Black History, Family Legacy &
Fireside Chat with Tony Dungy
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Dear AAMSAZ Community,
February invites us to pause, reflect, and recommit to history, to legacy, and to one another. As we observe Black History Month, the African American Museum of Southern Arizona (AAMSAZ) centers a simple but powerful truth: Black history is not only national—it is personal, familial, and deeply rooted in community.
This month, we celebrate the stories that connect generations, honor those who paved the way, and uplift the living legacies shaping our future.
| Celebrating 100 Years of Black History | |
This year marks the 100th anniversary of the FORMAL recognition of Black history in the United States. At the beginning of the twentieth century, African American history was largely confined to narratives of enslavement and exclusion of the truth. That understanding began to change because of the visionary work of Dr. Carter G. Woodson—widely known as the Father of Black History—who dedicated his life to documenting, preserving, and uplifting the achievements of African Americans in U.S. and world history.
Born in 1875 to formerly enslaved parents, Dr. Woodson earned degrees from Berea College and the University of Chicago. In 1912, he became the second African American to receive a PhD from Harvard University. Recognizing the absence of Black voices in historical scholarship, he founded the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History in 1915, now known as the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH).
Through groundbreaking publications such as The Journal of Negro History and the Negro History Bulletin, Dr. Woodson created platforms for rigorous public education. In 1926, he launched Negro History Week, an observance that grew into Black History Month in 1976 and remains a cornerstone of historical education across the nation.
The African American Museum of Southern Arizona is proud to carry forward Dr. Woodson’s enduring legacy—ensuring that African American history is preserved, shared, and celebrated as an essential part of American history.
| Community Support in Action: February Silent Auction | Also this month, we are excited to share the details of our silent auction hosted by Omega Zeta Rho Chapter to support the continued development of exhibitions, educational programming, and community engagement efforts. Your participation directly strengthens our ability to preserve history and expand access to it. | |
Mark your calendar for February 11 – 12 to make an
impact during University of Arizona Giving Day!
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Be part of something with a big impact! University of Arizona Giving Day begins at 12:00 PM (noon) on February 11 and brings together Wildcats everywhere for 24 hours of generosity, pride, and connection.
This Giving Day, we invite you to show your love for and to support the work of the African American Museum of Southern Arizona. Your contribution helps us preserve history, expand exhibitions, keep admission free, and continue our educational and community programs.
Here’s how you can support us during this giving season:
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Donate on Giving Day to amplify our mission
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Sign up for our newsletter to stay connected and informed
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Visit the museum and experience the stories we preserve and share
Every gift—large or small—makes a meaningful difference. www.aamsaz.org
Go Cats. Bear Down.
Thank you for your generosity, your support, and for believing in our mission!
| A Story of Justice & Tenacity | |
Elgie Mike Batteau was an educator who was courageous with humility. She was an advocate for SOCIAL JUSTICE before that term was used, but she felt responsible for society. Mrs. Batteau was a University of Arizona graduate who integrated the U of A student union swimming pools and moved here and stayed with her Aunt Rosa (Barnes), who moved to Tucson in 1916.
She taught at the Dunbar School and then moved to Phoenix, Arizona, in the early 1940s, where she taught at the Phoenix Union Colored High School.
This high school was built specifically for African American children and opened as a segregated school for high school students in 1926. Mrs. Batteau was concerned about the school’s name and wanted the children to have pride in their school and pushed for the school to be named George Washington Carver High School after the scholar, scientist and educator.
African American students at the University of Arizona have developed an academic honor society “The Elgie Batteau Honor Society.” Mrs. Batteau and her husband Matthew were of strong faith and dedicated long service to Prince Chapel A.M.E. Church in Tucson and Tanner Chapel A.M.E. Church in Phoenix. In addition they tutored and were mentors for many of their former students as many became teachers following in their footsteps. They held a Day Camp where they taught math, reading, language skills, and shop.
This Day Camp included lunch and always
Mr. Batteau’s famous Iced Mint Tea!
| Black History Month Across Southern Arizona | |
Black History Month is being celebrated throughout Southern Arizona, with local organizations, schools, cultural institutions, and community groups hosting events that honor African American history, culture, and achievement.
To help our community stay connected, we have included flyers for upcoming local Black History Month events in this newsletter. We encourage you to review, attend, share, and support these celebrations as we collectively uplift Black history across our region.
AAMSAZ is proud to stand alongside our community partners and to serve as a hub for learning, connection, and cultural preservation.
| Little Rock Nine – February 9th | |
February 9, 1960, for one student who attended Little Rock Central High School, a bomb exploded at her home. It was the home of Carlotta Walls, the youngest member of the Little Rock Nine—the nine African American students who integrated the school in 1957.
In September 1957, Arkansas Governor Orval Faubus ordered the Arkansas National Guard to block the integration of Central High School, preventing the nine newly admitted African American students from entering the building. In response, President Dwight D. Eisenhower federalized the National Guard and deployed U.S. Army troops to escort the students into the school. Even with federal protection, the students faced violent hostility from white students and adults.
The courage of the Little Rock Nine became a defining moment in the Civil Rights Movement. At just 14 years old, Carlotta Walls stood at the center of this historic struggle, embodying extraordinary bravery in the face of intimidation and terror.
We were honored to have Ms. Walls LaNier with us as our speaker in our 2nd Fireside Chat!
| | It’s Back on the University of Arizona | | |
March 14-15, 2026!
Books Celebrating Black Boyhood
Librarians across the country have curated a thoughtful list of books that celebrate African American boyhood in all its joy, complexity, and beauty. Spanning a wide range of ages, genres, settings, and themes, these stories share a common purpose: centering African American boys and affirming their experiences, imagination, and humanity.
Explore the book list here:
https://rhcbteacherslibrarians.com/latest-buzz/book-lists-black-boy-joy/
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Tracey Baptiste is a New York Times bestselling author of more than 25 books for children and young readers.
She is best known for the popular Jumbies series and writes both fiction and nonfiction across picture book, middle grade, and young adult genres.
Her recent works include the middle grade novel Moko Magic: Museum Mayhem and the picture book Super Goat Girl.
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Caleb Gayle is an award-winning journalist and author of We Refuse to Forget: A True Story of Black Creeks, American Identity, and Power.
He is a professor at Northeastern University and a contributing writer for The New York Times Magazine. His work has appeared in The Atlantic, Time, The Guardian, Guernica, The New Republic, and The Boston Globe.
Gayle lives near Boston, and his newest book, Black Moses, was longlisted for the National Book Award.
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Rachel Eliza Griffiths is an acclaimed poet, visual artist, and novelist. She is a recipient of the Hurston/Wright Foundation Legacy Award and the Paterson Poetry Prize, and a finalist for a NAACP Image Award.
Her work has been supported by fellowships from the Cave Canem Foundation, the Robert Rauschenberg Foundation, and Yaddo. Her debut novel, Promise, was named a Kirkus Reviews and Chicago Public Library Best Book of the Year. Her newest memoir is The Flower Bearers.
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Coming Soon…Camille A. Brown Dancers –
Save the Date – March 19, 2026
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Camille A. Brown is an acclaimed African American dancer, choreographer, director, and educator whose work blends dance with storytelling and social history. A five-time Tony Award nominee, she began her career performing with Ronald K. Brown’s dance company before founding her own company, Camille A. Brown & Dancers, in 2006.
Her innovative productions have earned major honors, including a Princess Grace Award and a Bessie Award.
Brown has also made a significant impact on Broadway and regional theater, choreographing and directing productions such as Once On This Island, Choir Boy, and Much Ado About Nothing. Her work on Choir Boy earned her a Tony nomination for Best Choreography, along with multiple Drama Desk, Audelco, and Lucille Lortel nominations.
MORE information coming soon... Tickets will be available!
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Student Success Scholarship Series –
U of A School of Dance
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DATES: February 19-22, 2026
LOCATION: Stevie Eller Dance Theatre
The University of Arizona School of Dance invites the community to the Student Success Scholarship Series, a special performance series that supports student scholarships while showcasing exceptional talent.
We encourage you to consider purchasing tickets for students who might not otherwise have the opportunity to attend—and to join us for a performance yourself.
This series also features a familiar and exciting guest performer: D. Jerome, who recently captivated Tucson audiences as the Tin Man in The Wiz.
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Devonté Jerome Wells
Born Devonté Jerome Wells in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, D. Jerome trained at the North Carolina School of the Arts and is currently starring as the Tin Man with the national touring company of The Wiz. His credits include MJ the Musical on Broadway, the Hamilton (Angelica Tour), and film and television appearances in Haunted Mansion (Disney), TURN (AMC), and My Big Fat Fabulous Life (TLC). Praised as a “formidable triple-threat,” his performances continue to inspire and impress audiences nationwide.
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Also performing will be Billy James Hawkins, III (Detroit, MI) is a dancer, choreographer, filmmaker, and writer. He holds a BFA from the University of North Carolina School of the Arts.
Duane Cyrus, Director
School of Dance
The University of Arizona.
A full description of the event is available at the link by going to the U of A Fine Arts website.
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Black History Month at The Loft Theatre
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They will spotlight several movies in February to lift up Black History Month. A Raisin in the Sun is scheduled for February 7! This Classic it is a must see!
Also Get Out as the Cult Classic featured film for a week starting on February 20.
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Living Legacy in Real Time:
Fireside Chat with Tony Dungy
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Black history is not only about the past—it is also about the legacies being built today.
This February, AAMSAZ is honored to host a fireside chat with Tony Dungy, an iconic leader whose legacy spans sports, faith, mentorship, and service.
Coach Dungy’s journey reflects many of the values we uplift at the museum: perseverance, family, leadership, integrity, and service to others.
This conversation offers a powerful opportunity to hear firsthand how legacy is shaped across generations and how purpose-driven leadership can create lasting impact. We strongly encourage our supporters, partners, families, and young leaders to attend and be part of this meaningful Black History Month experience.
Be sure to stop by the African American Museum of Southern Arizona for an opportunity to listen to the Legacy story Tony shares about his father!
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SAVE THE DATE
Frederick Douglass' BIRTHDAY
Celebration is back: February 13th
We know you’re busy, so You can join us
virtually from anywhere in the country
Or come to the UA Library! This year we will be working on transcribing the various famous African American Diaries from the past.
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It's a party!
Help us celebrate Frederick Douglass's birthday, also known as Douglass Day, an annual global transcribe-a-thon and a collective action for Black history. Thousands of participants come together at more than 100 simultaneous events around the world to transcribe materials of Black scholars and thinkers.
The 2026 theme is “All Rights for All: Equality and the Colored Conventions Movement.” We are focusing on the struggles for citizenship, equality, and belonging from the Colored Conventions movement, a series of interconnected local, regional and national social movements towards African American abolition before, during and after the Civil War. We want to reconsider how far we have come and where we want to go. The Colored Conventions include rich historical documents and debates that speak directly to our fight today to secure and preserve our citizenship and civil rights.
Also...there will be a creative birthday cake...Last year we won!
More info is available here:
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SAVE THE DATE
EarthSeed Rising Arts Collective Presents: “We are the Art: Dandyism in America and the African Diaspora” A Celebration of Style, Resistance, and Cultural Imagination Through Visual Art.
Event Details:
- Date: Friday, February 13, 2026
- Time: 5:00 PM – 8:30 PM
- Location: Historic Dunbar Pavilion’s Art and Culture Center, 325 W. 2nd Street, Tucson, AZ 85705
- Admission: Free and open to the public; donations encouraged.
Rooted in history yet boldly forward-looking, We Are the Art explores Dandyism across America and the African Diaspora, including the influence of La SAPE (Société des Ambianceurs et des Personnes Élégantes)—the celebrated Congolese movement where fashion becomes a declaration of dignity, creativity, and cultural pride.
Guests are invited to walk the red carpet and dress to impress. Original artwork from the EarthSeed Rising Arts Collective will be available for purchase. A special feature of the evening includes a preview.
| | | | Thank You for Being Part of Our Story | | |
Moments like this remind us that our history lives through people and relationships. Grateful to share space with Bijan Robinson and our founding family—connecting generations, honoring legacy, and celebrating the power of community here in Southern Arizona. 💛
Your continued support ensures that African American history in Southern Arizona is not only remembered—but actively preserved, shared, and expanded. Together, we are building a living archive for future generations.
To learn more, attend upcoming events, support our work, or stay connected, visit aamsaz.org.
| | Underground Railroad Quilt Code Upgrade | | |
AAMSAZ Sponsors State Award at
National History Day in Arizona
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The African American Museum of Southern Arizona is proud to sponsor a State Award for National History Day in Arizona, hosted by the Arizona Historical Society, recognizing excellence in African American history.
This award honors outstanding student projects in both the Junior and Senior divisions and includes a $150 prize in each category.
The award supports the National History Day theme, “Revolution, Reaction, Reform in History,” and is presented to projects that thoughtfully document and analyze the African American experience.
Eligible topics may explore an individual, group, right, challenge, or triumph—or any subject with lasting historical significance, influence, or impact. Projects should clearly explain the importance of the topic and place it within its broader historical context.
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Tucson’s Winter Gem and Mineral Show
February 1 - 16, 2025 - SAVE THE DATE
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Each winter....Yes, it is coming! That’s when Tucson transforms into a dazzling hub for gem enthusiasts, jewelry lovers, 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 February 1 - February 16, 2025.
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Are you following us on our social media platforms?
Stay in the loop and get connected today.
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NFL Hall of Fame Announcer – Pam Oliver Inducted
Pam Oliver, a renowned sports journalist and Florida A&M University alumna, was inducted into the NFL Hall of Fame on December 16. Fox Sports celebrated Oliver’s remarkable career, where she has been a trailblazer for more than 30 years, reporting for the network since 1995. After graduating from her HBCU alma mater, Oliver began in local broadcasting before moving to national networks, covering the NFL with Fox Sports and the NBA Playoffs with TNT. Since 2014, she has served as a reporter for Fox Sports’ No. 2 NFL broadcast team.
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February 20th 70 years ago…
On This Day – February 20, 1956:
Local officials in Montgomery, Alabama, issued arrest warrants for civil rights leaders—including Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Rosa Parks, Jo Ann Robinson, and Rev. Ralph Abernathy—for organizing the Montgomery Bus Boycott. The boycott, launched in December 1955, challenged the city’s segregated bus system, which forced Black riders to give up seats, remain at the back of buses, and endure unequal service. The movement became a pivotal moment in the modern Civil Rights Movement, exposing and confronting the injustice of legalized segregation.
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Let Freedom Ring Moves to a New Venue
Let Freedom Ring, the annual Washington, D.C. concert honoring the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., has been a beloved signature event at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts for more than two decades.
Over the years, the concert has featured legendary performers such as Aretha Franklin, Gladys Knight, and Chaka Khan, accompanied by a powerful choir of singers from D.C.-area churches and Georgetown University, the event’s producer.
This year, however, Let Freedom Ring, the 2026 concert, headlined by actor and rapper Common, was not held at the Kennedy Center. Georgetown University has announced that the event moved to Washington, D.C.’s historic Howard Theatre.
Photo: Natalie Cole and music producer Nolan Williams Jr. with the Let Freedom Ring choir at the Kennedy Center in January 2015. Photo credit: Lisa Helfert/Georgetown University
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Changes to National Parks Fee-Free Days and Cultural Programming
Recent changes to the National Park Service’s fee-free calendar have removed Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Juneteenth, while adding former President Donald Trump’s birthday. The shift has sparked public conversation about equity, representation, and the role of cultural institutions in honoring American history.
These changes come amid broader actions affecting arts and cultural programming. Until March 2025, artist and educator Bamuthi Joseph served as Artistic Director for Social Impact at the Kennedy Center, where his department focused on programming for underserved communities and regularly participated in Martin Luther King Jr. Day events.
Following leadership changes in early 2025—after President Trump assumed control of the Kennedy Center and appointed new leadership—the social impact division was dissolved, and staff, including Bamuthi and his team, were laid off. President Trump has publicly criticized past programming at the Kennedy Center as “woke” and issued executive orders calling for an end to diversity initiatives in cultural programming.
Despite these changes, longtime collaborators continue their work elsewhere. Composer Nolan Williams Jr., music producer of Let Freedom Ring since 2003, has stated that he has no regrets about the event moving forward outside the Kennedy Center. These developments underscore ongoing national conversations about history, equity, and whose stories are recognized and celebrated.
| | | 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
Email: nikieiajohnson@arizona.edu
Phone: 520-621-2600
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
and our Legacy Builders
Paul and Alice Baker
Betsy Bruce
Thank you for your
unwavering support!
| Congratulations Betsy Bruce for being named the Outstanding Philanthropist by the Association of Fundraising Professionals - Southern Arizona Chapter! More to come! | | |
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 nikieiajohnson@arizona.edu.
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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 our Director at nikieiajohnson@arizona.edu to learn how you can volunteer.
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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!
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General Admission to
the museum is free!
Help us keep it that way by
Making a Donation!
Thank you!
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