1Future Driven- Next Generation of Leaders-Big dreams, bright minds, and future leaders in the making!Advancing Literacy, STEM and Civic Engagement Columbia (SC) Chapter of The Links THROUGH IMPACTFUL PROGRAMMINGSERVICE DRIVEN NOVEMBER EDITION

NWHAT'SISIDE Connect Five Your Vote, Your Victory, Your Power Agaist oter Suppression in SC Cultivating the Next Generation of Innovators: STEM Extravaganza UMBRELLA: “Little Libraries, BIG Dreams!” Opening Doors to Reading, Imagination, and Endless Possibilities. HBCU CLINIC: Undercover LINKS Service Driven05 11 06 14 16 1803 Aspirational Alumna Members

Congratulations on the Alumna Green Envelope Award. We appreciate your continued support of our impactful programming. Your smile, friendship, and presence at the ribbon-cutting for The Little Libraries inspire each of us to do more, serve more, and stay engaged.ear Beryl, 3 Link Sharon, President Columbia (SC) ChapterAspirational Alumna

Congratulations on receiving the Alumna Green Envelope Award. We sincerely appreciate your continued support of our impactful programming. Your smile, friendship, and partnership during Your Vote, Your Victory, Your Power Against Voter Suppression inspire us to do more, serve more, and remain engaged.ear Lorin, 4 Link Sharon, President Columbia (SC) ChapterAspirational Alumna

DRIVEN BY SERVICESERVICES TO YOUTH Little LibrariesServices to Youth STEM ExtranvaanaNational Trends & Services Voter SuppressionMembership EngagementSERVICES TO YOUTH HBCU Clinic965membersmembersmembers5 SCHOLAR CONNECTION Expand Pathways Possibilities Goal: Expand accesd to STEM education and career pathways for students from undrepresented communities SCHOLAR CONNECTION Turning Pages, Building Future Goal: Increase early childhood literacy SCHOLAR CONNECTION Beyond the Yard Goal: Increase Support HBCUs to imorove retention, graduation rates and career readiness SCHOLAR CONNECTION Democracy in Action Goal: Increase Civic Engagement through voter engagement, voter registration and Get Out to Vote programs CONNECT FIVE LEADS: LINKS LATANZA & MARY CONNECT FIVE LEADS: LINKS LATANZA & MARY CONNECT FIVE LEADS: LINKS LATANZA & MARY CONNECT FIVE LEADS: LINKS LBREON & EBONY6members

Cultivating the Next Generation of Innovators: Columbia (SC) Chapter Shines at the 2026 STEM ExtravaganzaService Driven 6

Connect FiveSmart Goal 1 At least 80% of participating students will demonstrate increased STEM knowledge, problem-solving, creativity, and critical- thinking skills by completing a STEM challenge, designing a solution, or explaining a STEM concept learned during the hands-on event as measured through observational data. Program Goal: Expand accesd to STEM education and career pathways for students from undrepresented communities [N] Focus Area: Establish partnership with local student focused organizations Focus Area 2: Cultivating a Love of Reading Through read-alouds, chapter book studies, and interactive literacy activities, we aim to help children see themselves in stories and to see reading as joyful, empowering, and essential. We encourage chapters to donate class and home sets of culturally affirming books to schools, classrooms, and families. [SA] FUELING GROWTH THROUGH STEM 7 Scholar Connection- Expand Pathways Possibilities 2 By the end of the program year, we will establish partnership with After School Alliance, a local student-focused organization, to expand access to engaging, hands-on STEM learning experiences for elementary school students. Through collaborative planning and implementation, we will support STEM enrichment activities that promote students’ curiosity, creativity, critical thinking, problem-solving, and interest in STEM-related careers. Success will be measured by the partnerships established, activities implemented, and students served.

COLUMBIA (SC)COLUMBIA (SC)COLUMBIA (SC) CHAPTER SHINES ATCHAPTER SHINES ATCHAPTER SHINES AT THE 2026 STEMTHE 2026 STEMTHE 2026 STEM EXTRAVAGANZAEXTRAVAGANZAEXTRAVAGANZA COLUMBIA (SC) CHAPTER SHINES AT THE 2026 STEM EXTRAVAGANZASponsors:Approaching Our Destination- Full SPEED Ahead 5 of 53 members attended Services to Youth | SERVICE DRIVENMedia Coverage:On October 8, 2026, Segra Park became a vibrant hub of innovation, discovery, and opportunity. The Columbia (SC) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated proudly sponsored the 2026 STEM Extravaganza, an impactful event that brought together students, educators, businesses, and community partners to celebrate the life-changing power of hands-on learning. Carolina TV: https://carolinatv.org/1096/features/stem-extravaganza-brings-more-than-1000-south-carolina- students-to-columbia/ WIS TV: https://www.wistv.com/video/2026/10/08/live-stem-extravaganza-happening-segra-park/ City of Columbia: https://www.instagram.com/reels/DeP0A8OpgUn/ Behind the Scenes: https://www.instagram.com/p/DePZzG_DLUm/? utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&obrf=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==&srtk=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== STEM Video- https://pixies.et/Jq7Jkx7wColumbia Chapter of the Links, Incorporated, Taste of the South, Theta Tau Engineering Fraternity at the University of South Carolina, Richland County Government, Charles S. Mott Foundation, STEM NextPartnerships:SC Afterschool Alliance, Richland School District One, Columbia Chapter of the Links, Inc., Boys & Girls Clubs of the Crescent Region, The Original Six Foundation, Rolls-Royce, Million Girls Mentors, Lexington Richland Five School District, Orangeburg County School District, Riley Institute at Furman University 800 students in attended Chapter sponsored partnership

Paving the Way for thePaving the Way for thePaving the Way for the FUTURE InnovatorsFUTURE InnovatorsFUTURE Innovators Paving the Way for the FUTURE Innovators 2026 STEM ExtravaganzaFrom robotics and complex engineering challenges to dynamic technology demonstrations and hands-on science experiments, students explored the endless possibilities of science, technology, engineering, and math. More importantly, they discovered how these fundamental skills connect directly to their future careers. "The Extravaganza connects students with organizations, educators and industry professionals who can help turn curiosity into confidence and introduce young people tofuture educational and career pathways," said Zelda Waymer. "Our sponsors and community partners are making those opportunities possible at no cost to the students and families we serve." 9Close to 800 students from afterschool programs across South Carolina filled the ballpark concourse, which featured a record-breaking 56 STEM exhibitors and more than 100 dedicated volunteers. For many of these young people, afterschool initiatives provide critical access to STEM subjects and career pathways that might otherwise remain out of reach. By sponsoring this entirely free event, the Columbia Chapter helped directly close the opportunity gap—delivering high-quality, interactive learning experiences to students from diverse communities across the state. Students traveled from Allendale, Aiken, Bamberg, Barnwell, Florence, Greenwood, Kershaw, Lee, Lexington, Marion, Orangeburg, Richland, Saluda and Williamsburg Counties. From Curiosity to Confidence

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Connect FiveSmart Goals 1 N A T I O N A L T R R E M N D S A N D S E R V I C E S | S E R V I C E D R I V E N By November 2026, the Columbia (SC) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated, will increase voter education, awareness, and civic engagement in our community by implementing educational outreach initiatives that inform residents about voter registration, voting rights, and voter suppression, in South Carolina. Through community partnerships, informational sessions, and voter education activities, the chapter will engage at least 100 community members, equipping them with the knowledge and resources necessary to become informed and active participants in the democratic process. Program Goal: Increase Civic Engagement through voter engagement, voter registration and Get Out to Vote programs [N] FUELING GROWTH THROUGH CIVIC ENGAGEMENT 12 Scholar Connection: Democracy in Action

Mr. Felder received his Juris Doctor from Howard University School of Law. In 1973, he was appointed as the first African American Assistant Solicitor in South Carolina. Moving closer to the present, the National Action Network was founded in 1991 by Reverend Al Sharpton to advance a modern civil rights agenda, including the fight for one standard of justice, decency, and equal opportunity for all people. Tiffany James currently serves as president of the National Action Network of Columbia. Although Ms. James calls Columbia home, she works internationally on a variety of policy issues. She provided communications support to the International Black Women's Public Policy Institute, and both of us are graduates of the institute's Dorothy I. Height Global Leadership Academy. She is also a founder of the World Health Network, which works to inspire collective action through science for a safer, healthier world. And to bring us into recent history and round out our panel, in 2023 the South Carolina Democratic Party elected Christale Spain as chair of the state party. Ms. Spain is the first Black woman to hold a state-level chair position for either of South Carolina’s major political parties. Long before becoming chair, Ms. Spain worked on campaigns, including in strategic roles for several presidential and statewide candidates. She has worked nationally as Senior Advisor for Black Engagement at the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee and here at home alongside Congressman James Clyburn in his legislative office. Ms. Spain was also instrumental in bringing Emerge, the organization where I currently serve as Training Director, to South Carolina, recognizing the need to invest in women candidates. Meet the Voices Championing Justice On Tuesday, October 27, National Trends and Services partnered with Palmer Memorial Chapel and the NAACP to host a powerful discussion on voter suppression. Link Melissa moderated our distinguished panel, which featured the Honorable James Felder, Ms. Tiffany James, and Christale Spain.Your Vote, Your Victory, Your Power Against Voter Suppression in South Carolina 13

SERVICE DRIVENThe Democratic Party made history earlier this year when it recruited candidates to run for the state house in all 124 positions. THE NUMBERS BEHIND OUR VOICE 14 Statewide registration has declined by nearly 300,000 voters since 2022, including more than 100,000 nonwhite voters. Although SC Votes did not report nonwhite voter data in 2022, other data indicates that most of these voters are Black. In 2022, the last midterm election, only 45.9% of registered voters voted in the general election, and about 15% voted in the June primary. In 2024, the difference was only about 7%.

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ANALYTICS: Your Vote, Your Victory, Your Power Against Voter Suppression in South Carolina 469 VIEWS 258 VIEWERS The number of Meta Accounts that have viewed your content at least once. Content includes reels, posts, stories, live videos and ads. .WATCH TIME The total amount of time your reels were played, including any time spent replaying them. (Facebook watch time matters because it shows whether people are actually paying attention to your videos, how engaging your content is, and whether your videos hold viewers' interest.)01.02.04.03.05. 256 3-SECOND VIEWS The number of times your videos or reels were played for at least 3 seconds, or for nearly their total length if they're shorter than 3 seconds. During a single instance of a video or reel playing, we'll exclude any time spent replaying it. The number of times content was played or displayed.Streaming PART I- 7,967,776 PART 2- 8,813,691 11 LINK MEMBERS ATTENDED 11 PARTICIPANTS IN ATTENDANCE Streaming Data provided by Alexis Mitchell

By the Numbers: Reaching VotersMailers Targeted two Richland County precincts, Ward 8 (Benedict) and Beatty Road, and engaged voters at the Voting Rights Forum.Partnerships: NAACP and Palmer Memorial ChapelText BankingEngage targeted voters through text banking on October 28 and November 3.Social Media EngagementChapter Members Voted 17 848Target Voters__%TBD

Connect FiveSmart Goals 1 S E R V I C E S T O Y O U T H | S E R V I C E D R I V E N 2 By the end of the school year, the chapter will provide at least 750 age-appropriate, high- interest books to students in grades 2–5, ensuring that participating students have access to books they can take home and enjoy. Progress will be measured by tracking the number of books distributed, students served, and participating schools or classrooms. The Scholar Connection: Turning Pages, Building Futures (N) I Read, You Read, We Read (SA) Program Goal: Increase Early Childhood Literacy [N] Focus Area 1: Lower & Upper Elementary Students (Grades Pre-K– 5th) [SA] Chapters are asked to direct intentional programming to all elementary school scholars to expand the impact of this critical need for literacy support Focus Area 2: Cultivating a Love of Reading Through read-alouds, chapter book studies, and interactive literacy activities, we aim to help children see themselves in stories and to see reading as joyful, empowering, and essential. We encourage chapters to donate class and home sets of culturally affirming books to schools, classrooms, and families. [SA] FUELING GROWTH THROUGH LITERACY 18 By the end of the school year, provide engaging read-aloud sessions to at least 300 students in grades K–5 in Richland School District (Cary Lyon and Burton-Pack Elementary Schools, with participating student receiving opportunities to hear age- appropriate, diverse literature read aloud. The Chapter will track the number of students served, read-aloud sessions conducted, and books shared to measure participation and engagement.

OPENING DOORS, ONE BOOK AT A TIMEBurton-Park ScholarsCollaboration is so important. Through this partnership, the school has received 400 books. Each of you has the opportunity to choose a book, follow your interests, and chase your dreams.Three new Little Libraries, in partnership with the City of Columbia, the University of South Carolina's Cocky's Reading Express, and the Columbia Chapter of The Links, Incorporated, were presented to students on Wednesday, October 28. After the ceremony and ribbon-cutting, students from the University of South Carolina and Cocky, its mascot, led an interactive, engaging read-aloud for more than 250 students in grades 2, 3, and 5.Daniel J. RickenmannMayor of Columbia 19 Click to view Principal’s Testimony Mayor Rickenmann speaks to Burton-Park Scholars

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Partnerships:400 books distributed City of Columbia, the University of South Carolina's Cocky's Reading Express and Burton-Pack Elementary School. Services to Youth expanded access to reading materials by providing 400 books and three Little Libraries for students in grades 2, 3, and 5. We will track progress by the number of books provided. We will measure success by library visits, books checked out, the percentage of students using the Little Libraries, and students' interest in reading.Approaching Our Destination- Full SPEED Ahead 8 of 53 members engaged and (1) Alumna October 28, 2026 Read Aloud to 200 students Services to Youth | SERVICE DRIVEN 25 LibrariesLibrariesLibrariesLITTLELITTLEMedia: Columbia Mayor Speaks to Kids as Burton-Pack Unveils Three Little Libraries Burton-Pack Opens Three New Libraries (WIS TVChanel 10 News) Richland One School District

Connect FiveSmart Goals 1 S E R V I C E S T O Y O U T H | S E R V I C E D R I V E N By the end of the semester, students will attend a workshop on creating a professional LinkedIn profile that highlights their education, skills, work experience, extracurricular activities, and career interests. Students will upload a professional profile photo, write an engaging headline and summary, and add at least five relevant skills. The Scholar Connection: Expand pathways [N] Program Goal: Support HBCU Students through scholarships, career readiness programs, and alumni engagement Focus Area Career Readiness programsFUELING GROWTH THROUGH HBCU 26

Partnerships:25 HBCU participants Benecict College Services to Youth hosted a LINKIN virtual workshop on October 29, led by guest presenter Alexis M. Mitchell, a two-time Emmy® Award-winning journalist turned social media strategist and advocate. Alexis spent a decade at WBTV, Charlotte’s CBS affiliate, and also made her mark at WTVI (PBS) and on the airwaves of WPEG Power 98 and 97.1 WQMG.Approaching Our Destination- Full SPEED Ahead 7 of 53 members engaged October 29, 2026 Services to Youth | SERVICE DRIVEN 27afroTechReadinessCareer

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0 500 1,000 1,500 2,000 Books Distributed Read Alouds Partnerships Marketing Links Attendance Community Outreach 920 641 30 9 73 1,77731dometer Update November Connect Five

NOVEMBERNOVEMBER 7 1419 Connect Five Calendar 32 CHAPTER MEETING *Bring Winter Items, Gift Cards NOVEMBER UMBRELLA- Linking Our Community ART CONTEST BEST In ShowNOVEMBER23 INTERNATIONAL TRENDS & SERVICES In keeping with tradition, the ITS Facet will provide support to the Refugee Family from Burundi by providing a Thanksgiving Dinner for the family engaging them in our American cultural tradition.

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