‘Young, Fly and Flashy’ event raises funds for Hercules High School
Full Story >>

Not Easily Broken
Personal Pick by Sandra Varner >>

Notorious chronicles life of iconic
rapper Christopher Wallace
Full Story >>

Big Cat Tolefree celebrates three years of covering talented signed and unsigned Bay Area entertainers
Full Story >>

From the Globe Community Desk

The Oakland Bay Area Chapter of The Links Incorporated — an international volunteer, service and philanthropic organization dedicated to community outreach — hosted its annual cotillion on Dec. 20 at the San Francisco Marriott. This is the 53rd year that the group has recognized high school seniors for academic, community service and leadership achievements.

    Over 300 attendees honored six debutantes, their six escorts and their families for the positive work they have accomplished in school and the community.
    Father Jay Matthews of St. Benedict’s Catholic Church in Oakland served as master of ceremonies, and special guests included recipients of The Links’ grant awards.
    The annual cotillion is the organization’s primary fundraiser, and all proceeds support local communities. Groups that received charitable donations at the cotillion this year included Beyond Emancipation, Cinnamon Girl, Heads Up, Junior Center of Art and Science and Youth Tennis Advantage.
    In addition, the group has adopted Lafayette Elementary School in Oakland, which it supports through academic and cultural enrichment programs. It also provides $5,000 scholarships to local high school seniors as a part of its Celebration of Excellence program.
    The Links — the national organization — 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.oaklandbayarealinks.org.