Equipping Black Girls to Become Changemakers

ABOUT LEADERSHIP LINKS

Leadership LINKS seeks to equip Black girls and young women to become changemakers by providing them with leadership training that facilitates impactful living, character and spiritual development. We aim to educate and equip leaders who are committed to using their skills and resources, not just for their own advancement, but also for the greater good of humanity.

Our Purpose

Who We Are

Leadership LINKS exists to educate and equip servant leaders who are committed to using their skills and resources for the greater good of humanity

Our Vision

Why We Exist

To connect people with Purpose

Our Mission

What We Do

Provide leadership education that facilitates impactful living, character and spiritual development

Our Core Values

What We Value

Love,

Inspiration,

Network,

Knowledge and

Service

Our five core values are integral to the type of leaders that we produce, and represents the strength of our organizational and communal ethos

Leadership LINKS stands for:

Love. Only love has the power to overcome without being corrupted.

Inspiration. Dreams that inspire lead to greater success. 

Network. Access and opportunity are essential to improvement.

Knowledge. Leaders are readers!

Service. We use our skills, talents, and resources for the good of others.

We affirm the basic tenants of the Christian faith as presented in the Nicene Creed (endorsed at the Council of Constantinople in AD 381):

I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible.

And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, begotten of the Father before all worlds, God of God, Light of Light, very God of very God; begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father, by whom all things were made; who for us men, and for our salvation, came down from heaven, and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the Virgin Mary, and was made man, and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate; He suffered and was buried; and the third day He rose again according to the Scriptures; and ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of the Father; and He shall come again with glory to judge the quick and the dead; whose kingdom shall have no end.

And I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord and Giver of life, who proceedeth from the Father and the Son; who with the Father and the Son together is worshiped and glorified; who spoke by the prophets. And I believe in one holy catholic (universal) and apostolic church. I acknowledge one Baptism for the remission of sins; and I look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen. 

Purchase the Nicene Creed Study
Register for the Virtual Learning Experience

Founding Board of Directors

  • Leadership LINKS was founded by 6 African American graduates of the U.S. Naval Academy (USNA), united by their passions for education, leadership, mentorship, faith, and public service. They desired to give back and invest in the next generation, knowing they could directly impact the pipeline of leaders of character and competence to address our world’s greatest needs. Check out our Founders Story in the Naval Academy’s Alumni Shipmate magazine.

  • Smiling woman with braided hair, wearing a dark blue blazer and a silver necklace with a cross.

    Dr. Natasha Sistrunk Robinson

    (U.S. Marine Corps service, USNA 2002)

  • Smiling man in a suit with a striped tie and a lapel pin against a plain background.

    Arthur J. Johnson, Jr.

    (U.S. Navy retired, USNA 1979)

  • Man in a dark suit and tie smiling in a portrait photo.

    Davede Alexander

    (U.S. Navy service, USNA 2001)

  • A person with curly hair and yellow hoop earrings, wearing a colorful patterned outfit, smiling outdoors.

    QuaWanna Bannarbie

    (U.S. Navy service, USNA 1999)

  • Smiling person in professional attire with a gray background.

    Tasya Lacy

    (U.S. Navy service, USNA 1997)

  • Person with shoulder-length hair and earrings smiling against a plain background.

    Tracey Nicole Hayes

    (U.S. Navy retired, USNA 1992)

2026-2027 Board of Directors

  • Man wearing a suit and striped tie smiling with a pin on his lapel.

    Arthur J. Johnson, Jr., RADM (USN Retired)

    Founding Director and Chairperson, Leadership LINKS, Inc.

    CEO, Destiny Aviation Services

    Rear Admiral Johnson's vision is to leverage his education, training, skills and experiences to holistically empower others for success and impactful, influential leadership in pursuit of their destinies. He is the founder of Destiny Aviation Services. He graduated from the Naval Academy in 1979. He earned his naval aviator Wings of Gold, commanded at all aviation levels, and logged more than 5000 hours flying military and general aviation. His postgraduate education includes a master’s degree in public administration from Harvard's Kennedy School of Government and a master's in National Strategic Studies from the National War College in Washington, DC. He is passionate about youth development and aviation workforce expansion.

    Director Location: Chesapeake, VA

    🌐 destinyaviationservices.com

  • Smiling man in a suit outdoors

    Davede Alexander

    Founding Director and Vice Chairperson, Leadership LINKS, Inc.

    Founder and Principal, Innovo Strategic Solutions, LLC

    Davede Alexander is the Founder of Innovo Strategic Solutions, where he advises mission-driven leaders on organizational design and disciplined scale. A graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy (BS) and University of Maryland Global Campus (MBA), Davede served as a Naval Surface Warfare Officer and as the first Director of Strategic Outreach for the Academy. He is a Standards for Excellence® Licensed Consultant and a former Trustee for Bridgewater State University, which will confer upon him an honorary degree in 2026. As a Founding Director, Davede is thrilled to return to the board for Leadership LINKS’ next stage of growth.

    Director Location: Crofton, MD

    🌐 innovostrategicsolutions.com

  • Woman with short curly hair, wearing glasses and large hoop earrings, smiling and standing outdoors.

    Captain LaDonna Simpson

    Board Secretary and Treasurer, Leadership LINKS, Inc.

    Surface Warfare Officer, United States Navy

    Captain Simpson is a graduate of the Naval Academy (B.S., Chemistry), and holds a Master of Engineering Management from Old Dominion University. With more than 20 years of service in the United States Navy, Captain Simpson has personally observed how powerful interactions with a Christ-centered community of leaders, mentors, and educators can be transformative for personal development. She looks forward to deepening her commitment to the Leadership LINKS Network serving on the Board of Directors.

    Director Location: Annapolis, MD

  • Smiling woman with braided hair and a cross necklace, wearing a blue outfit, standing outdoors.

    Dr. Natasha Sistrunk Robinson

    Visionary Founder and Director Emeritus, Leadership LINKS, Inc.

    Dr. Natasha Sistrunk Robinson is President & CEO of T3 Leadership Solutions, Inc. and the Visionary Founder and Director Emeritus of Leadership LINKS, Inc. A graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary, and North Park Theological Seminary, she is a sought-after international speaker, ICF certified executive leadership coach, and consultant with more than 25 years of leadership experience in the military, federal government, academic, and nonprofit sectors. She is the author of several books. Dr. Natasha has honorably served her country as a Marine Corps officer and employee at the Department of Homeland Security.

    Director Location: Durham, NC

    🌐 natashasrobinson.com

    🌐 t3leadershipsolutions.com

Board of Directors Wall of Honor

  • Smiling bald man in suit and glasses with striped tie

    Paul Timothy Stolwyk

    Director of Honor

    April 20, 1962-July 18, 2022

    Paul Stolwk was a servant of God and Leadership LINKS, Inc. Paul began volunteering with the organization in 2017, was appointed to the Board of Advisors (BOA) and began serving as the organization’s Spiritual Director in February 2019. Paul accepted increased responsibility by joining the Board of Directors (BOD) in February 2021. He continued serving on the BOD as the organization’s Spiritual Director until his untimely passing on July 18, 2022. When asked, “Why do you want to join the BOD of Leadership LINKS, Inc.,” Paul replied on his application, “I like the focus of Leadership LINKS, developing young leaders through a holistic/whole life mentoring philosophy. I am deeply appreciative and respectful of the opportunity to serve under African American leadership; I see it as another course in the Lord’s curriculum for me in my street level graduate education of understanding African American perspectives.” We will always remember the Service and smile of our dear brother, Paul Timothy Stolwyk, and his faithfully commitment to LINK Up with Leadership LINKS for life. Thank you for your Service, brother.

    www.paulstolwyk.org

2026-2027 Board of Advisors

  • Dr. Iwinosa Idahor

    Member of BOA, Leadership LINKS, Inc.

    Dr. Iwinosa Idahor serves as a district leader in Durham Public Schools. She supports the design/development and implementation of teacher and student centered, equity-focused initiatives, professional learning, and community engagement and other strategic efforts. Her experience with students spans over 10 years, including work at the K-12 and college levels, in traditional and non-traditional settings. Dr. Iwinosa is dedicated to amplifying the identities, voices and experiences of students through (counter)narratives, advocacy and creating/cultivating spaces and access to meaningful, impacting opportunities and resources leading to equitable and optimal learning experiences and outcomes for students, families and educators.

    Advisor Location: Hillsborough, NC

  • Mrs. Nephtalie Marceant

    Member of BOA, Leadership LINKS, Inc.

    Mrs. Nephtalie Marceant is a passionate servant leader based in New Jersey. She graduated from Felician University with a Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing, and is currently pursuing her master’s degree in Nurse-Midwifery at Thomas Jefferson University. She works as a registered nurse at Seton Hall University’s student clinic and as a Health Advocate at Solace. In 2022, Nephtalie joined the Leadership LINKS Network as a LINKS Leader in the Young Women’s Mentoring Program, where she grew in the confidence of her uniqueness and learned how to lead in the way God has designed her. In her free time, she enjoys writing poetry, ministering as a spoken word poet, serving at her church, playing video games, and spending quality time with her friends and family.

    Advisor Location: East Orange, NJ

  • Miss Walinda Phiri-Allemn

    Member of BOA, Leadership LINKS, Inc.

    Ms. Walinda Phiri is a strategy and operations leader with experience spanning federally funded grant management, international initiatives, higher education, corporate, nonprofit, banking, and marketing sectors. She has partnered with executive leaders and boards to bring clarity, structure, and strategic alignment to mission-driven work, and has experience in teaching and research that supports leadership development and education. Walinda is deeply motivated by helping organizations steward vision well, so it translates into sustainable, generational impact. She is passionate about mentoring and encouraging women to embrace their worth, walk in confidence, and live out their God-given purpose.

    Advisor Location: Raleigh, NC