Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript

Publication Type: Individual Paper
Abstract: The history of The Links, Incorporated is a story that documents the strong traditions of education and philanthropy that have existed in the Black community for centuries; and it is a story that remains untold. Amid a period of tremendous racial conflict when American Negroes were still suffering under the oppressive boundaries of Jim Crow, two women began to mobilize their friends in service to their communities and founded a club called The Links in 1946. The Links, Incorporated has grown to include 10,000 women in 274 chapters around the United States, the Bahamas, Germany and South Africa. Their motto, �linking friends in service,� is their philosophical base.
Histories of African American women�s philanthropy are scarce in scholarly literature. This presentation provides a historical account of a Black women�s service organization. Members of The Links have included some of the most elite and notable female activists of our time including: Mrs. Coretta Scott King, Dr. Betty Shabazz, Mrs. Rosa Parks, and Dr. Johnetta Besch Cole.
Using historical research methods, I analyze archival and textual data along with transcripts from ten oral history interviews that I have conducted for the purpose of recording the philanthropic work of this organization. This study asks the following questions: What are the historic contributions of The Links? What is the history of Black philanthropy? How can philanthropy serve to bridge the gap between the social classes within the Black community? This study focuses on providing a history of The Links, Incorporated and their philanthropic works.

Publication Type: Poster
Abstract: This poster session summarizes the genesis, development, and validation of a measure of attitudes towards diversity, including students with learning problems and those acquiring English as an additional language, among teacher education candidates. The poster displays results of a pilot study that establishes the psychometric properties of the instrument, emphasizing a link between candidate dispositions and professional behavior in the classroom.

Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Review Method: Peer Reviewed
Abstract: One important but often unattended issue in citizen participation efforts is whether public officials trust citizens, and, if not, whether they will formulate and implement policies that really engage, empower, and emancipate citizens. This study attempts to answer four questions: Is trust in citizens relevant and important? Is it a valid construct that can be differentiated from other similar constructs? What factors influence its level? And how does trust influence citizen involvement efforts? Based on 320 public administrators� survey responses, the study finds that public administrators� trust in citizens is a relevant and valid construct, and is a predictor to proactive citizen involvement efforts. Interestingly, public administrators generally have a neutral (neither trustful, nor distrustful) view of citizens. Finally, factors affecting the level of trust are identified at the individual, organizational, and societal levels.

Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Review Method: Peer Reviewed