Investing in Excellence: Orange County (CA) Chapter Celebrates HBCU Scholars and Awards $5,000 in Scholarships

On June 20, 2026, the Orange County (CA) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated proudly celebrated one of the highlights of our program year—our annual HBCU Celebration and Scholarship Recognition Program. The afternoon was filled with inspiration, achievement, and hope as we recognized outstanding students pursuing higher education and honored those who have chosen the rich tradition and excellence of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).

Education has always been a cornerstone of The Links, Incorporated, and this year's celebration was a powerful reminder of the impact we can make when we invest in the dreams of young people. We were honored to award $5,000 in scholarships to deserving students, helping to ease the financial burden of higher education while encouraging them to continue striving for academic excellence and servant leadership.

The event also recognized our remarkable HBCU students, whose commitment to academic success and personal growth reflects the enduring legacy of America's Historically Black Colleges and Universities. These institutions have long been incubators of innovation, leadership, and cultural pride, and we are proud to celebrate the students who have chosen to continue that tradition. Their accomplishments remind us that the future is bright, and we eagerly anticipate the incredible contributions they will make to their campuses, their professions, and their communities.

This successful celebration would not have been possible without the dedication and vision of our outstanding leadership team. We extend our sincere appreciation to Lisa Nixon, Scholarship Committee Chair, for her steadfast leadership in guiding the scholarship process and ensuring that deserving students were recognized for their hard work and promise.

We also celebrate Hope Hampton-Crawford, HBCU Chair, whose passion for Historically Black Colleges and Universities continues to inspire students and families to explore the life-changing opportunities these institutions provide. Her unwavering commitment has helped cultivate a program that educates, encourages, and empowers the next generation of HBCU scholars.

Special recognition is also extended to Maxine Jackson, whose wisdom, guidance, and unwavering support have been instrumental in strengthening our HBCU initiatives. Her dedication to mentoring students and supporting educational excellence continues to make a lasting impact on our chapter and the young people we serve.

Finally, we applaud the entire HBCU Committee for their countless hours of planning, mentoring, organizing, and encouraging our students throughout the year. Their collaborative efforts created a meaningful celebration that reflected the very best of our chapter's commitment to educational excellence and service.

As we congratulate this year's scholarship recipients and celebrate our HBCU students, we do so with great anticipation for what lies ahead. We are confident that these remarkable young scholars will continue to excel, lead with integrity, and positively impact the world around them. The Orange County (CA) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated is honored to be part of their journey, and we look forward to celebrating their future accomplishments for years to come.

Congratulations to all of our scholarship recipients and HBCU scholars. Your Orange County (CA) Chapter family is cheering you on every step of the way.