|
Honoring Heritage • Celebrating Community • Giving Thanks
Each visit, each donation, each word you leave with us, and each shared story strengthens the roots of our community and helps us continue preserving and sharing African American history and culture.
| |
|
So Thankful and Grateful...for you!
This month, we look back with gratitude and forward with excitement planning new exhibitions, educational programs, and events that bring our mission to life.
As you gather with loved ones and celebrate the holiday season, know that
we are grateful for you, our supporters, visitors, and friends
who continue to walk beside us on this journey.
With heartfelt thanks,
| | | |
It's Not Just About Remembering.
It's About Our Future.
| |
|
This museum isn't just about remembering the past.
It's about showing us how we can make tomorrow better, how we can keep pushing boundaries, and how we can create a world where everybody's story is celebrated.
When we were first asked about Black history, we thought, "Where's this place to research, to learn about Black people here in Tucson or the Southwest?"
We are proud to be that place.
This museum is about people who have used their
voices and actions to be better and start change.
From a Spark to a Community Movement
Kids have ideas, too. Sometimes these ideas are really inspirational, and with the right people, they can become a big thing.
This museum started with an idea, believed in by a grandmother and the founders who built it. Thanks to their work, and the people who keep donating, it has truly become a movement in our community.
We are a living "thank you" to the people who came before us—the ones who would not give up and who helped change our community, making it a better place.
Join the Movement
This work is a reminder for all of us that innovation is about questioning, creating, and dreaming big.
Your support helps us continue that legacy.
Thank you for being part of this movement.
| | | | |
We are closed for all National and UA Holidays
Thanksgiving Break
November 22nd - December 2nd! See you December 3rd!
We will also be closed for Winter Recess
December 20, 2025 - January 7, 2026
Yes... The Holidays are Upon Us!
| |
|
Jody…We are Proud of You! Thank You!
Honoring the Fierce Urgency of Now
We were honored and delighted to attend the NAACP Tucson Branch Freedom Fund Luncheon on Saturday, November 1st! The theme, “The Fierce Urgency of Now,” resonated deeply throughout the event as we connected with friends, community members, and outstanding honorees.
President Dr. Cheree Meeks and Co-Chair Lorna Ingram organized a truly inspiring program, celebrating individuals whose dedication and achievements embody the spirit of service and justice. Each honoree reminded us that now is the time to commit ourselves to something greater than our own interests—just as they have demonstrated through their incredible body of work… including our very own Jody!
Anthony L. Young – Legacy Award His legacy of work was on display with the Southern Arizona Legal Aid, Inc. and working with our community since 1991. He was also selected in 2007 by the AZ State Bar as the Legal Aid Attorney of the year!
Trehon and Carmishun Coleman were honored with The Trailblazer Award – so fitting as ABC – A Better Community - grows with each program and event reaching, connecting, and helping more and more of those in need in our community!
Frank and Murryelle Bothwell – President’s Award… Oh My.. They were the first people to contact me and share replicas from the 1890’s of Buffalo Soldiers paintings by famous artists of the day... this collection is our prized exhibition. They are always there to support the community.
Jody...Emerging Leader Award! I cannot say enough of how proud we are …and our community is of this young man! At 12 .. he was quite eloquent in sharing his views on the museum and that kids can be innovators too!
Inspiring Voices and Future Leaders
Keynote Speaker Lurie Daniel Favors captivated the audience with her powerful reflections on civil rights, history, and the current state of our nation. Her message was thought-provoking and we were especially touched when she mentioned Jody and took a photo with him!
We are incredibly proud of Zena Smith, President of the NAACP Tucson Youth Council, whose inspiring words encouraged us all to support and engage more young people in this important work.
The celebration continued as we honored the 2025 Black Excellence Scholarship Awardees, Elizabeth Ghartey and Felista Nabintu, both outstanding students at the University of Arizona. Their achievements remind us that the future is bright and full of promise!
Thank you, NAACP for your work and
to remind us that the time is NOW!
| | | |
|
REDLINE Veterans of Washingon -Escobedo Documentary
November 9th - December 1st
Bruce Nelson - A Phoenix Area Historian - wanted you to know more Mesa's Forgotten Heroes: Medal of Valor Recipients and More! Men who served our country.
Preview the film here:
| | | | |
You don’t want to miss “Heist” at the Arizona Theater Company Tucson from November 30 –December 20 at the Temple of Music and Art.
ETHAN HOOVER
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT MANAGER
ARIZONA THEATRE COMPANY
520-463-7679 DIRECT
| | |
Tucson’s Winter Gem and Mineral Show
February 1 - 16, 2025 - (SAVE The DATE)
Each winter....Yes, it is coming! That’s when Tucson transforms into a dazzling hub for gem enthusiasts, jewelry lovers (like me), mineral collectors, and fossil fans during the world-renowned Tucson Gem, Mineral & Fossil Showcase!
This year, more than 65,000 visitors from around the world will flock to Tucson, for an immersive experience that spans three weeks. Tucson's Gem, Mineral, and Fossil Showcase is coming back to town.
| | Read Books by Black Authors | | |
Get ready for Jacquotte Delahaye
The next Read Black Book Club meeting will be on Saturday, November 22 at 1pm via Zoom. Our November discussion will be about The Ballad of Jacquotte Delahaye by Briony Cameron, a historical novel about a queer, Black woman who set her sights on being the greatest pirate who ever lived. Released in 2024, it's Cameron's debut, and it sounds like a swashbuckling good time. Copies are available to place on hold in print and digital formats.
And please remember to register in order to get the Zoom link!
Register for November 22
It's time to pick books for 2026! Please complete our poll to determine reader interest and help us offer a balanced, interesting set of books for our six book club meetings next year. And of course, if something you're interested in isn't selected for the final group, you can always read them for the book chat in the opposite months!
Take the Read Black 2026 Book Poll
| |
| |
Read 2025 Black Books!
That is, books released in 2025—though reading two thousand twenty five Black books is certainly a goal! Our final book chat of the year is usually a time to highlight books that were released this past year. By December, we usually hope that the earlier releases will be more accessible to readers who want to read them. So get ready to talk about your favorite Black books released in 2025! Looking for one or a few to read? Check out this list on the Kindred page!
And of course, make sure to register to get the Zoom link.
| | | |
| |
Reminder: Pick up our newest project!
Earlier this year, Kindred released our first annual Books Invited to the Cookout, a booklet list of 49 titles by Black authors from 2024 that we want to shout out. Every book is available in some format at PCPL, and has a blurb from one of us about why we recommend it. Looking for something new to read? This is a great place to start no matter what you like to read!
Books Invited to the Cookout
| | | | |
Homecoming Celebrations
Thank you, Adiba Nelson of the Work that went into bring us all together!
Adiba Nelson, BSW, MFA
Coordinator - MLK Student Space
MLK Building, Ofc 209A
1322 E. 1st St. | Tucson, AZ 85719
Ph: 520-621-1708
Pronouns: she/her/hers
Up Next...Thanksgiving Dinner for students!
You are amazing.
| | 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. | | | | |  | |
Nikieia Johnson
Director
African American Museum of Southern Arizona www.aamsaz.org
Office of Research and Partnerships |
The University of Arizona
Museum: U of A Student Union Room #244
Photo by Joe Jackson, Jr.
| | | | |
Our Legacy Founder Investors (LFI), COX, TEP, Elliott Family Charity, Zuckerman Family Foundation, Tucson Foundation
Thank you for your
unwavering support!
| | |
Supporting AAMSAZ | We love hearing from you!
-
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?
-
Let's connect. Please email us and let us know at AAMuseumofSouthernAZ@gmail.com.
| | | |
| |
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.
| |
Hours of Operation
Wednesday - Saturday
10 AM to 4 PM
Friday
10 AM to 3 PM
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.
Schedule a tour of 6 or more by signing up online. website sign-up page! Thank you for your support!
| | |
General Admission to
the museum is free!
Help us keep it that way by
Making a Donation!
Thank you!
| | 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.
| | | | |
