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August is all about taking care of yourself, your family, and your community. Taking care includes everything from being aware of your surroundings and staying safe to showing appreciation for one another. So, be good to yourself and others.
On a hot day, there's nothing like a tall glass of iced tea or an Arnold Palmer to cool off. With the extreme heat lately, I've been enjoying 2 or 3 Arnold Palmers a day, along with plenty of water. Stay hydrated everyone!
A heartfelt thank you to our new oral historians from Southern Arizona. I always learn so much from each of you. As a non-Arizona native, I am continually amazed by the wonderful and impactful history of African Americans in and from Southern Arizona.
By the way it is Black Business Month. Puchase products, books - see below - and be a parton at Black owned businesses - Ken's Hardwood Barbecue, Tucson Hair and Beauty, and more!
Thank you Southern Arizonans who live in Bisbee, Sierra Vista, Nogales, Pima County, the City of Tucson, and the Phoenix area Tempe, Mesa, Gilbert—and to those of you around the country who have been so supportive! A special shout-out to Dave Kintas, a U of A alum and avid supporter of the museum and our programs! Swim On!
Stay safe, and enjoy August!
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We’ve Been Closed, But We Are Busy! | |
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Commander Douglas E. Woodard "Woody" - An aviator originally from New York, and long time resident of Tucson was one of three African American pilots who retraced a historic 1934 flight from New York to Trinidad made originally by two black pilots. Woody was also part of a search and rescue squad and supported the US during the aftermath of the September 11th attacks. He has participated in GSAAC (GreaterSouthern Arizona Chapter - of the Buffalo Soldiers) activities and flown notable figures in his plane, including Rev. Jesse Jackson and other dignitaries. For a related story, check out Les Morris, an amazing avaitor on our website (https://www.aamsaz.org/leslie-morris/).
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Black Community Council (BCC) - Styne Hill, Richard Davis, and Daisy Jenkins shared the rich history of the BCC from its early years, beginning with UA President Pete Likins. They discussed their role as Advisors to the President regarding the Black community and their efforts in recruiting students and faculty at the University of Arizona.
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The Watson Family - We had the honor of interviewing siblings Doris (Watson) Williams, Lisa Watson, Tim Watson, and Elaine (Watson) House. They shared their family's journey on the "cotton trail" from Texas to Arizona in the 1930s in search of a better life. They recounted their compelling challenges, the educational border changes in Tucson, and their parents' emphasis on education for a brighter future.
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We have a new screen that will show the history of AAMSAZ… Yes! COX Communications and the talented Trevor Davies and forward-looking Board Member Alfredo Prince have teamed up to assist us in documenting the road to developing, opening and moving forward!
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- Above former UA Basketball players Joe Nehls and Bob Elliott are interviewed by a BYU (Utah) station regarding the history of Coach Fred Snowden.
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Here's a Great Summer Read! | |
My Leader My Self: Self-Aware Leadership for Harnessing Super Powers in Yourself and Others. This book is an easy but essential read, authored by Teniqua Broughton. Her ability to spread light and love while leading is truly exceptional! Congrats Teniqua! | |
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Teniqua currently serves as the CEO of The State of Black Arizona and is the Founder/CEO of VerveSimone Consulting, which is celebrating 10 years of providing impactful services both nationally and locally. She is a leader’s leader, guiding others through thick and thin.
You can purchase "My Leader My Self: Self-Aware Leadership for Harnessing Super Powers in Yourself and Others" on Amazon.
Thank you, Teniqua, for sharing your 20+ years of experience in the nonprofit sector with the broader community.
ISBN-13: 979-8326293398
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IT'S BLACK AUGUST!
Happy Black Business Month!
Come mix and mingle with Black business owners
and entrepreneurs during Black Business Month!
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AAMSAZ at News!
BizTucson - Woman Leading the Region!
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We are so proud! Congratulations to Beverely Elliott, our founder and executive director of AAMSAZ, for being recognized as one of BizTucson's “Women Leading the Region!” Your unwavering dedication and commitment to our wonderful community are truly impressive and deeply appreciated.
Thank you for your tireless contributions to the Tucson community and for preserving such cherished African American history for future generations, ensuring that the heritage and history are not lost. We admire the positivity and energy you bring to everyone who knows you. It's been a blessing to work for you, and we are honored to have you. As always, we are immensely proud of you!
--Jenny Li
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"Beverely Elliott, inspired by her grandson's question about learning Black history in Tucson, founded the African American Museum of Southern Arizona at the University of Arizona. A dedicated educator and community activist, Elliott has worked on significant initiatives like the CROWN Act and removing racist language in HOA bylaws. She is recognized for her efforts with the Ray Davies Lifetime Humanitarian Achievement Award. The museum aims to preserve Black history and culture, with future exhibitions planned to honor notable figures and stories of resilience. Elliott encourages a positive and educational approach to life's experiences."
You can read the Full Article here:
https://biztucson.com/beverely-elliott/
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AAMSAZ at News!
Legends Magazine - The Official Magazine of the National Basketball Retired Players Association
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The museum was featured in the National Basketball Retired Players Association's national magazine this past month. Bob and Beverely are grateful to writer Bennett Schramko for this opportunity, as well as to the NBRPA staff. | |
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"The African American Museum of Southern Arizona, founded by NBRPA Director Bob Elliott and his wife, Beverely, was inspired by their 7-year-old grandson, Jody, who, in 2021, asked where he could learn about local African-American heroes for a school project. Realizing there was no such museum in Tucson or Arizona, Jody suggested they start one. The Elliotts quickly gathered a collection of artifacts and opened the museum in early 2023. The grand opening attracted 362 visitors, far exceeding expectations. The museum has since received support from both former and current NBA players, including donations from Harrison Barnes and plans for a conversation event with Hall-of-Famer Julius Ervin. Bob Elliott, a former NBA player and University of Arizona star, now serves on the NBRPA Board of Directors."
You can read the Full Article here:
https://www.legends-mag.com/preserving-african-american-heritage-bob-beverely-elliott
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Spotlight on TJ Theirry, Our Summer Intern | |
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We've had the pleasure of working with TJ Theirry, our new volunteer intern for the summer, and he has been incredibly busy!
TJ has been diligently setting up the museum's profile on Ancestry.com, enabling visitors to learn how to start their family trees. Ancestry.com offers a free trial, and we are confident that once you see those beautiful leaves pop up, you'll be eager to discover more about your family's history.
In addition, TJ has been instrumental in researching an online written history that was previously “lost,” dormant, and hidden in plain sight, yet not shared or accessible to the community. These oral histories were written by University of Arizona students who interviewed Icons in our community from 1989 to 1991 as part of a class designed by Dr. Harry Lawson and Ms. Gloria Smith.
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As TJ's internship comes to an end, we want to say a huge “Thank You!” for your patience, research, and hard work. Your contributions have been invaluable to us. | |
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Honored to Partner with Camp Naco and
the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s HOPE Crew!
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We were honored to once again partner with Camp Naco, which was selected as the site for a documentation field school hosted by the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s HOPE Crew! The HOPE Crew (Hands-On Preservation Experience) is dedicated to empowering a new generation of preservationists.
Ten students from six Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) were selected to participate in this field school as part of a larger Digital Documentation Fellowship (DDF) offered in partnership with the African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund. After spending a week in Washington, D.C., the students journeyed to Camp Naco for the field school.
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At Camp Naco, the students worked with digital tools to document the site’s buildings and open spaces and participated in an on-site adobe preservation workshop. On Tuesday, July 30th, the students visited Tucson for a series of site visits, starting with the University of Arizona and Dr. Bryan Carter's Digital Humanities workshop, followed by a visit to the African American Museum of Southern Arizona, and the Buffalo Soldier Memorial and Quincie Douglas Center. We also welcomed local and Camp Naco architect and preservationist Corky Poster!
We are proud to collaborate with Camp Naco, Digital Humanities, and the Tucson Buffalo Soldier Memorial on Project HOPE!
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Welcome Tripp Twyman to Our Board of Directors! | |
We are excited to welcome Tripp Twyman to our board of directors. Tripp is a Consultant at Boston Consulting Group (BCG). During his undergraduate years here at the University of Arizona, he co-founded the Eller African American Honorary, the first organization for Black business students at the University of Arizona. He also served as President of the Zeta Theta Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. | |
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Today, Tripp sits on the Alumni Advisory Council of the University of Arizona Foundation and leads special projects for Black Outside, Inc., a Texas-based nonprofit dedicated to reconnecting Black and African-American youth to the outdoors. He holds a BS in Business Administration from Eller, a Master of Accounting from USC, and an MBA from the Stanford Graduate School of Business.
Tripp has hit the ground running. He presented us with fantastic opportunity, that might include an oral history, a book signing, and more. Stay tuned for more details!
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In Memory of Mr. Sam Newsome | |
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We are saddened to share the passing of Mr. Sam Newsome, one of our cherished oral historians. We were honored to have met him and to have gathered his story alongside his wife, Barbara. Our heartfelt condolences go out to Barbara and the entire Newsome family.
Watch the oral history at AAMSAZ:
https://www.aamsaz.org/barbara-and-sam-newsome/
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AASLH Small Museums Scholarship | |
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We are so excited! It was announced that Beverely Elliott was chosen as the recipient of one of the Small Museums Scholarships for the 2024 AASLH’s (American Association of State and Local History) Annual Conference in Mobile, AL, on September 11-14.
It was given based on the work that distinguished AAMSAZ and Beverely in an evaluation process. One of the most rewarding aspects of this program is for AASLH is to learn of the talented new professionals in the field. Although, one of the statements you hear Beverely say is that she has had NO formal training in this field and she is not a historian, curator, a archivist, and certainly not a digital specialist, or a docent. She is a lover of history, and that began with research she did about her own family.
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Impact Tucson event at TUSD
AAMSAZ's amazing volunteer Rose and curator Jenny represented the museum at the Impact Tucson event. This fantastic annual event also provided free backpacks to students and families—thanks to TUSD for helping our families start the new school year in the best way possible.
We extend our gratitude to TUSD and Palo Verde High Magnet School for hosting this wonderful Saturday event. We appreciate everyone’s valuable time, resources, and services. Together, Impact served over 4,000 students and families in our community. The event had a significant impact on education and community resources, and we are truly grateful for the opportunity to participate in this event. We look forward to our continued partnership!
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If you have not already done so, TUSD would like to extend an invitation to you to participate in the Inspire Partnership program. This program focuses on Integrating Networks to Support Partnerships In Resources and Education. Their mission: empowering students and families for academic success and personal growth. By clicking on the link below, you can explore various ways to collaborate with TUSD that align with your community outreach initiatives, whether through education, networking, or other opportunities.
INSPIRE Partner Registration
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Please Invite Congress to Visit AAMSAZ!
August 12-16 is #Invite Congress to Visit
We’ve already sent our letters. Please connect and support!
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Find out who represents you in Congress.
You can check here for contact information for the Arizona Congressional delegation (U.S. Senators and Representatives). We would appreciate your support in encouraging Congress to visit AAMSAZ!
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Send an email invitation to your legislator's office. MAA (Museum Association of Arizona) offers a sample invitation that you can copy or can be automatically sent to your legislator. You may want to personalize the letter with specific information about AAMSAZ and its history.
- Elected officials are eager to connect with constituents, and it's critical that museum advocates continue to make the case for museums. Use our template to invite your Representatives and Senators to visit your museum or meet with you (in person or virtually) during #InviteCongress.
Museum Association of Arizona
PO Box 63902
Phoenix AZ 85082
azmuseums@gmail.com
www.azmuseums.org
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Register Today and get your ticket to Fashion and Fun!
AAMSAZ, in Collaboration with Pima Community College, Seven Cups Tea, and Toni Ham Designs presents
A Tea for old times...
Hats and Style Required!
Please see and sign up for a sponsorship or personal ticket Information on the seats below:
https://pimafoundation.org/event/fashion/
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The Making Black History Market Team
wants to extend a cheerful invitation to the community.
August 31st from 7-10 PM
at the newly renovated location of
Zemam's / Ethiopian Food
2713 E. Broadway
It's Black Business Month!
https://www.z-street.com/zemams/
| The African American Museum of Southern Arizona will be the honorary recipient of a donation at its upcoming bi-annual Making Black History Market. This event will celebrate African American culture by uplifting black-owned local businesses. | |
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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. | | |
National Voter Registration Day is a nonpartisan civic holiday dedicated to celebrating our democracy. Since its inception in 2012, the holiday and its team of thousands of partners have successfully registered over 5 million Americans to vote in time for their next trip to the ballot box. | |
Celebrated each September,
National Voter Registration Day brings together dedicated partners from across the country for a single, star-spangled day of coordinated field, digital, and media efforts, all focused on strengthening our shared democracy.
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Gerber's 2024 Baby is
Akil McLeod Jr.,: nickname of Sonny
| https://www.today.com/parents/babies/gerber-baby-2024-rcna158570 |  | |
Meet 1-year-old Akil “Sonny” McLeod,
an Arizonan who made history as the 2024 Gerber Baby.
Sonny, an African American baby, was recently selected as the winner of Gerber's 14th annual photo search, beating out thousands of babies and becoming the newest face of Gerber for 2024.
Sonny lives in Arizona with his parents, Dominique and Akil McLeod Sr., and his big sister, Sage. He loves reading his squishy ABC book, playing with toy cars, and watching football with his family. Dominique, Sonny’s mom, entered the contest without letting anyone know. Surprise! He Won!
The Phoenix-based family shared their excitement with the Today Show, expressing their shock and joy at winning. Sonny will now take part in Gerber’s social media and marketing campaigns. Along with the prestigious title, the McLeod family will receive $25,000 in cash, Gerber products, and clothing for the next year. Additionally, Gerber will donate $5,000 to M.A.N.C.A.V.E., a Phoenix community fatherhood program that uplifts dads of all backgrounds. Akil Sr. is an active member of this organization. Dominique shared that Sonny’s nickname reflects the joy and sunshine he brings to their lives!
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History …
John Langellier, has released information so that you can purchase his latest book More Work Than Glory. Please find attached an AI sheet which provides everything you need to know about purchasing the book and the information sheet on the book.
Learn More at: https://www.casematepublishers.com/trade-sales/
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Leaving a Lasting Legacy in Arizona
Sahuaro HS/ASU Alum /UA Alum /Arizona Daily Star on July 2, 2024
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Mr. Taylor is the outgoing president of the State Bar of Arizona. He was the first Black person as president in the 91year history of the organization. Benjamin Taylor's dynamic legal practice focuses on personal injury, family law, and criminal defense, including death-penalty cases.
In his words:
The State Bar of Arizona made history in June 2023 when unanimously electing the first Black president in the 91-year history of the organization. With a one-year term, we had a lot of work to do in a short amount of time and it was my goal to make lasting changes. In the last year, the top priority was to increase diversity in the State Bar. When named the first Black president of the State Bar, it was pertinent to ensure the organization has people of all races, identities, backgrounds, ages and gender contributing ideas and making the organization welcoming to all.
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Benjamin Taylor
Copyright © 2024 Arizona Daily Star • Terms of Service • Privacy Policy • 07/02/2024
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According to the National Association for Law Placement, in 2020, people of color only made up 26% of associates in U.S. law firms and Black people only made up 4.5% of lawyers in the U.S. While this is an increase from previous years, these are small fractions of the people that make up the entirety of the judicial system.
When I first joined the Bar, there were very few people of color as members and in leadership positions. It felt like a daunting challenge to serve on the leadership team, especially as a Black man, but after joining the board and being named president six years later, change was in motion.
As a Black president leading the organization, my focus was to open the doors for many other BIPOC lawyers and judges in Arizona and ensure they have a voice in the State Bar. Representation in the law is key in making people of color feel seen, having increased opportunities, and connecting with a like-minded community.
Representation also makes us better community members, more understanding lawyers and a well-rounded justice system. We see thousands of cases with no two looking alike and no two clients looking alike. It is our duty to ensure we can see their perspective to offer them an honest and fair trial.
In the last year, we have also extended State Bar resources to law students at Arizona State University and U Arizona creating a pipeline of younger lawyers for the State Bar. The Bar also created new programs and legal clinics to help individuals who cannot afford an attorney. Many judges and lawyers have signed up to offer volunteer their time offering free legal advice to minority communities statewide.
While we have elected the first Black president, extended resources to a more diverse group of people, and are serving more people of color, there is still so much more work to be done in Arizona.
With myself and a diverse group of lawyers and judges we are full of hope for the future of the organization and the future of justice in Arizona.
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Black Rodeo USA
Get ready for an unforgettable rodeo experience in 2024!
SAVE THE DATE!
Put on your boots and Join us!
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Mark your calendars for these exciting Rodeos:
- Aug 30-31: Scottsdale, Arizona
- Oct 11-12: Las Vegas, Nevada
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NAACP Tucson Branch
Freedom Fund Luncheon
Saturday, October 5, 2024
11:00 AM
Casino Del Sol
5655 W. Valencia Rd.
Tucson, AZ 85757
More information about tickets, ads, and sponsorship coming soon!
Save the Date!
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Celebrating the Beauty of Black Girlhood:
New Documentary Premieres at Tribeca Film Festival
| A new documentary, which premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival, celebrates the beauty of Black Girls growing up through the age-old cotillion experience. Jeroslyn JoVonn wrote about it, and here is an excerpt of her story. | |
The Debutantes follows three “debs”—Teylar Bradley, Amelia Boles, and Dedra Robbins—as they grow up with the challenges of coming of age and transitioning into adulthood, according to NBC News. The film is directed by Contessa Gayles and produced by NBC News Studio. | |
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The debs wrestle with paying bills and financial management, family tension, and self-discovery in a judgmental world where adulthood comes all too quickly. The documentary focuses on the 2022 Stark County Debutante Cotillion in Canton, Ohio, a Black debutante ball that was revived to offer the cotillion experience as a program for Black girls, many of whom live below the poverty line.
With cotillion experiences being predominantly white since their U.S. inception in the early 1800s, the documentary initiates a dialogue at the intersection of class, race, and gender.
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Kennedy Center Honors Awards…The Apollo Theater | |
It's extremely rare for a venue selection rather than a performer to receive this prestigious award. But The Apollo's nine-decade run as an incubator for generations of Black talent has qualified and is an exception. The famed venue is among the 47th Kennedy Center class set to be honored with an evening of tributes, testimonials, and performances on Dec. 8 at Washington's John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. | August 20, 1619. Twenty Africans arrived in Jamestown, Virginia, aboard a Dutch ship. They were the first blacks to be forcibly settled as involuntary laborers or slaves in the North America's British Colonies. | |
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World War I Veteran Identified from 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre Graves | |
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OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — In a historic revelation, C.L. Daniel, a World War I veteran from Georgia, has been identified as the first person from the mass graves containing over a hundred victims of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre. This identification was announced by Mayor G.T. Bynum. Using DNA from the descendants of Daniel's brothers, his remains were processed by Intermountain Forensics. Daniel was in his 20s when he was killed.
“This is one family who gets to give a member of their family a proper burial after not knowing where they were for over a century,” Bynum stated.
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In 1921, a white mob massacred up to 300 Black individuals over two days, destroying the prosperous community known as Black Wall Street and forcing thousands into internment camps overseen by the National Guard. This event, long suppressed, is a dark chapter in the violence experienced in American history. | |
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Our Legacy Founder Investors | | |
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Our Legacy Founder Investors (LFI)
COX,
TEP,
Elliott Family Charity,
Zuckerman Family Foundation,
Tucson Foundation
Thank you for your
unwavering support!
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We want to encourage you…our community, to purchase a tile on our Bench for the Bench honoring Ketanji Brown Jackson! |
- She is the First African American woman to sit on the U.S. Supreme Court.
- You can purchase an engraved tile with your organization's name, logo, or your family's name or a simple design.
- Go to our website for more information, and be sure to note that your donation is for the Ketanji Brown Jackson (KBJ) Bench! Sold out of our $1,000 tiles!
We have 6 2x2 tiles available! Contact us today!
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Gender and Women Studies and AAMSAZ will place a bench as seen above on the
Women's Plaza of Honor
While you're visiting the bench, take a look at the African American Women's Arch!
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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.
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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? 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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Sign Up for Tours and Visits
Tours or visits to the African American Museum of Southern Arizona are by appointment only
Wednesday through Saturday
10 AM – 4 PM.
Schedule a tour by signing up online. Please check our schedule and sign up using the AAMSAZ
website sign-up page!
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General Admission to the museum is free.
Please consider Making a Donation in any amount. Thank you!
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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. | | | | |
