The Links Inc. was founded in 1946, is one of the nation's oldest and largest volunteer service organizations. Last year, the organization partnered with Miles College and donated essential items and food supplies to the campus student food pantry. The check was presented by Vanessa Falls, Southern Regional Director. ( Photos courtesy of Crystal Pruitt)

Tampa will take center stage in 2027 as it welcomes one of the nation's premier gatherings of Black and brown professional women leaders. The Southern Area of The Links, Incorporated has selected the city to host its 49th Southern Area Conference from May 20–23.

Led by Southern Area Director Vanessa R. Falls, the multi-day conference is expected to bring thousands of women from across the southeastern United States and the Commonwealth of the Bahamas. Throughout the week, attendees will conduct the organization's business, participate in leadership programming and expand their longstanding commitment to community service, participating in service projects across the greater Tampa area

"Our organization has an incredible legacy of service," Falls said. "Beyond the economic impact of our presence in Tampa Bay, we are committed to uplifting communities, serving with intention, and driving meaningful change long after the conference ends."

Southern Area Director Vanessa R. Falls and members of The Links Inc.participating in The Sandwich Project in Atlanta. 

Established in 1946, The Links, Incorporated is an international nonprofit volunteer service organization dedicated to enriching, sustaining and ensuring the cultural and economic vitality of African Americans and other persons of African ancestry. 

Operating under the Southern Area mission, "Friends Transforming Communities Through Service as We Lead with Intentional Friendship and Service," the conference will carry the theme "Southern Grace by the Bay: Leadership, Legacy, and Links." Programming throughout the week will focus on the organization's five signature facets: National Trends and Services, International Trends and Services, The Arts, Services to Youth, and Health and Human Services.

City officials say the conference is poised to be both an economic driver for the Tampa Bay community.

"We are thrilled to welcome the 49th Area Conference of The Links, Incorporated to Tampa Bay," said Santiago C. Corrada, President and CEO of Visit Tampa Bay. "Hosting vibrant, premier conventions like this not only showcases our region's world-class hospitality, rich cultural heritage and dynamic community, but also delivers a powerful boost to our local economy. With an estimated economic impact of nearly $2 million, conference attendees will directly support our local hotels, small businesses, restaurants and hospitality workers who help make Tampa Bay such an exceptional destination."

Since its founding, The Links has donated more than $27 million to charitable causes. Notable grantees include the Obama Presidential Center, the United Negro College Fund, the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Inc., the National Civil Rights Museum and the Smithsonian National Museum of African American Culture and History, and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. 

The organization has 84 chapters including one in Tampa with over 5,000 members. 

To learn more about The Links, go to linksinc.org.