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June is Here! Can you believe it?
It feels like the year is flying by, and I can hardly believe it's already June! May was such a whirlwind—filled with the end of the school year, graduations, promotions (especially for kinder, 8th grade, HS and College), vacations, summer jobs, interviews and YES!! We hired a director and hope to have another employee on board soon. It seems like just yesterday we were ringing in the New Year.
One of the highlights of May for me was attending the University of Arizona Black graduation ceremony hosted by AASA (African American Student Association). It was incredibly moving to witness so many proud, accomplished graduates. Family, friends and the UA Faculty and staff applauded them as they stepped into the next chapter of their lives. A special thank you to my friend and author, Adiba Nelson, but also a big thank you to Dr.s Jamaica DelMar and Dr. Jenna Hatcher for inviting me to participate. It was an honor and so inspiring to announce the awards for UA outstanding African American students. I must say watching our students STROLL was uplifting and even those who did their own thing as they received their STOLLS was the best!
Looking Ahead to June...
June brings a variety of special days and celebrations, including:
- Father’s Day
- Summer Solstice
- National Best Friends Day
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National Donut Day (or National Doughnut Day.. however you spell it!)
- National Flag Week
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Pride Month. This is a time to reflect on the ongoing fight for civil rights and equality for the LGBTQI+ community and ALL communities.
But perhaps most importantly, Juneteenth is a momentous occasion on June 19th, marking the emancipation of enslaved African Americans. It is a day of remembrance and celebration of freedom. Our local Tucson Juneteenth Festival Committee has partnered with many wonderful organizations – including us - to offer a full calendar of events for this important holiday. Stay tuned for more details!
Here’s to a meaningful, safe, and joyful June ahead! 🌞The museum will close early on June 14th to attend the Juneteenth Festival…come on out!
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JUNETEENTH FESTIVAL COMMITTEE CELEBRATIONS
June 7th Come on out the Kick Off of Juneteenth at the
UA Football Stadium’s Fellowship Hall! 4 – 6 PM
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Remembering Clarence Boykins:
A Local Icon and AAMSAZ Oral Historian
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It is with heavy hearts that we share the passing of Clarence Boykins, a true local legend. Our deepest condolences go out to his family, friends, and all who were touched by his warmth and leadership. Clarence was a master at fostering unity and peace, and his legacy will live on through his many contributions.
In 1992, Clarence, alongside Larry Hecker, played a crucial role in Arizona becoming the first state to officially vote and establish Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. As part of the “Victory Together Team,” he led the "get out the vote" efforts, rallying key figures like Raul Grijalva, Glenn Miller, Ruben Reyes, and Art Eckstrom for grassroots support.
| | Clarence also worked tirelessly to bring Rosa Parks to Tucson and served as the President of the Southern Arizona Black Chamber of Commerce, following Mike Butler’s leadership. He was an inspiration to many, especially in public service, and will be profoundly missed by all who knew him. We are so grateful that he shared his story with AAMSAZ a few years back. As most of you know, he was dressed to impress as always! Rest in peace, Clarence. | | |
Cooking Traditions at Mission Garden
June 21 from 5-7PM
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Garden-to-Table: Cooking Traditions from the African Diaspora
Join us for an evening of community cooking and storytelling rooted in African American food traditions. This workshop will be led by Stephanie Daniel and Sidney Engs, along with Mission Garden volunteers and members of the Africa in the Americas Garden committee.
Together, they’ll prepare and share a meal using ingredients grown in the Africa in the Americas Garden, celebrating generations of food traditions from across the African diaspora and their deep roots in Tucson. Learn how these traditional foods connect us to land, culture, community, and memory.
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Candice Hammons, who shared with the museum… A Slave Story about her enslaved ancestor has written another book on the life of her Father. As an author she is truly passionate about her family and their history. I hope you will read and be inspired to research your own family history! | | | | A Special Evening with Dr. Henry Louis Gates, Jr. | | |
We extend our heartfelt thanks to the UA Black Speaker Series for bringing the legendary Dr. Henry Louis Gates, Jr. to Tucson. His visit was a profound and uplifting experience, offering a powerful lesson in history, identity, and discovery... he also mixed in a little humor!
Before his main presentation, Dr. Gates met with students and later joined a reception where guests received copies of his latest book, The Black Box, and had the rare opportunity to speak with him personally. We were one of the lucky ones!
On stage, Dr. Gates shared his personal journey—one that began at just nine years old when he first started asking questions about his family’s lineage. That curiosity led him to uncover stories and photos from his own family. This became a passion and, evolved into the creation of the acclaimed PBS series Finding Your Roots, now the most-watched show on the PBS network.
He recounted how music icon Quincy Jones connected him with Oprah Winfrey, setting off a chain of high-profile guests and memorable discoveries that made the show a cultural phenomenon. Through video clips and heartfelt narratives, Dr. Gates illustrated how DNA testing has helped many guests uncover long-lost family members and debunk generational myths.
One of the most powerful moments came when he described learning about his own family tree during an episode of his show—a deeply personal experience for him and with that he emphasized the importance of knowing where we come from.
Dr. Gates left us with a meaningful message: understanding your roots is key to understanding yourself. He encouraged us all to explore our family histories and honor those who came before us, because their stories are a vital part of our own.
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Come on out and Celebrate with
Ashley and the Community
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Seed Saving Social Mission Garden
Wednesdays, 1:00-3:00 pm
946 W Mission Lane, Tucson
Looking for a way to stay cool, connect with friends, and support the preservation of heritage crops? Come join us in the shade during these hot summer days as we process, clean, and package the many seeds harvested from Mission Garden’s heirloom varieties.
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AZPM presents a virtual Screening of
"Juneteenth: Faith and Freedom"
Tuesday, June 17th 6 – 8 PM
Join AZPM for a virtual screening of this powerful film followed by a discussion led by Larry Starks, President of the Tucson Juneteenth Board.
JUNETEENTH: FAITH & FREEDOM this film follows the journey of a black man who is troubled by the legacy of American slavery and the misuse of Christianity to justify it. He travels throughout Texas and discovers how the Juneteenth holiday reveals a resilient hope that empowered the formerly enslaved and their descendants to fight for freedom in an often-unjust society.
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Congressional Gold Medal© Rod Lamkey
Congressional Gold Medal Honors “Six Triple Eight” Unit
The "Six Triple Eight," the only African American, all-female unit to serve in Europe during WWII, was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal after a long campaign for recognition. The 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion played a pivotal role in resolving a mail crisis in England, clearing 17 million pieces in just three months—twice as fast as expected.
The unit’s efforts were long overlooked, but their legacy has now been celebrated. House Speaker Mike Johnson presented the medal to Lt. Col. Charity Adams (Earley) family in a ceremony attended by over 300 descendants. The 6888th also served in France before returning home as trailblazers for future African American women in the military.
The women worked in three shifts, processing 65,000 pieces of mail daily, using a system of locator cards to ensure accurate deliveries. Their remarkable service continues to inspire generations.
Sources: AP News, Congressional Gold Medal Ceremony
Six Triple Eight Congressional Medal© Department of Defense
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Image Source: Librarian of Congress
Trump Fires Librarian of Congress: First African American and Female to be in this role!
In a move that has sparked widespread dismay, President Trump recently dismissed Dr. Carla Hayden, the first woman and first African American to serve as the Librarian of Congress.
The American Library Association swiftly condemned this action, calling her dismissal “unjust.” Once again, it feels as though Trump is systematically removing individuals and positions connected to people who represent diversity and inclusion whether or not they are qualified for their jobs.
The American Association for State and Local History (AASLH) was privileged to have Dr. Hayden as one of their keynote roundtable speakers at the 250th Anniversary of the Declaration of Independence conference earlier this year, where she delivered insightful contributions.
Trump named Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche as the acting Librarian of Congress. However, the library’s staff is now recognizing Robert Newlen, the principal deputy librarian, as the acting librarian until official direction is provided by Congress.
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Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson speaks to the 2025 Supreme Court Fellows Program, Feb. 13, 2025, at the Library of Congress in Washington. | Jacquelyn Martin/AP By JOSH GERSTEIN 05/01/2025 09:07 PM EDT
Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson Strongly Condemns Trump’s Attacks on Judges
In a powerful statement, Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson has unapologetically condemned the vicious attacks by President Donald Trump and his allies on judges who have blocked key policies from his administration. Speaking at a judges’ conference in Puerto Rico on February 13, 2025, Jackson addressed the “elephant in the room” – the escalating threats and harassment judges have faced from Trump and his supporters.
Justice Jackson highlighted the severity of the situation, asserting that these attacks are not random but part of a deliberate campaign to intimidate judges who are performing their constitutional duties. She emphasized that the threats against the judiciary are not merely personal attacks on individuals but direct assaults on the very foundations of our democracy. As she pointed out, "The threats and harassment are attacks on our democracy, on our system of government. And they ultimately risk undermining our Constitution and the rule of law."
Justice Jackson’s remarks underscore the urgency of addressing this alarming trend. Her call for judicial independence and courage is a reminder that judges must not be swayed by external pressures but instead stand firm in their commitment to justice, regardless of political consequences. She urged her colleagues to continue “doing what is right for our country” and expressed confidence that history will ultimately vindicate their commitment to the Constitution.
In these trying times, Justice Jackson’s bold stand is a necessary affirmation of the critical role the judiciary plays in upholding the principles of fairness, justice, and the rule of law. As she warned, any attempt to weaken or intimidate the judiciary threatens the core of our democracy, and it is imperative that the legal community and citizens alike stand united in defense of an independent judiciary.
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Photo: Getty Images Colman Domingo in Valentino
Exciting News: Met Gala Breaks New Ground with Exclusive Focus on Black Men’s Fashion
For the first time in its history, the Met Gala in New York is shining a spotlight on Black men and their fashion — celebrating their style, creativity, elegance, and versatility in full force. Vogue live-streamed the star-studded event, where around 500 guests, all dressed as living works of art, made their mark on the fashion world.
Inspired by the 2009 bestselling book Slaves to Fashion: Black Dandyism and the Styling of Black Diasporic Identity by Monica L. Miller, this year’s theme, “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style,” opens a powerful platform for Black men to showcase their globally influential and diverse (ok so I said diverse!) fashion on the red carpet.
As Miller explains in a YouTube video for Vogue’s Met Gala coverage, "Black style is really about how fashion and power are connected. It’s about how people choose to style themselves in response to their own agency." Miller, who also curated the Costume Institute’s spring exhibit at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, is bringing Black Dandyism (which goes back to the Harlem Renaissance from 1918 to the mid-1930’s) into the spotlight, emphasizing its historical and cultural significance.
The evening was co-chaired by iconic figures including Pharrell Williams, Coleman Domingo, Lewis Hamilton, and ASAP Rocky, with NBA superstar LeBron James serving as an honorary co-chair. With these fashion-forward leaders at the helm, the question becomes: who can outdress these men?
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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!
| | | | 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 (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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Hours of Operation
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10 AM to 4 PM
Friday
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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.
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