Memorial Hospital hosted its annual Black History Month program Tuesday morning, celebrating African-American pioneers in medicine in hospitals around the country.
This marked the hospitals third annual Black History Month program. The program’s focus was dedicated to African-Americans in the arts and provided local musicians and dancers in the community a chance to display their talents.
Officials from around Harrison County stopped by to show their support of the rich history of African Americans.
Dr. John Kelly, former Gulfport chief administrative officer, served as the program’s guest speaker. He highlighted the importance of the arts and the continuous cycle of how entertainment has brought different races together to see each other as equal. “The talk this morning was really designed to give this audience an opportunity to see how many African American artists embrace their art to make social change all around them.”
Entertainer Lakeisha Cotton said, “He brought it from way back so everyone in the room could relate to what he was saying from those that have passed on, those that are still with us and those to come how important it is for music and arts to help create and shape history, and also to be front runners, not just trailblazers.”