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Turning the Page: From Summer’s End to Fall’s Promise
September always feels like a time of transition. The long days of summer are fading, Labor Day has passed, and school doors have been opened for a few weeks. This season invites us to refocus, to settle into new rhythms, and to carry forward the energy of summer into fresh opportunities for learning, growth, and community.
At AAMSAZ, we embrace this spirit of renewal. Just as students step into classrooms with curiosity and determination, we too look ahead with excitement to the programs, partnerships, and events that autumn will bring. Fall is a season of reflection, but also of promise—a time to honor our history, celebrate progress, and continue building bridges that strengthen our community.
As cooler days approach, we are reminded that every ending leads to a new beginning. The close of summer marks not just the changing of the season but the start of a season rich with possibility. Together, we look forward to making the months ahead meaningful, memorable, and filled with connection.
| | UA’s Welcome Back...August 2025 | | | | |
We hosted a table at U of A’s Finding Community Welcome (FCW), an outreach event for first-year and transfer students, on Wednesday, August 27th, 2025. The event took place at the Student Union Grand Ballroom from 5-7pm.
UA's Finding Community Event was an in person open house and outreach event welcoming incoming (and returning) students while introducing them to campus organizations as well as community organizations. There was free food, music, and interactive activities for everyone. Thank you Adiba Nelson, BSW MLK Program Coordinator for inviting us to participate!
| | On Campus Resource Ice Cream Social! | | |
Adiba didn’t stop there on September 4, 2025, we were honored to have been asked to participate in the on-campus resource program at the MLK Center. Once again, Adiba Nelson planned a wonderful event to ensure that all students are aware of the resources and programs available on campus and who is there to help. AAMSAZ was present as was CCSS (Community Council for Student Success) to share our mission, vision and information to assist students with moving forward successfully! Thank you to our new Digital Specialist Josh Wallace and Director, Nikieia Johnson as we shared information about the museum and what to expect next! (Photos by Josh Wallace)
Fall Festival 2025
October 8th | 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM | CF Campus
Community Foundation of Arizona is having a Fall Festival on October 8th, and that means a great and completely FREE community outing simply meant to bring people together over food & beverages, games, raffles for prizes, and more!
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Connections that Count
and ABC – A Better Community have secured
The Tucson Chapter of the Links, Incorporated as
the Event Sponsor for the 3rd Annual
Historically Black College and University Night (HBCU)
Night at the Dunbar Pavilion
| | | | Each year from September 15 to October 15, we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month—honoring the history, culture, and lasting contributions of Hispanic Americans. This year, explore Tucson’s Hispanic Heritage Month Events page for a full list of activities and celebrations. From food and history to music and art, Hispanic culture is deeply woven into the fabric of America—and into the heart of Tucson. | |
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Pioneer Museum Set to Reopen
After five years of closure, we are thrilled to announce the upcoming reopening of the Pioneer Museum in Flagstaff. Like many institutions, the museum first closed in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In the years that followed, rising costs of living, staffing challenges, and reduced funding created significant barriers to reopening.
Throughout this time, staff from Tucson and Tempe made regular visits to maintain the building and grounds, and the community of Flagstaff never lost hope that the museum would once again welcome visitors. Working alongside city leaders and community partners, AHS (Arizona Historical Society) set an ambitious goal—raising $359,700 in annual operational funds—to bring this vision to life.
Now, thanks to those collective efforts, Pioneer Museum is preparing to open its doors once again. We are excited to reawaken this beloved institution and return it to the people of Flagstaff, northern Arizona, and beyond. According to Dr. David Breeckner, AHS Executive Director.
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🎉 Celebrating Volunteer Excellence 🎉
Rose Taulton We are so Proud of You!
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The Southern Arizona Volunteer Management Association (SAVMA) Awards & Recognition Subcommittee has announced the 2026 Honorees! We couldn’t be prouder to have been present when AAMSAZ super volunteer Rose Taulton was informed - at the Juneteenth Festival Meeting where she also serves - that she was the 2025 Volunteer of The Year! Congratulations Rose!
Mr. Larry Starks, President of the Juneteenth Committee, nominated Rose for this honor. Larry did an outstanding job in nominating Ms. Rose as he highlighted her dedicated work that she does throughout the community. Rose not only serves on the Juneteenth board, she is a volunteer and works with Legal Aid, the NAACP to name a few…and of course AAMSAZ!
We agree with SAVMA that Volunteers are vital to the well-being of our community, and the SAVMA Volunteer Awards recognize the remarkable service of individuals, youth, and corporate volunteerism programs in Southern Arizona.
Congratulations to the 2026 Award Recipients:
- Volunteer of the Year Award
- Rose Taulton – Juneteenth Festival
- Exceptional Governance Volunteer Award
- Katie Maxwell – Youth On Their Own
- Corporate/Group Volunteerism Award
- The Home Depot
- Exceptional Volunteer Program Award
- Greater Tucson Leadership
- Exceptional Volunteer Engagement Professional Award
- Angelica Town – Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southern Arizona
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Have you read Dr. King?
Our next Read Black Book Club meeting is on Saturday, September 27 at 1pm via Zoom. We'll be discussing Where Do We Go From Here: Chaos or Community by the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. While many of us have read at least one of his shorter works like "Letter from Birmingham Jail", Dr. King's longer works are less commonly studied in general spaces. If you've never read this work written right at the heart of the Civil Rights Movement, looking back and looking forward, this will be quite the experience.
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We are proud to share with you one of Tucson’s Artists that we feel everyone should know! If you have not met her.... Allow me to introduce Randiesia Fletcher. She combines art with creative writing supporting different mediums and more. See her newsletter below!
Randiesia Fletcher, M.Ed.
Painter, Storyteller, Educator
Building Socially and Environmentally friendly spaces.
520-241-3465
| | Congratulations Dr. Sanchez! | | |
We are proud to celebrate our very own Supplemental Board Member, Dr. Tani Sanchez, who will be receiving a Lifetime Achievement Award! Dr. Sanchez is an accomplished author, professor, and historian whose dedication has enriched both the University of Arizona, AAMSAZ, and the wider Tucson community. Her passion, scholarship, and service make this recognition well deserved.
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Correction
855 women—predominantly African American of the 688th arrived in Birmingham, England on February 18, 1945. (Army) troops, (as well as, civilians, politicians, the Red Cross, and all military services in the European Theater of Operations) during WWII.
The ship carrying the 6888th docked in Scotland on 12 Feb 45, having left the NY POE on 3 Feb 45. They were then put on a train to Birmingham, England arriving shortly afterwards. Verified by Dr. Françoise B. Bonnell, Director, U.S. Army Women’s Museum 8/7/2020
Thank you, Carlton Philpot.
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Black History is American History
The Grio
According to a recent report from The Grio, the unemployment rate for Black Americans has risen to 7.5%, raising concern among economists and community advocates. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data shows this increase from 7.2% in July marks the second consecutive monthly spike.
This is now the highest level since October 2021, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the highest in eight years when excluding pandemic-related job losses.
| | | 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.
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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!
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.
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