2020 Leadership Development Summit - The Links, Incorporated - Elicia Pegues Spearman
“Linked in Friendship, Connected in Service”
The Links, Incorporated is an international, not-for-profit corporation, established in 1946. The membership consists of more than 16,000 professional women of African descent. It is one of the nation’s oldest and largest volunteer service organizations. The organization is made up of phenomenal women who are committed to enriching, sustaining, and ensuring the cultural and economic survival of African Americans.
Elicia Pegues Spearman, an innovative and positive change agent, was invited to be a member of The Links Incorporated, in 2007. She joined the Waterbury (CT) Chapter and served her local chapter as a member of the National Trends and Services Committee, Fundraising Chair, Financial Secretary, and more. Elicia was further appointed by two Eastern Area Directors to serve as a Chairman on their leadership teams — Chair, Eastern Area Rituals and Awards Committee and Chair, Eastern Area Leadership Development Committee.
We are in discussion with Elicia about one of the most memorable events hosted by The Links, Incorporated, The 2020 Leadership Development Summit. She shares details about the event, along with some interesting anecdotes.
“This was the first Leadership Development Summit under the administration of Eastern Area Director Shauna Tucker-Sims. It had to be held virtually which turned out even better as we didn’t have any venue space limitations. We had over 800 members registered for a dynamic and engaging training on a myriad of topics. We were lucky to have a range of fabulous speakers, from Carla Harris, former Easter Area Director to Congresswoman Ayanna Pressly.
“It’s funny because everyone is adjusting to the new normal of doing everything virtually, and naturally we faced some technical difficulties on the way. The membership feedback was exceptional, they felt that they learned so much that they could use in their chapters, as well as in their careers. It was also a pleasure for the audience to see multi-generational leaders facilitate and share their expertise. The event turned out to be fabulous and our members were clamoring for more so we had an additional webinar where I facilitated a discussion with Carla Harris on “Leadership Pearls of Wisdom”.
