In 2012, visionary founder and chairperson, Natasha Sistrunk Robinson, shared the vision of Leadership LINKS, Inc. with people who she believed shared her desire to grow a collaborative, educational, and encouraging community of like-minded individuals. She wanted to connect others who had the same passions and desires. She reached out to like-minded individuals from her life’s journey—each of them are passionate about sharing their gifts, knowledge and expertise. She began with two friends, QuaWanna Bannarbie and Nicole Hayes. They began sharing ideas regarding our spiritual voyages and how God had laid upon their hearts to encourage others. Acknowledging their expertise in the fields of community service and education, respectively, she requested their feedback, and invited them to join her in forming an organization where they could collectively share with others.

PICTURED: QuaWanna Bannarbie (left), Dr. Tracey Nicole Hayes (middle) and Natasha Sistrunk Robinson (right).

These three leaders at the helm of the organization have more in common than just being great friends. They are graduates of the United States Naval Academy. Dr. Tracey Nicole Hayes is a graduate of the Class of 1992. Mrs. QuaWanna Ne’Cole Bannarbie is a graduate of the Class of 1999. Mrs. Natasha Sistrunk Robinson is a graduate of the Class of 2002.

After her two friends said yes to the vision, Natasha later contacted Arthur Johnson (1979), Davede Alexander (2001), and Tasya Lacy (1997), all of whom would become the founding board members of Leadership LINKS, Inc.

Robinson and Hayes, who are both published authors and editors, recently submitted an article on the topic of this unique sisterhood with LINKS Leader sisters. It was published with the blog of the United States Naval Academy Shared Interest Group.

Read the article here.