|
Hello AAMSAZ Community,
It is with great joy and gratitude that I introduce myself as the new Director of the African American Museum of Southern Arizona. These first few weeks have been a whirlwind—in the best way possible! I've had the privilege of connecting with a wide range of people dedicated to supporting our mission, including members of the University of Arizona leadership teams, the UA Foundation, and our vibrant community partners. Working alongside Beverely, and our amazing team mapping our strategic plan for the year ahead, focusing on boosting our brand awareness and membership, and creating a plan of action for the Camp Naco grant we received which will focus on A Taste of African American History has been wonderful and there is much more to come.
A special thank you to the Tucson Juneteenth Festival Committee for curating a powerful, month-long celebration of Juneteenth. I’ve also had the honor of engaging with leaders from A Better Community, Tucson Unified School District, several incredible professors, and so many others committed to uplifting African American history and culture in Southern Arizona.
It’s also been inspiring to work alongside our phenomenal interns—William, Janaé, Chrys, and our newest intern, Joshua, a History major with a minor in Latin American Studies. Joshua is currently working on a compelling project focused on mapping racist covenants in the region, and we are excited to support his important research. ( Joshua is picture with me above.)
Of course, none of this would be possible without our dedicated volunteers. Rose and Jamie have been the heart and soul of AAMSAZ since its inception. Their wisdom, passion, and time continue to shape the museum into the community treasure it is today.
Every day, I am reminded of our powerful tagline: “We are a movement, not just a museum.” From guiding visitors through our exhibits to hearing them say, “I didn’t know that,” the joy of discovery and learning is palpable. It reaffirms why we do this work—and why it matters.
I’m deeply honored to serve in this role, and I look forward to building and growing alongside each of you. This is just the beginning.
Warmly,
Nikieia
Director, African American Museum of Southern Arizona
| 
