The Southwest Michigan Black Heritage Society "The connection to yesterday"

Board Members

Donna Odom, Executive Director

Donna is a native of Chicago, Illinois. She received her B.A. at Kalamazoo College and her M.A. at Loyola University of Chicago. She and her husband Al relocated to Kalamazoo in 1993. She has worked at the Kalamazoo Valley Museum since 1996 where she coordinates history programs and special projects. She is also a member of the board of the Kalamazoo County Historical Society.

Dr. Romeo Phillips, Chair of the Board

Dr. Phillips has been a member of the Kalamazoo/Portage community since 1968 when he accepted the position that led to his becoming the first tenured African American professor at Kalamazoo College. He has played an active role in community arts and political organizations, having served as the president of the Kalamazoo Chapter of the NAACP, as a member of the Portage City Council, and as a performer in the Kalamazoo Bach Festival, the Kalamazoo Singers, and other music ensembles.

Curtis Bell II, Secretary

Appointed to Kalamazoo County Probate Court, 2005 the Honorable Curtis Bell serves in the Family Division of the Circuit Court. He was managing partner in private practice at a law firm located in Kalamazoo, 1994-2005, an adjunct professor at Western Michigan University, Haworth College of Business, and a former Oshtemo Township Deputy Supervisor. Judge Bell served as president of the Kalamazoo County Bar Association, from 2008-2009, president of the Southwest Michigan Probate Judges Association, from 2007-2008, and secretary from 2006-2007.

Alfrelynn Roberts, Treasurer

Assistant to the City Manager. Board of Murphy Darden Historical Museum; Sacred Music Festival Board; Kalamazoo Civic Board; NAACP Executive Board; member Delta Sigma Theta.

Christine Berro

Christine is director of the Portage District Library, president of the Michigan Library Association, a member of the Kalamazoo Rotary (Chair of scholarship and Community Service Award Committees), a member of the Portage Public Schools Curriculum Instruction Council and past chair of the Portage Community Center Board.

Ann Rohrbaugh

Ann is director of the Kalamazoo Public Library, past chair and current board member of the Southwest Michigan Library Cooperative, a member of the Kalamazoo Rotary (chair of the Literacy Committee), and has held past board and committee roles for the Michigan Library Association. She is also a member of American Library Association, the executive board of the Downtown Development Association, and the board of Downtown Kalamazoo, Inc.