhanced arts programming that highlights our heritage, and additional workshops aimed at economic empowerment for women in our community. Our goal is to leverage the expertise, passion, and resources of our members to create sustainable, measurable change—while staying true to the core goals of The Links: cultural enrichment, educational development, health and wellness, civic engagement, and economic empowerment.
Thank you for visiting our website, and thank you for supporting the Missouri City Chapter of The Links, Incorporated. I look forward to serving with you in the year ahead as we continue to make a positive, lasting impact in Missouri City and beyond.
Warm regards,
Lalla V. Morris
President, Missouri City Chapter
The Links, Incorporated