AAMSAZ Updates from the E.D. March 2024

OUTSIDE OUR WALLS

Since celebrating our 1-year anniversary on January 14, 2024, we are filled with gratitude for the widespread interest in the museum. Requests for tours were pouring in from across the country and throughout our home state, leading us to engage with a diverse array of audiences, including schools, a gala, U of A Departments, Tucson City Council members, Junior Colleges, and various organizations and businesses. Our team of interns, volunteers, advisory board and board members have actively participated in panel discussions, provided interviews on the radio and television, and been featured in numerous magazines and articles.

• In January, we had the pleasure of welcoming and educating 327 individuals through tours and presentations. 
• As we commemorated Black History Month throughout February, the momentum grew. As of February 24, 2024, we have had the privilege of connecting with an astounding 1,175 individuals!

We are delighted that so many wanted to learn about the rich tapestry of stories and experiences that define the museum's mission.

 As we look beyond our physical walls, we are deeply encouraged by the enthusiasm and support we have received.

This journey of outreach and engagement reinforces our commitment to preserving and sharing the diverse cultural heritage of African Americans in Southern Arizona, and we eagerly anticipate continuing this journey with all who seek to explore and celebrate our shared history. Thank you for your support!

It's also a time to recognize the ongoing struggles and triumphs of women worldwide. Women's History Month encourages us to engage in meaningful discussions about the challenges women have faced and continue to face, as well as the incredible strides they've made against all odds.

Mrs. Quincie Douglas, a community activist in the South Park Neighborhood since 1947, facilitated the establishment of various essential services for low-income residents, including a food program and the LIFTS program, which later evolved into the Van Tran bus service, all of which continue to operate today.

Mrs. Margaret Campbell, Arizona's first female African American novelist, published "Iba the Dawn" in 1912, available in UA Special Collections. Living in the South Park neighborhood, she resided in an underground home at Santa Rita and 29th Street, which she constructed herself and spoke five languages, offering piano lessons to local children; her niece, Cornelia, from Georgia, shared this remarkable story with the museum.

Learn about the stories of Quincie Douglas and Margaret Campbell at AAMSAZ.

• https://www.aamsaz.org/two-women-who-did/

So, as we commemorate Women's History Month, let's take the time to learn, celebrate, and support the incredible women who have shaped our past, present, and future. Let's honor their legacies and continue working toward a world where gender equity is not just a dream but a reality for all.

•  Let’s remember and honor our mothers, aunts, tias, nana’s, grandma’s and friends!

Janet Harmon Bragg spent the majority of her life encouraging blacks to become active in aviation.

She was an active pilot for over 35 years, earned Commercial Pilot License, and logged over 2,000 flying hours. 

Learn about the story of Janet Harmon Bragg at AAMSAZ, the first black woman to receive a commercial pilot’s license in the USA.

• https://www.aamsaz.org/janet-harmon-bragg/

In Community,

Beverely Elliott, Executive Director

African American Museum of Southern Arizona (AAMSAZ)

“We are a movement, not just a museum.”

Broadway in Tucson Presents: MJ

Tickets are going Fast

April 2 – 7, 2024, 7:30 – 11:30 PM

Centennial Hall, 1020 E University Blvd, Tucson, AZ

MJ, the groundbreaking musical, is the collaborative masterpiece of Tony Award®-winning Director/Choreographer Christopher Wheeldon and two-time Pulitzer Prize winner Lynn Nottage.

• Delving far beyond the iconic moves and distinctive sounds of the Legendary Michael Jackson, this production offers a rare glimpse into the visionary creativity and unified effort that propelled him to world wide acclaim.

Set to premiere at Centennial Hall in Tucson this April,

MJ promises to ignite audiences with its innovative approach.

The creative brilliance behind MJ extends to its esteemed team, boasting

• Scenic Design by Derek McLane, a Tony and two-time Emmy Award winner.
• Lighting Design is orchestrated by Natasha Katz, a seven-time Tony Award recipient, while Costume Design is helmed by Paul Tazewell, a Tony and Emmy Award-winner.
• Sound Design is crafted by Gareth Owen, a Tony Award-winning maestro, with
• Projection Design by Peter Nigrini, a two-time Tony Award nominee.
• Charles LaPointe, a two-time Emmy Award nominee, brings his expertise to Hair & Wig Design.



Completing this formidable lineup are David Holcenberg, overseeing Musical Supervision, and Jason Michael Webb, a Tony Award winner, orchestrating and arranging alongside Holcenberg.

Webb also takes the reins as Music Director, ensuring the sonic landscape of MJ resonates with unparalleled vibrancy.

Hope you received our Black History Monday Moments ?

If you missed them, here is the link to read through them! We shared numerous wonderful events that we organized, collaborated on, and participated in Black History Month.

Outstanding Volunteer Mingde Li and Executive Director Beverely Elliott tried their hands at offering a live virtual tour for the Best Western team's national office and employees. This was an upgrade from previous attempts, thanks to the purchase of new equipment. Although it is not something we will do regularly, because we would like visitors at the museum, it was worth a try during Black History Month.

Banned Book Club: 

All Boys Aren't Blue

Thursday, March 14th at 6:00 PM

TJMHC 564 S. Stone Ave. & on Zoom

Tucson Jewish Museum & Holocaust Center

Register here for this free event

Join Tucson Jewish Museum & Holocaust Center — in person or on Zoom — for a discussion of George M. Johnson’s “memoir-manifesto,” featuring essays on various elements of their queer Black experience(s).

We will meet at 6 PM for a moderated conversation.

This event is free but registration is required.

The Tucson Festival of Books will be here in our beautiful desert at the University of Arizona. Check out

Dr. Amwana Shields - Astrobiologist

Vishanti Harrison - New York Best seller ...and Many More!

There will be book signings, panels discussions, special events where literacy lovers can come together, meet your favorite authors, and discover new resources! All of this on the University of Arizona Mall.

Festival admission is free,

but many of the popular author events require advance tickets.

The Museum is open during the Book Festival!

Join "Dad & Me" on March 2, 2024, at 2 PM,

as the Social Justice Committee of GTMBC presents

In this heartfelt production, Marie navigates the challenges of caring for her father's Alzheimer's. The story unfolds with poignant moments, highlighting the complexities of relationships and memory. 

• Don't miss this unique portrayal of life's twists and turns—where moments become memories.

One show only!

All seats are $22.

The Berger Performing Arts Center, 

1200 W. Speedway Blvd., 

Tucson, AZ 85745

25th Anniversary and Scholarship

Awards Dinner!

Hosted by The Greater Southern Arizona Area Chapter (GSAAC)

of the 9th and 10th (Horse) Cavalry Association!

By providing scholarships to graduating seniors who have achieved academically, are active in their community, and aspire to go on to higher education, we are fulfilling our vision of creating an equitable future for all.

You can donate or purchase a sponsorship online at http://www.eeftucson.org/legacy

or mail a check see the information below. Thank you for your support.

Please make a check payable to: 

Education Enrichment Foundation 

5049 East Broadway Boulevard, Suite 107 Tucson, Arizona 85711

In the memo line, indicate: A Legacy of Excellence Scholarship. 

• Note: Education Enrichment Foundation is a 501 3c.

We encourage you to join UArizona BIO5 Institute for the KEYS Alumni Showcase and Fireside Chats (5-6:30 p.m.), where you can engage with our vibrant community of scientists. They will also be hosting laboratory tours with our BIO5 researchers.

Tour spots are limited to ensure a memorable experience. To secure your place on one of our lab tours, you can register at https://bio5.org/behind-bio5

Registration is not required for the KEYS showcase or fireside chats

We look forward to welcoming you for an unforgettable BIO5 Experience and an evening of scientific excellence with our community!

Learn about the critical need for blood donations to support sickle cell disease patients in Arizona.

Learn about the critical need for blood donations to support sickle cell disease patients in Arizona. With only a one- to two-day supply of donated blood, these patients rely on regular transfusions to manage their condition and alleviate severe pain. Discover firsthand accounts from individuals like Tosin Ola, a registered nurse and founder of Sickle Cell Warriors, who emphasizes the lifesaving impact of blood donation.

Join the effort to maintain a diverse blood supply and make a difference in the lives of those affected by sickle cell disease.

Read more by the link to the Arizona Daily Star article below.

Mark your calendars for these exciting Rodeo:

• Jun 1: Shelbyville, Tennessee
• Jun 8: Jacksonville, Florida

Come on out:

• Aug 30-31: Scottsdale, Arizona
• Oct 11-12: Las Vegas, Nevada

But wait, there's more! Don't miss out on these additional rodeos:

• May 25: Jackson, Mississippi
• Jul 12: Bakersfield, California
• Aug 9-10: Okmulgee, Oklahoma

The Dunbar Coalition is hosting a Golf Tournament in Honor of

Cressworth C. Lander

Saturday, May 18, 2024

Tucson's Dell Urich Golf Course

Seeking Sponsors and Door Prizes

Call 520-406-4633

Traci Hockett

Or visit:

https://thedunbartucson.org/events/2024/5/18/cresswo

Efforts to pass federal legislation addressing lynching date back to the early 20th century, but faced significant opposition, particularly from Southern lawmakers who sought to preserve racial segregation and uphold the status quo. Despite numerous attempts, no federal anti-lynching legislation was successfully passed for decades. 

• This legislation became effective in March 2022, and it addresses the scourge of lynching, marking a crucial step forward in the ongoing struggle for racial justice and equality in America.

Ida B. Wells, 1893

Ida B. Wells (Barrett) was not only a prominent Civil Rights activist but also an investigative journalist whose life took a profound turn on March 9, 1892. It was on this fateful day that three of her close friends, successful businessmen, fell victim to a brutal lynching in Tennessee. Their crime? Merely daring to open a grocery store in proximity to their white competitors. In the aftermath of this atrocity, Wells fearlessly condemned the injustice in her writings, only to face retaliation in the form of the destruction of her newspaper office and numerous threats to her life.

Her courageous stance against such flagrant acts of violence didn't stop there. Wells tirelessly worked to raise public awareness about the widespread lynching of African Americans across the South.

Recognizing the urgent need for reform, she journeyed to Washington, DC, in 1898, where she personally presented information to President William McKinley to take decisive action against lynching and the pervasive discrimination accompanying it.

The anti-lynching movement emerged as a pivotal political force in the United States during this period, fueled by the relentless efforts of activists like Ms. Wells. 

• This movement, which peaked between the 1890s and 1930s, was dedicated to eradicating the practice of lynching, wherein individuals or groups execute someone without regard for whether they have committed any crime.

Significantly, the culmination of these efforts led to the eventual introduction of anti-lynching legislation. 

Photo of Dale Libengood’s painting

African American Musuem of Southern Arizona Current Exhibition

The Emmett Till Anti-lynching Act is a United States federal law which defines lynching as a federal hate crime, increasing the maximum penalty to 30 years imprisonment offences.

Effective: March 29, 2022

Enacted by: the 117th United States Congress

Long title: To amend section 249 of title 18, United States Code, to specify lynching as a hate crime

Public law: Pub. L.Tooltip Public Law (United States) 117–107 (text) (PDF)

U.S.C. sections amended: 18 U.S.C. § 249

Stephanie Wilson has been assigned to the SpaceX Crew-9 Space Station mission.

• A veteran of three spaceflights, STS-121, STS-120, and STS-131, Wilson spent 42 days in space aboard three separate space shuttle Discovery missions.
• She earned her bachelor’s degree in engineering science from Harvard University and a master’s degree in aerospace engineering from the University of Texas in Austin. Stephanie worked at Martin Marietta and NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California.
• During her first mission, STS-121, in November 2004, she and her crewmates spent 13 days in orbit. Wilson served as the robotic arm operator for spacecraft inspection, for the installation of the “Leonardo” Multi-Purpose Logistics Module, and for spacewalk support.
• In November 2006, Wilson and her STS-120 crewmates aboard Discovery delivered the Harmony module to the station and relocated a solar array.
• She has earned many other accolades. She is a member of the Gulf Coast Apollo (TX) Chapter of the Links, Incorporated #WALinks #LinksInc #linksinthenews

Dr. Blackstock - Leading the Charge for Health Equity

Dr. Blackstock is the founder and CEO of Advancing Health Equity. She is a regular medical contributor for MSNBC, and legislators across the country have used her research and knowledge as a basis for policy changes. A powerful speaker, Dr. Blackstock, talks to organizations across the country about the deep inequities that still exist in the U.S. healthcare system and the leap of faith she took to start a business.

https://advancinghealthequity.com/about/

• Imprisonment for a period of up to two years.
• Concurrently, Idaho also implemented a law forbidding interracial cohabitation, punishable by fines ranging from $100 to $500,
• Imprisonment for six to 12 months, or both.
• In 1867, amendments expanded the range of fines and elevated the maximum prison sentence to 10 years.

The 1921 amendment extended the prohibition, forbidding marriage between white individuals and individuals identified as "Mongolians, negroes, or mulattoes." It's noteworthy that African Americans constituted less than 0.02% of Idaho's population at that time. However, despite the sparse presence of African Americans in the state, Idaho's legislature continued to enforce stringent racial restrictions. Ultimately, the anti-miscegenation law was repealed in 1959.



Idaho's actions were not isolated; they reflected a broader national trend—Arkansas, Mississippi, Texas, and others - aimed at impeding interracial marriages.

Beyoncé Makes History as

First African American Woman to TOP

Billboard's Country Music Chart

In a groundbreaking moment, Beyoncé, the iconic superstar, has etched her name in the annals of music history once again. This time, she has become the first African American woman to claim the coveted top spot on Billboard's Country Music Chart.

The Grammy-winning artist accomplished this remarkable feat with her latest single, "Texas Hold 'Em," soaring to No. 1 on the country airplay chart. Released on February 11th, amid the electrifying atmosphere of the Super Bowl, this track, along with her other single, "16 Carriages," which debuted at an impressive No. 9 on the same chart, marks a significant milestone in her illustrious career.

Anticipation mounts as both songs are slated to be featured on Beyoncé's forthcoming country-themed album, dubbed "Act ii," scheduled for release on March 29th. This album serves as a follow-up to her highly acclaimed 2022 release, "Renaissance," often referred to as "Act I: Renaissance."

Beyoncé on the Renaissance World Tour at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London on June 1, 2023

Source: BeyonceSpurs010623 (10 of 118)

The revelation of the new album came hot on the heels of a Verizon commercial starring Beyoncé, which aired during the Super Bowl, stirring excitement among fans and music enthusiasts alike.

A Historic Note: Beyoncé's ascent to the top of the country music chart also marks her as the first woman to achieve this distinction on both the Hot Country Songs and Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs charts since their inception in 1958, according to Billboard. She joins the ranks of esteemed artists like Justin Bieber, Billy Ray Cyrus, and Ray Charles, who have achieved similar dual chart-topping success.

Our Legacy Founder Investors

Thank you to our

Legacy Founder Investors (LFI)

COX, TEP,

Elliott Family Charity, Zuckerman Family Foundation,

We welcome

The Lohse Family / Mooney Foundation as a new LFI

For your unwavering support! 

A Bench on the U of Arizona Campus for

U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson

The Women's Plaza of Honor is a truly peaceful place. If you have not visited, stop by or visit online at Women's Plaza of Honor and African American Women’s Arch. 

Did you know that there will be a bench that will be on the plaza that honors former

Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg?

Women and Gender Studies (U of A's WGS), in collaboration with AAMSAZ, are working toward securing a bench to be placed on the Women’s Plaza of Honor in tribute to 

Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson!

We could use your help!

Make a Gift!

• She is the first African American woman to sit on the U.S. Supreme Court. Help us raise the $15,000 for the bench in her honor.
• Any amount helps, and you can also purchase a sponsorship for an engraved tile with your organization's or family's name or a simple design.
• Please go to our website and be sure to note that your donation is for the Ketanji Brown Jackson Bench. Thank you!

Our Website:

AAMSAZ.org

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.

General Admission to the museum is free. 

Please consider Making a Donation in any amount. Thank you!

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