From the Globe Oakland Desk

The Oakland Bay Area Chapter of The Links Incorporated — an international volunteer, service and philanthropic organization dedicated to community outreach — hosted its 52nd annual cotillion on Saturday at the San Francisco Marriott.

   The event featured high school seniors who have excelled in academics, community service and leadership. The evening honored 28 debutants, their escorts and their families for the work they accomplished in school and the community.
    Joseph Marshall, president and co-founder of the Omega Boys Club, served as the emcee.
    The annual cotillion is the organization’s primary fundraiser, and all proceeds will support local groups, including The East Bay Community Foundation for Hurler’s Research, CAL-SAFE Program, Oakland Public Conservatory of Music, Youth Justice Institute/Library Services to Incarcerated Youth, Easy Bay Community Law Center and Today’s Youth Matter.
    In addition, the Oakland Bay Area Links adopted Lafayette Elementary School in Oakland, providing support through academic and cultural enrichment programs.
   The group also provides book grants to local high school seniors as a part of its Celebration of Excellence program.
    The Links Incorporated was founded in 1946 in Philadelphia with a mission to improve the quality of life for African American youth. The organization has since grown to a following of 12,000 women of color in 273 chapters located in 42 states, Germany, South Africa and the Bahamas.
    For more information about the Oakland Bay Area Links, contact President Marsha Peterson at marsha.peterson@yahoo.com or visit www.linksinc.org.

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