AAMSAZ Updates from the E.D. November 2023
| |
|
Thank you!
We are grateful not just during this season of thanks but all year long!
In this season of reflection and gratitude, I am genuinely touched by the generosity and support we have received this year. Your contributions have not only propelled us forward but have also affirmed the significance of our endeavors.
When you have a moment, send someone a great word for the day or an encouraging message – Thank you, Ricky Hunley, Marie Williams, and My Sisters Edith and Kim. We plan to send out a few extra messages this season because we are so grateful to you for supporting our mission. Thank you, JP, Craig, Rita, and the U of A Foundation, Dr. Benson, Rachelle with the Student Union; Elliott, Jo, Andrea, and Peter with RII, TEP, Zuckerman Family, and Cox, for going the extra step to help us because sometimes it’s as simple as a beautiful text, email, or photo that makes all the difference.
Thank you all for being a vital part of our journey. Your kindness and commitment have made a tremendous difference, and we are profoundly grateful for your unwavering support.
|  | |
When we design a new exhibition and have the privilege and honor to work with people like Barbara Lewis, the Dunbar Pavilion historian, Dr. Jason Jurjevich at the U of A, or the fun group of people at Mission Garden like Emily, Michael Engs, Kim, Syd, Megan, and others, we learn so much and we want to pass that on!
We are also filled with pride at what we have accomplished. But....we are also a little skeptical because we are unsure how our visitors - You - will feel about these new exhibitions. Programmatically and educationally, we are and have been very busy!
If you have not seen our website tick off the numbers of visitors, members, tours, etc. … please take a gander! (Click here!)
|  | 2023 has been a phenomenal year for AAMSAZ! We hired our 1st and only employee, and I am loving this new chapter of my life! We are staying busy, and we love that YOU, our community, keep sending information you have located or discovered and that you think it should be a part of the museum’s exhibition or history. | |
In the last few months, Jenny and I have been designing and curating a few new exhibitions and working on a few programs!
- Keeping up with the Jones’
- The Mountain View Hotel
- Redesigning and updating our website, revamping our archival process, and training new volunteers
-
We have been in a whirlwind as we prepare for the Gala (Click here to register!)
- Organizing the 1-year Anniversary of our Grand opening, along with a Member, Donor Appreciation Day
- Our kick-off to Black History Month featuring Ms. Carlotta Walls of the Little Rock 9
-
A video History Walk and Talk through time with Dr. Michael Engs.
| |
Countdown to AAMSAZ Winter Gala:
Save the Date!
| |
|
You won't want to miss this! Get your costume ready!
| | |
|
|
LOCATION:
DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Tucson
Reid Park
445 South Alvernon Way
Tucson, AZ 85711
DATE:
Friday, November 17, 2023
TICKETS:
$ 75 per person
| |
Beverely, We are so PROUD of you! | |
|
Before Beverely embarked on her journey to establish the African American Museum of Southern Arizona, she dedicated her heart and soul to education as a High School Counselor in the Tucson Unified School District (TUSD) for over 20 years. During her tenure, she not only educated but also inspired, cared for, and nurtured countless students, leaving an indelible mark on their lives.
On October 26th, 2023, the Educational Enrichment Foundation (EEF) honored Beverely as the recipient of the Ray Davis Lifetime Humanitarian Award at the Tucson Convention Center. The event was attended by almost 400 people who came together to celebrate her extraordinary contributions to our community. Together, the attendees generously donated over $160,000 to the EEF to address the needs of students in TUSD. This heartwarming act of generosity reinforces our shared commitment to educational excellence.
| |
|
We are so proud of you.
WE LOVE YOU!!!
| |
|
We would like to extend our gratitude to all who attended and encourage those who weren't able to participate to consider contributing to the EEF, TUSD, and AAMSAZ. Your support is vital to advancing the mission of education, cultural preservation, and community development.
Today, as we all witnessed, Beverely continues her unwavering commitment to our community. She is not a curator, historian, or docent; she has dedicated herself to our museum as a Volunteer Executive Director, working more than double-digit hours every day, including weekends. She is making an incredible gift to Tucson and the Arizona community. It's challenging for me to find words that do justice to her, but she truly deserves all the accolades. She is creating a beacon of knowledge and culture in the form of the African American Museum. It's always a pleasure and honor to work with her!
| |
Sincerely,
Jenny Li, Digital Curator
| |
Museum and Campus Updates!
| |
|
Little Rock Nine
Carlotta Walls is Coming to Tucson!
Join AAMSAZ for a “Chat with Carlotta Walls”
Friday, February 9, 2024 at 6:00 PM
Palo Verde High School!
Book Signing TBD
More information is coming soon!
|  | |
Who were the Little Rock Nine?
The Little Rock Nine's efforts to desegregate Central High School in 1957 were a significant and pivotal time in the Civil Rights Movement. Carlotta Walls was one of those students. These nine brave students faced tremendous adversity and racism as they sought to attend an all-white school. Their dedication to the cause of equality and access to education helped pave the way for desegregation in schools across the United States.
It is crucial that schools provide comprehensive education about historical events, especially those related to the civil rights struggle and desegregation, to ensure that students are informed and aware of the challenges faced by those who came before them, which allow them to live as they do now.
The 65th-anniversary celebration of the Little Rock Nine's efforts serves as a reminder of the progress that has been made in the fight against segregation and discrimination in education. It also underscores the ongoing importance of continuing to educate the public, particularly young students, about the history of the Civil Rights Movement and the struggles endured by individuals like the Little Rock Nine in their pursuit of equal educational opportunities.
| | | |
Free Swim Lessons
We will serve 50 to 75 children (Ages 5 – 18)
| | |
|
|
Students Will Get: FREE Swim Bag, Flip flops, Goggles, Swim Towels, and Free Lessons! Historically.... Children of Color were not allowed to swim due to racial prejudice. Let's work on changing that! Lessons take place at The University’s Student Recreation Center Pool on 6th Street. Certified swim instructors will instruct the children.
For information or to register, scan the QR code!
| |
|
Tucson Electric Power...Thank You | |
Beverely Elliott, recently had the honor of presenting TEP with the prestigious Buffalo Soldier Statuette, a locally designed work of art by R. Quinro Davis. These statuettes are awarded to those who contribute $100,000 or more to the museum, highlighting TEP's significant commitment to the cause. What's even more commendable is that TEP didn't stop at just a financial contribution. They went the extra mile by partnering with the University of Arizona's Eller College and offering a paid internship opportunity at the African American Museum of Southern Arizona to an Eller College student. | |
Chris Norman of TEP with Intern Michael Frees and Bob Elliott | |
|
This internship opportunity is a testament to TEP's dedication to education and the development of local talent. Dean Karthik Kannan, Colleen Perra of the Eller College, and Wendy Erica Werthen of TEP had an opportunity to meet AAMSAZ's selection of Michael Frees, a senior student who has already proven himself to be a valuable asset to the museum. TEP's support and partnership with the museum will undoubtedly leave a lasting impact on both the community and the future generations of students involved with AAMSAZ. It's heartwarming to see such collaboration and commitment to preserving and
celebrating the rich cultural heritage of the African American community in Southern Arizona. Thank you, Tucson Electric Power, for your ongoing support and dedication to the community and education.
| |
|
Our first employee, Jenny Li is a digital museum technology whiz, curator, artist, graphic designer…OK so she does it all! …… . She designed the logo for the BCC – U of A’s Black Community Council. I wrote up information, and she designed a beautiful brochure. Any graphic idea I give her for the museum turns into a work of art!
She and Mingde edit and record film and figure out a way for things to look great. They have also done some work with the Arizona Historical Society, hugs to Perri Pyle as they will continue to assist and digitize the oral histories that accompany the AAHIP (African American Historical Internship Project) collection.
| Please take some time to browse these photos. They provide a beautiful photographic history; thank you, Dr. Harry Lawson and The Buehman Studio Collection of days long ago. If you recognize someone let us know. Some of these photos have no names or background. | |
|
Last month was American Archives Month!
Throughout October, museums were asked to gather, store, and share historically significant materials to showcase their collections while raising awareness about the importance of our work in aiding and preserving resources and telling more complete stories across various disciplines. Considering the list above ….. I think we met the challenge!
| |
October Tours - Thank you for visiting us! | |
|
Over the past month, we have had UA classes in Africana Studies visit us. We extend our Thanks to Dr. Johnny Bowens for choosing our museum as an educational resource for the students.
We are also grateful to the UA faculty and staff, including Dean Burgess of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, the teams from UA Student Engagement & Career Development, and U Arizona Research, Innovation & Impact (RII).
It brings us immense pride to be the hosts of the Black Excellence Scholars Program, the Upward Bound Program, Desert Hills High School, The State of Black Arizona Group (thank you Teniqua and the Leadership Program!), Upsilon Chapter of the Delta Kappa Gamma Society International, Delta Gems and Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc., as well as numerous individuals and personal groups. Your enthusiasm for exploring African American history in Arizona is deeply appreciated. To ensure that everyone has the opportunity to explore this history, we will continue our efforts to keep our doors open and accessible to all, free of charge.
We are immensely honored that the museum was included in the AZ Preservation Conference 2023 and the National Trust for Historic Preservation, and we would like to extend our gratitude to Brooks Jeffries (Camp Naco) for making this opportunity possible.
| |
We are so Proud!
The University of Arizona has played a significant role in the completion of the world’s largest telescope! We are a Wonder and the innovation and research has had an amazing impact on the world!
| |
The Richard F. Caris Mirror Laboratory, located at the University of Arizona, has begun the fabrication of the seventh segment of the primary mirror required to complete the Giant Magellan Telescope (GMT), marking a significant milestone in the quest to explore Earth-like planets and the universe. | |
The process began with technicians heating the glass to an incredibly high temperature, equivalent to flowing lava, as the furnace started spinning. This initiation marks the commencement of a four-year-long, meticulously engineered process of melting, casting, and polishing, which will ultimately result in a lightweight mirror that's nearly three stories high when stood on its end. Once completed, the mirror will be transported over 5,000 miles to the Las Campanas Observatory in Chile's high desert, where it will serve as the final segment of the primary mirror required for the Giant Magellan Telescope (GMT) – the largest telescope in the world. Outstanding! Proud to be a WILDCAT! Bear Down! Go Cats! (Yes, I know I am a science geek!) | |
|
Recently the Arizona Daily Star stated that Gov. Katie Hobbs replaced a few members of the Rio Nuevo board. We are proud to say that AAMSAZ Board Member Taunya Villicana, a native Tucsonan, Sunnyside High school Alum and CEO of Affinity Wealth Management, who has over 20 years of experience in financial planning, started her career with Merrill Lynch before co-founding her own firm, was one of the new members appointed by the Governor! Go Taunya! So proud to have you on our team!
Click Here to Read More!
| |
Daisy M. Jenkins, Esquire .. Oh my goodness..what can I say… She is an accomplished writer and author and is featured in the latest Dunbar Pavilion Newsletter. Daisy’s resume reads like a book, and we are so proud of all the work she does in the community. Daisy serves on the Board of Directors for AAMSAZ and she serves on several boards that are so impressive that it’s hard to keep track of them all. You can purchase her books online!
Click Here to Read More!
| The President of the BCC – The U of A’s Presidents Black Community Council - and the committee held their 15th Annual fall event, this one called Mentors and Mixing. The event collaborates with local Tucson Businesses and U of A Colleges for an evening of networking, fun, swag, dancing, prizes, and more. The community members of the committee Styne Hill, Jenelle Lewis, Daisy Jenkins, Bob Elliott, Richard Davis, Olympia Tinsley, Donna Liggins, and Beverely Elliott ( Beah Williams and Chavar Dollard- unable to attend this year), along with U of A BCC Advisors, Dr. Lehman Benson, Dean of Students Kendal Washington-White, Dr. Tanisha Price- Johnson and Mark Strickling were on hand along with members of the Tucson Chapter of The Links, Incorporated and various sororities, fraternities, and clubs. This evening of fun was captured by Jenelle Lewis! Check this out! | | | |
"Breakfast Girls" Presentation
Beverely and Jenny presented information about the museum to a wonderful group of women known as the "Breakfast Girls" on 10/12/23 at Vera Amore at 7:00 AM. Emily Morrison and the group were engaged and asked questions, and we even took a few photos when Board Chair Bob Elliott stopped in for a quick visit. As the morning unfolded, it became clear that this encounter was not just a presentation; it was a celebration of community engagement and the preservation of cultural heritage. We hope to see you soon at the museum!
| |
|
|
As always, your support of AAMSAZ
is what keeps the doors open and
Our newsletters flowing!
| |
We hosted our 2023 Annual Member Meeting in October!
If you missed it, here is the recording link: https://www.aamsaz.org/aamsaz-2023-member-annual-meeting/ This meeting and recording were exclusive to AAMSAZ members. Please use the password we sent you on October 22nd (along with invite link) to review the recording!
| |
|
Please join us by making your end of the season gift today and be a part of bringing high-quality educational programming, engaging content, and impactful cultural information to our community and the world.
We know the past is not always easy to access, but it makes the future possible.
| |
Dunbar! Congratulations on your
New Executive Director!
Dunbar Pavilion has a new Executive Director! So. AZ Community Welcome..Ms. Freda Marshall. Her commitment to honoring the legacy of the historic building, once the school for “colored” children during segregation, is commendable. We look forward to working with Ms. Marshall as she forges ahead with innovative strategies to assist and uplift the plans for the pavilion. Welcome Freda!
| |
|
Juneteenth Festival Celebrates the Community! | |
The Tucson Juneteenth Festival, Incorporated Committee, held their second annual awards ceremony as President, Larry Starks hosted and honored this past year's sponsors, volunteers, board members, and community advocates. | |
A special community award was given in memory of Burney Starks, a champion for the Juneteenth Festival. The Burney Starks winners were: Rose Taulton, Kevin Woodard, and the Goodwill Opportunity Youth Program. The recipient of their first DEI champion award was Boys to Men of Tucson. The Juneteenth Committee also recognized sponsors TEP, One AZ Community Foundation, Tucson Federal Credit Union, Pima County Health Department, The Tucson Foundation, The University of Arizona, and The African American Museum of Southern Arizona! | |
|
Check out this video!
Thank you, Larry Starks!
| |
Mission Garden - Children's Books | |
|
The Giving Tree of the Desert, written by Danielle Fradette and illustrated by Tais Lemos, is the latest children's book at the Garden Shop. It is a great lesson for kids about nurse trees. Nurse trees--Desert Palo Verdes, mesquites, and ironwoods—provide just enough shade in the summer and just enough warmth in the winter that saguaros can germinate and grow a little easier under their canopy. This charming book tells the story of a saguaro and its’ tree. Or, perhaps it's the story of the tree, and it's saguaro!
The Garden Shop has great Jelly I was given a gift of Fig Jelly…Delicious! Thanks Emily!
| |
|
|
Support the PAC 12 /UA Basketball HBCU Initiative
Men's Basketball vs Morgan State, November 6th at 7:30 PM
Men's Basketball vs Southern University, November 13th at 6:00 PM
| |
|
Gallery Grand Opening!
Friday, Nov. 3, 2023
5:30-8:30 PM
15 E. PENNINGTON ST.
HISTORIC PIONEER BLD
Free Entry
Blue Lotus Artists' Collective (BLAC) is a non-profit gallery space dedicated to supporting and uplifting Black Artists. Located on the ground floor of the historic Pioneer Building in downtown Tucson, Arizona.
bluelotusartistscollective.com
@blac_tucson
| |
|
I Love – “The Color Purple” | |
|
It's exciting to hear that "The Color Purple" is being adapted once again, this time with a star-studded cast for a new feature film. The original novel, written by Alice Walker in 1982, explored the lives of African Americans in the early 1900s.
The new film adaptation will combine elements from the original novel, the 1985 film, and the successful Broadway musical. With the cast featuring names like Taraji P. Henson, Danielle Brooks, Halle Bailey, H.E.R., Fantasia Barrino, Ciara, and other talented African American Hollywood stars. Part of the cast will grace the cover of Essence Magazine (November/December issue).
| |
|
"The Color Purple" has always been celebrated for its empowering and poignant storytelling, shedding light on important themes such as racism, sexism, and the resilience of the human spirit. We love seeing the legacy of such a powerful and influential story being brought to life once more for a new generation of viewers. | |
November is a time for food, family and friends. Enjoy! | |
Our Legacy Founder Investors | | |
|
|
Thank you to our
Legacy Founder Investors
COX, TEP,
Elliott Family Charity, and Zuckerman Family Foundation
For your unwavering support!
| |
A Bench on the U of Arizona Campus for
U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson
We hope you have visited the Women's Plaza of Honor, as it 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 on the plaza that honors former Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg?
Women and Gender Studies, in collaboration with AAMSAZ, will be launching a campaign to have a bench placed on the Women’s Plaza of Honor in tribute to
Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson,
the first African American woman to sit on the U.S. Supreme Court. Please 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 simple design. Please be sure to note that your donation is for the Ketanji Brown Jackson Bench.
| |
|
|
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. No matter what your abilities are, we are committed to finding meaningful ways for you to contribute. Please contact us at AAMuseumofSouthernAZ@gmail.com to learn how you can volunteer and for more information on volunteer training sessions.
| |
Black Barbie: A Documentary
Shondaland, Netflix, and director Shonda Rhimes of Shondaland have acquired the worldwide rights to Black Barbie: A Documentary.
| |
|
"Black Barbie" will be an informative documentary that aims to shed light on the significant contributions of three Black women at Mattel Toys, including the Barbie brand evolution and the origins of the first Black Barbie. This documentary will inform and celebrate their accomplishments and highlight the importance of representation in the toy industry, especially in the context of how dolls can influence identity and imagination.
It's a testament to how diverse perspectives and talents can have a transformative impact on a brand that has played a role in the lives of so many. We are excited as the documentary will provide valuable insights into Barbie's history and cultural significance, particularly regarding diversity and inclusion.
| |
|
Harvard Hires First African American President! | | |
|
Harvard University is one of the oldest and most prestigious higher education institutions in the United States and the world. It was founded in 1636 and has a long history of academic excellence and leadership in various fields. Dr. Claudine Gay became the first African-American President of Harvard University, highlighting the institution's commitment to diversity and inclusion. | |
There is No Lack here!
The unveiling of a monument honoring Henrietta Lacks drew a crowd of about a hundred people who cheered and celebrated this significant event in Roanoke, VA, and around the country. Henrietta Lacks is renowned as a medical miracle due to the remarkable properties of her cells.
After Henrietta Lacks, a married mother of five, passed away in 1951, doctors took samples of her tumor without her or her family's consent. To their astonishment, they discovered that Lacks' cells were unlike most others, as they didn't die but instead continued to regenerate. These unique cells, known as HeLa cells, have played a pivotal role in numerous medical studies and have paved the way for advancements in areas such as HIV, polio, in vitro fertilization, gene mapping, and cancer treatments. HeLa cells remain in use today.
For many years, the identity of the woman behind these extraordinary cells was unknown until well after her death. The unveiling of the monument is a momentous occasion in the medical community.
Watch the Video from WDBJ7 - Historical marker honoring Henrietta Lacks unveiled in Roanoke.
| |
|
The statue of Henrietta Lacks stands on a pedestal that was once occupied by a Confederate General. The community rallied together and raised over $180,000 for the creation of this statue, which now resides in the newly renamed Henrietta Lacks Plaza. The statue's artist, Bryce Cobbs, and Blacksburg-based sculptor Lawrence ‘Larry’ Bechtel aimed to capture a pose that exudes dignity and invites people to learn more about Henrietta Lacks, making her story and contribution to medical science more widely known.
Watch the Video from WDBJ7 - Meet the minds behind the Henrietta Lack statue.
| | | |
The Atlanta Race Massacre of 1906
The identification of two victims of the Atlanta Race Massacre, which took place in 1906, is a significant development in shedding light on the tragic events of that time. The Atlanta Race Massacre, which occurred over four days in September 1906, involved a mob of white men and boys targeting African American people based on false reports of Black men brutalizing white women.
| The Atlanta Race Massacre of 1906. (Photo: GPB Education screenshot / YouTube screenshot) | |
The Georgia Civil Rights Cold Cases Project and the Afro-American Historical and Genealogical Society of Metro Atlanta researchers were able to identify two previously unknown victims, 25-year-old Stinson Ferguson and 13-year-old Marshall Carter, whose death certificates listed "riot" as the cause of death. This identification helps provide closure to the families and communities affected by this tragic event and contributes to a better understanding of the history of racial violence in the United States. | |
Sign Up for Tours and Visits
Tours or visits to the African American Museum of Southern Arizona are by appointment only
Wednesday through Saturday
10 AM – 4 PM.
Schedule a tour by signing up online. Please check our schedule and sign up using the AAMSAZ
website sign-up page!
| |
|
General Admission to the museum is free.
Please consider Making a Donation in any amount. 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. | | | | |
