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August may not have a major holiday but it is truly a busy month! For folks in the south and west…it’s back to school. Time to shop and or support our back-to-school bashes, stuff the buses, and or get our college students ready to head off to college. There are lots of wonderful activities to participate in and days to enjoy. Keep reading and check out all the fun businesses you can support and things you can do this month!
THANK YOU for Believing in Our Mission and Vision
We are truly grateful for your continued support—and we’re excited to share a few special updates that wouldn’t be possible without the encouragement and generosity of partners like you. We will be sharing with you all our wonderful donors and levels…coming soon!
So… a few things happened this summer and we are so grateful!
| | Pima County Reimbursement Program | | We are honored to have been awarded funds through Pima County’s reimbursement program! From the very beginning, Pima County has supported our mission to preserve and share the rich history of African Americans in Southern Arizona. We’re especially thankful for the visits and encouragement from several members of the Board of Supervisors. We are also so grateful for entire board for supporting us: Jan Lesher, Adelita Grijalva, and Paul Cunningham. | | |
Camp Naco Fellowship -
“A Taste of African American History”
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A heartfelt thank you to Nikieia for inspiring the title of our upcoming event and Fellowship offering. I was reminded of the important role food plays in our history, traditions, and celebrations and thus this project was supported by Camp Naco. Thank you!
Join us on October 25th – more information to come for “A Taste of African American History,” featuring three of our amazing partner food trucks. Each will serve dishes representing the meals we enjoy during Juneteenth, New Year’s Day, and even ones inspired historically by our Buffalo Soldiers. Come meet up and eat up!
And yes—we're creating a recipe booklet that explains why these dishes are meaningful, with a few extras available on the side!
| | Las Donas Gift & Digital History Project | | |
We are incredibly grateful to Las Donas for their recent gift to the museum. Their generosity will help support our fall interns, who will continue the work on reviving content from the long-dormant “In Your Parents’ Eyes” website. With the addition of our new Digital/Multi-Media employee, and director we are finally able to move this project forward.
Our goal is to develop a digital exhibition highlighting those African Americans who left their written stories behind…with hopes of presenting the first phase this spring.
| | August is National Black Business Month | | |
Every August, National Black Business Month is observed across the United States to recognize, celebrate, and support Black-owned businesses. Established in 2004 by historian John William Templeton and engineer Frederick E. Jordan Sr., this month is dedicated to highlighting the invaluable contributions of Black and African American entrepreneurs, while also raising awareness of the unique challenges they face.
This is a time to not only reflect—but to ACT!
How can you support Black businesses? Get started right here in our own community.
Support Local Black-Owned Businesses and Black-Led Organizations
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1. Juneteenth Festival Committee
“It’s not just a moment—it’s a movement!” Sound familiar? That’s because it aligns so closely with our own values! This dynamic organization works year-round to uplift the community—not just in June.
Led by President Larry Starks, the committee was recently honored with the Social Venture Partners $100,000 award in recognition of their impactful work. We are proud to stand alongside Larry and the incredible network of partners who keep the movement strong.
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2. A Better Community (ABC)
Founded by Carmishun and Trehon Coleman, ABC is a grassroots organization that’s transforming Southern Arizona through service. From feeding families, to supporting small businesses, to hosting an annual Back-to-School Bash, their efforts are wide-reaching and heartfelt. Trehon is also becoming the community’s go-to MC for events that matter—bringing energy, professionalism, and passion wherever he goes. The museum is honored to support them along with the Elliott Family Charities.
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3. African American Museum of Southern Arizona (AAMSAZ)
And of course—don’t forget us! As the first African American Museum in Southern Arizona, we exist to preserve and share the stories that have often been overlooked or erased. We are 100% supported by donations, grants, and gifts. Your support keeps the mission alive. Thank you, Tucson, Southern Arizona, and our supporters across the U.S., for believing in this work and helping us grow.
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4. I Am You 360
I AM YOU 360™ is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. I Am You 360 is an award-winning, forward-thinking, progressive, innovative, led by an African American woman is leading in diversity and inclusion Desiree Cook’s lived experience inspired her to revolutionize a movement called “I Am Somebody”. The State of Arizona is home to 20,000 vulnerable youth. They are saying “I AM Somebody”.
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Other
Digital & Print Services
Decor
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Nominated for best bake shop!
Now let's help them win it!
🎉HOW TO VOTE:
👉🏿Click the link below and find
Sydney’s Sweet Shoppe under the DINING category
You may vote for us every day until Sunday, August 10th at 11:59pm!
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We need your voice! The State of Black Arizona is launching a Housing Report centered on your lived experiences. This project will elevate stories from our communities about the barriers and breakthroughs in finding safe, stable, and affordable housing across the state. Thank you Teniqua Broughton, CEO, for you service to our community!
This informal and confidential survey will help us better understand the challenges affecting home-ownership in the Black community across our state. Whether you’re renting, buying, unhoused, or in transition, your experience matters. The insights we gather through this brief community survey will inform policy, expose inequities, and help leaders craft real solutions. Scan the QR code or visit this link to the survey:
| | | | Thank you – Master Sargent Frank Bothwell, Lee Easter III, President of the GSAAC (Greater Southern Arizona Association) Buffalo Soldiers, Trooper Carlos Walton and of course Nikieia Johnson, and Kimberlee Avant, for your help as we worked to get these boots on! | | Coming in November – SAVE THE DATE! | | |
As a proud participant in the Blue Star Museums program, we are honored to partner with the National Endowment for the Arts, Blue Star Families, the Department of Defense, and museums nationwide in recognizing and supporting our military community.
We always offer free admission, but during the next few months we encourage all active-duty military personnel and their families, including members of the National Guard and Reserve to stop in at AAMSAZ. This is our way of saying thank you for your service.
The 2025 program began on Armed Forces Day, Saturday, May 17th and ends on Labor Day, Monday, September 1, 2025. FYI - Armed Forces Day was established in 1949 for citizens to come together and thank military members for their patriotic service.
We welcome you to explore and enjoy the museum during your visit. Just bring your military ID—we look forward to seeing you!
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The Legacy of Walter White –
A True American Hero, Never Forgotten
Walter White, was born on July 1, 1893, in Atlanta, Georgia. White was once regarded as the most influential Black man in America. As a fearless investigator of racial violence and a key leader of the NAACP, his impact on the civil rights movement was profound—yet today, his name is rarely mentioned.
Rediscover the life and legacy of this overlooked trailblazer in Forgotten Hero: Walter White and the NAACP, now streaming on YouTube and the PBS app.
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Source: George Rinhart // Getty Images
Meet the “Joy Goddess” of Harlem: Madame CJ Walker Millionaire
A’Lelia Walker Steps into the Spotlight
When we think of the Harlem Renaissance, names like Langston Hughes, Zora Neale Hurston, and Josephine Baker often come to mind. But a new biography invites us to celebrate another icon of the era—A’Lelia Walker, daughter of the legendary Madam C.J. Walker.
In Joy Goddess: A’Lelia Walker and the Harlem Renaissance, journalist and family historian A’Lelia Bundles—who is also A’Lelia Walker’s great-granddaughter—offers a captivating portrait of a woman whose glamor, charisma, and cultural influence helped shape one of the most dynamic periods in American history. Known for hosting some of Harlem’s most legendary parties and salons, A’Lelia Walker earned the nickname “Joy Goddess of Harlem” from none other than Langston Hughes.
More than just an heiress to her mother’s groundbreaking beauty empire, A’Lelia Walker carved out her own legacy. She was a vibrant figure who used her resources and platform to support artists, musicians, writers, civil rights causes, and Black intellectual life. Her life, from modest beginnings to becoming a Harlem socialite and cultural patron, unfolds in intimate detail thanks to Bundles’ deep family insight and extensive research.
Bundles previously chronicled the story of Madam C.J. Walker in her acclaimed biography On Her Own Ground, which inspired the Netflix series Self Made. With Joy Goddess, she brings new light to A’Lelia Walker’s world—her elegance, her activism, and her unwavering sense of self.
This biography is not just a family story—it’s an invitation to revisit the Harlem Renaissance through the eyes of one of its most dazzling figures.
(Resource: The Grio, Self Made) https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Joy-Goddess/ALelia-Bundles/9781416544425
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Nikieia Johnson
Director
African American Museum of Southern Arizona www.aamsaz.org
We are a movement, not just a museum
Office of Research and Partnerships | The University of Arizona
Museum: U of A Student Union Room #244
Photos by Joe Jackson, Jr.
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Become an AAMSAZ monthly donor
and support our mission.
We appreciate Xavier Walker, Kendall Foster,
Larry Haynes, Dinah McGlory, Jonelle Vold, and Brad Terry. You have been supporters from the start! Thank you!
Coming soon ... a list of all donors!
| | | | Become a part of assisting us as we share high-quality educational programming, engaging content, and impactful cultural information with our community and the world. | | | | | |
Our Legacy Founder Investors COX, TEP, Elliott Family Charity, Zuckerman Family Foundation, Tucson Foundation
Also Thank you to
Alice and Paul Baker
Thank you for your
unwavering support!
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Supporting AAMSAZ | We love hearing from you!
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Gifts in any amount are always welcomed. Please use our easy and secure online giving site.
- Do you have a legacy story or an oral history to share? How about an African American or Black collection that you want to donate to AAMSAZ?
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Let's connect. Please email us and let us know at AAMuseumofSouthernAZ@gmail.com.
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Join our team of volunteers!
Join the effort to preserve African American history and culture in Southern Arizona. AAMSAZ welcomes volunteers. Background checks will be conducted. We are committed to finding meaningful ways for you to contribute.
Please contact us at AAMuseumofSouthernAZ@gmail.com to learn how you can volunteer.
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Hours of Operation
Wednesday - Saturday
10 AM to 4 PM
Friday
10 AM to 3 PM
Small groups of 5 or less can stop in anytime during our open hours.
Please check our schedule for Holiday and Summer Hours listed on our website.
Schedule a tour of 6 or more by signing up online. website sign-up page! Thank you for your support!
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General Admission to
the museum is free!
Help us keep it that way by
Making a Donation!
Thank you!
| | Please know that we do not share or distribute emails that we receive. | | |
Find AAMSAZ on Facebook and Twitter.
Use #aamsaz and #aams_AZ on your social media posts.
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