By James Windell
The Black History Leadership Society celebrates Black History Month on Sunday, February 15, 2026, at Lily of The Valley Church in Covert.
It will be the 48th Annual Celebration by The Black History Leadership Society and this year they are honoring African American Health Care Professionals past and present.
The guest speaker and honoree at the event, which aims at bringing an awareness of African American contributions to the advancement of Medical Technology, will be Rosalind Davis, a Nurse Professional Development Specialist with Beacon Kalamazoo (formerly Accension Borgess).
“It is important for people to be educated about African American Contributions in medicine because for far too long it has not been shared in our communities,” said Dorothy Sherrod, a member of the South Haven Black History Leadership Society.
Rosalind Davis, BSN, RN, who has been a registered nurse for almost 50 years, will speak about “Doors of Faith and Opportunity.” She says that her professional motto is “Nursing is not about what I do; it’s about who I am.”
In her role at Beacon Kalamazoo, Davis provides clinical staff with educational opportunities to enhance skills and foster ongoing professional development, and she supports a culture of lifelong learning by promoting and providing educational and developmental opportunities for health professionals. Over her career, she has taught a diverse group of healthcare professionals including licensed nurses, nursing students, patient care technicians, patient care associates, nurse aids, monitor technicians, Emergency Medical Techs and Paramedic personnel. Davis also provides in-service training and continuing education in cardiology critical care nursing.
In addition, Davis has been a Nurse Consultant in community education, including being a CPR & Advanced Life support instructor. She currently provides adjunct education for the Nurse Education team at Beacon Kalamazoo.
Besides guest speaker Davis, Dr. Charles Peterson will read his poetry.
Often referred to as “The Poet,” Dr. Peterson, is known for his socially conscious poetry that blends philosophy, faith, and cultural commentary. He has released several books reflecting his personal journey and worldview.
The celebration of Black History Month takes place at Lily of The Valley Church, 30600 M-140 in Covert at 4:00 pm on Sunday, February 15. The program is free
For more information, call 269-764-8111.
