Black Archives to induct three community members into Hall of Fame

The Black Archives Museum plans to induct three new community members into the Hall of Fame 2025 with an event on Thursday, Feb. 27. 

These new inductees have "had a significant and lasting impact on the St. Joseph Community as a whole (economic, civic involvement, inspirational contributions, and educational contributions) and have made major contributions in the cultural, sports, and/or civic areas. Mr. Chuck Davis, Mr. Elbert "Buddy" Davis, and Mrs. Kelsey Beshears (posthumous) are this year's inductees."

The Black Archives Hall of Fame induction is scheduled to begin at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, February 27, with a social hour at 3406 Frederick Avenue and the ceremony will begin at 6 p.m., the event will end around 8 p.m. 

According to the Museum:

• Chuck Davis, a "people-person" is the current President of Benton High School Alumni Association and a member of the St. Joseph Police Advisory Committee. Mr. Davis is a dedicated researcher of Black history in St. Joseph, donating a bunch of photographs to the museum which are featured in an exhibit titled "the Chuck Davis Photo Collection."
• Elbert "Buddy" Davis was hired in 1976 by the Joyce Raye Patterson Center as a Recreation Supervisor, he was the first supervisor hired for the facility and worked on program development, volunteer recruitment, activity supervision, staff support and helped create the advisory council for the Wesley Center with later became InterServ.
• Mrs. Kelsey Beshears is known as one of the most important figures for the Civil Rights Movement in St. Joseph. Beshears is a former educator who was elected the first President of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People in St. Joseph, she organized boycotts to fight against racial injustice, was the first black woman to serve on a criminal jury in Buchanan County and the first person to organize the St. Joseph Human Rights Commission. Beshears lived to be 100-years-old and is known as an "Unsung Hero."

Tickets for the event are free, however attendees must register with the museum prior to the event. 

Ticketing information can be found at stjosephmuseum.org/events and then individuals should click on the Black Archives Hall of Fame Induction event. 

For more information contact 816-232-8471, email sjm@stjosephmuseum.org, or visit stjosephmuseum.org/events.