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It's Black History Month
It's also...Youth Leadership Month, International Friendship Month, and American Heart Month and of course Valentines Day!
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As we celebrate Black History Month, we honor, history and contributions of African Americans/ Black individuals throughout time in the United States. This month offers us the opportunity to reflect on the resilience, creativity, and achievements that have shaped our world in countless ways. It’s a time to celebrate the past, acknowledge the ongoing journey, and continue to build a future rooted in equality, understanding, and justice. Let’s come together to learn, share, and uplift the voices that have long been instrumental in shaping our history and our future.
Welcome to a month of reflection, celebration, and action!
Ohhhh yes, this is also the month of love! Thank goodness we could use that!
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Let’s celebrate our Southern Arizona historians, writers,
artists, and more, and share and acknowledge both the adversities
and incredible triumphs that are integral to Southern Arizona.
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Over the past few months, we have been planning and collaborating with the community to celebrate Martin Luther King Day with a few days of events!
We celebrated with so much support and energy from all of you!
We started with...
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An Evening with the Doctor:
Julius “Dr. J” Erving Inspires Tucson
On Thursday, January 16, 2025, over 1,000 guests were captivated by the presence of basketball legend Julius “Dr. J” Erving at Palo Verde High Magnet School. The unforgettable evening was moderated by Bob Elliott, former University of Arizona All-American and NBA teammate of Julius. We were graced with Dr. Gabriel Trujillo telling his story about Dr. J. and Trehon Coleman who got the crowd ready!
As Elliott introduced the event, he shared the unique tradition of starting oral histories by asking each guest to tell us where they were born—and from there, the incredible story of Dr. J began to unfold.
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Julius opened up about his early years, revealing the challenges he faced growing up, including the loss of his father at a young age and living with his older sister and younger brother while his mother worked domestic jobs before becoming a hairdresser. He also shared how his experience with race was shaped by playing on teams with white kids, and how he never paid much attention to racism during that time.
It was during high school that a teammate gave him the nickname “The Doctor,” a moniker that would become legendary in the world of basketball. Julius also reflected on the hardships of his youth, including the heartbreaking loss of his brother to lupus. He recounted rushing home from college to be by his brother’s side before his passing.
Despite the difficulties, Julius showed us what true class and resilience look like, as Magic Johnson so aptly stated in a video clip shared that evening. Throughout the event, Julius had the audience laughing, reflecting, and sometimes even teary-eyed, as he shared poignant stories from his remarkable life.
In addition to the heartfelt conversation, Julius signed a few ABA basketballs for donors and sponsors, and graciously took photos with local basketball teams, the Boys To Men group, and the Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity, Inc., who hosted the VIP reception before the event. The night continued with a dinner where Julius let, "Jody," wear his 1993 NBA Hall of Fame ring—an unforgettable moment for everyone present.
We are truly grateful for the photos taken by Joe Jackson, Jr. and Dominic Ortega and Trevor Davies and Alfredo Prince of COX communications for video-taping the event. The presentation was run by Jenny Li for AAMSAZ.
Thank you, Tucson, for your incredible support of this event. It was a night to remember, and we are deeply grateful for the opportunity to share such a special experience with our community.
Thank you, Tucson and Southern Arizona for your support!
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Enjoy…
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The Gem Shows African Village with beads, clothing and more!
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Watch The Six Triple Eight with Kerry Washington and Oprah Winfrey on Netflix!
Read and purchase a book by an African American author (local too) See below!
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Try a little soul food
Purchase music and art By African American Artists
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Automated Presort Services and Digital Print will serve as the Title Sponsor for the 2025 Connections that Count Merchant & Mission-Focused Marketplace!
We could not plan and put together this community event without their support and generosity. Because of this local Tucson business no vendor or booth registration fees will be required and each participating vendor will receive 100% of their profits.
This is what 'A Better Community' (ABC) is all about.We cannot wait to
connect with you for Tucson's Black History Month Kick-Off Event!
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We are proud of Award Winning and local Authors
Adiba Nelson and Marquez Price!
The African American Museum of Arizona supports and partners with local authors!
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Join our Partners - Broadway in Tucson
or a few wonderful performances!
STOMP
February 4 & 5 at 7:30 PM
Centennial Hall
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Hidden Voices – It’s Time to be Heard
We are looking for anyone who knows family or friends as we work to complete another exhibition! The original project initiated by Dr. Harry Lawson and his students at the University of Arizona in 1988 with a follow up interview on several people in 1991. This project holds invaluable historical information regarding the African American experience and presence in Southern Arizona. Instructor Gloria Smith worked with the Arizona Historical Society and added information from her research and interns to the project.
Over 15 written/typed historical reports and oral histories of pioneers, cowboys, soldiers, educators, aviators, and community leaders, this project sheds light on the rich heritage and contributions of Tucson's African American community. Despite their profound impact on the region's development, much of this history has remained hidden from broader awareness – or as they say…in plain sight… on a dormant website known as “In Your Parents Eyes” housed at the University of Arizona. We were gifted the information but would like to find out more.
We NEED your help!
Do you know where we can find family or friends and or photos of….??
Pioneers: Charley Embers, Thomas Grant, Dave Lucas, Henry Ransom
Educators: Elmer Carrier and Irene George
Military: John Robert Carter, Richard Holt, Col. Rueben Horner III, Frank Reed
Medical: Dr. Floyd Thompson
Others: Roy Comeaux, Clarence Francis, Willie Ernestine Hall-Fears,
Blanche Johnson, Lettie Moore, Rev. John Ward, Jessie Martin Washington
If you can help - have a photo, know the story, or a relative, please contact us at: www.aamuseumofsouthernaz@gmail.com
Thank you!
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Chrys Martin
We are excited to welcome Chrys. She will be learning about curatorship, historical research and museum operations as a whole. She is currently a Junior, W.A. Franke Honors student, and dual major in History and French. She is pursuing a certificate in Caribbean Studies under the school of Africana Studies.
William Good
William actually started with us as intern in October. He walked into the museum and wanted to work. William is a dedicated and organized history student at the University of Arizona with a passion for museum work, public education, and historical preservation. He is always eager to contribute his skills in communication, research, and visitor engagement.
Will Martin
Will was a volunteer with UA Special Collections and this past semester with AAMSAZ. Will helped to digitize items in the AAMSAZ collection. She is an undergrad senior at the U of A with a double major in Anthropology and History. She is working toward completing a BA and hopes to work in a museum or doing fieldwork post-graduation.
Janae Jackson
Janae is a senior transfer student at the University of Arizona studying Film & Television & Communications. She is driven by a passion for storytelling – oral history and legacy stories focus for AAMSAZ - and a desire to create authentic, impactful narratives. Her inspiration is none other than Shonda Rhimes. As a senior she has already worked with Destination Arizona and AI productions.
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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. | | |
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Help Get this Bill Passed
Please support SB 1017, which will provide $359,700 appropriated annually from the state general fund starting in the 2026 fiscal year to the Arizona Historical Society for maintenance and operations of the Pioneer Museum in Flagstaff. The bill also allows the Arizona Historical Society to create four new staff positions to facilitate the museum’s reopening after 5 years of being closed.
The Pioneer Museum tells the stories of Flagstaff and northern Arizona history. Housed in a former Coconino County hospital built in 1908, the museum contains artifacts from the region’s history and is a must-see destination for locals and visitors alike. The museum is surrounded by beautiful, wooded grounds, which are home to not just the Pioneer Museum but also other buildings and artifacts, like the 1929 Baldwin locomotive that has been used in the region for logging.
To find your State Senator’s contact information go to: https://www.azleg.gov/memberroster/
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Blues in the Night
Our collaborators ATC are sharing music from some of the greatest musicians of all time!
A musical celebration of the blues and its influence on American music, this toe-tapping revue weaves the stories of three women and one man as they navigate love, heartbreak, and rebirth. Set in 1930s Chicago, this emotionally uplifting story features 26 of the hottest numbers by blues and jazz icons like Bessie Smith, Johnny Mercer, Harold Arlen, Duke Ellington, Billy Strayhorn, Ida Cox, and Benny Goodman, to name a few.
Come and celebrate a uniquely American music genre on this powerful and uplifting journey through the hearts of four of the country’s best crooners, a live band, and a soundtrack by an array of America’s greatest composers.
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Update on Legacy Stories and Oral Histories
We are catching up on legacy stories that were taped over the summer and in particular the one recorded by Board Members of the University of Arizona’s Black Community Council (BCC) featuring AAMSAZ Board members Styne Hill, Daisy Jenkins and Richard Davis about the history of the BCC! Truly informative!
We are passionate about gathering these stories, oftentimes told for the first time, so that they are preserved and so that they are shared with you!
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Connections in Life!
I am excited that these histories often connect us with family’s who didn’t know each other. This is a shout out to Janet Harmon Braggs family who contacted me to connect with an oral history they found on our website! The Legacy Story we have online allowed a group to contact us regarding the Harmon-Braggs. Ms. Harmon-Bragg will be inducted into The Women’s Aviation Hall of Fame. We immediately contacted Clarence Harper who is her great nephew and we so proud we were able to connect the Hall of Fame to family to be present for the induction.
Thank you, Marshall Grant, TEP (Wendy and Shae-Lynn), COX (Trevor and Alfredo), our Legacy Founding Investors, African American Legacy Fund, Beach Fleischman, The Avant Family, The Li Family, and our Board of Directors!
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The State of Black Arizona (SBAZ), is committed to addressing the critical social injustices and disparities and various outcomes that disproportionately affect Black families in Arizona.
As part of this mission check out the many ways they help our state and ways you can help their programs!
Thank you, Teniqua Broughton!
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Family of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Responds to Declassification of Assassination Records
The family of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. has issued a public statement via social media in response to Donald Trump’s recent decision to declassify records related to the assassination of their father over 50 years ago.
In his order, Trump also called for the release of documents connected to the assassinations of former President John F. Kennedy and presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy.
Trump has instructed top officials to prepare the release of files related to King’s assassination within 45 days. It is uncertain exactly when the public will have access to the documents.
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Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson’s Collar at the 2025 Inauguration
On Inauguration Day, Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson wore a striking collar with matching earrings made of cowrie shells over her black robe. Historically, cowrie shells served as currency in many ancient cultures, but they held special significance in many African cultures, as they stood for protection and prosperity.
In the United States, the National Museum of African American History and Culture notes that cowrie shells were also seen as a totem used in the resistance to enslavement. As a descendant of enslaved people, Justice Jackson’s choice of jewelry carries personal and historical meaning.
The moment felt especially poignant, coinciding with Martin Luther King Jr. Day, which only once before aligned with a presidential inauguration of Bill Clinton in 1997.
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Former President Jimmy Carter Laid to Rest
In January, we lost an American icon as we reflect on the life and legacy of former President Jimmy Carter—a distinguished leader, steadfast advocate for world peace, and dedicated humanitarian.
President Carter passed away at his home in Plains, Georgia, as confirmed by his son. He was the longest-lived former President in our nation’s history. His wife, Rosalynn Carter, preceded him in death, passing away in November 2023 at the age of 96. He is survived by their four children and several grandchildren.
Carter, originally a peanut farmer and the governor of Georgia, served as the 39th President of the United States from 1977 to 1981 after defeating incumbent President Gerald Ford in the 1976 election. His campaign focused on restoring the trust of the American people following the fallout from the Watergate scandal.
As we remember President Carter’s life and legacy, we honor his unwavering commitment to service, peace, and the betterment of humanity.
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Farewell President Biden...
but did you know…
President Joe Biden has made history by appointing 233 federal judges during his presidency, a significant number of whom are people of color. This achievement makes him the first president to nominate the highest number of judges from diverse racial backgrounds.
NBC News reports that on December 9, the Senate confirmed Tiffany Johnson, Biden’s latest nominee for the Northern District of Georgia, marking the 40th Black woman appointed to a lifetime federal judgeship under his administration—surpassing any previous president in a single term.
According to data from the White House, approximately 60% of President Biden’s judicial appointees are people of color. On December 12, the Senate Judiciary Committee is scheduled to review two additional nominees for U.S. district judge, Benjamin Cheeks and Serena Raquel Murillo. If Cheeks is confirmed, President Biden will have appointed 63 Black federal judges, setting a new record for the most Black federal judges appointed by any president in U.S. history, according to the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights.
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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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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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Sign Up for Tours and Visits
Wednesday - Saturday
10 AM to 4 PM
Friday
10 AM to 3 PM
Tours or visits to the AAMSAZ are by appointment only. 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. | |
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Find AAMSAZ on Facebook and Twitter.
Use #aamsaz and #aams_AZ on your social media posts.
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