AAMSAZ Updates from the E.D.

We truly hope that you enjoyed your holidays! We have been busy planning and organizing. Please join us on Saturday, January 14, 2023, from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM for the AAMSAZ Opening and Ribbon Cutting ceremony at the University of Arizona Student Union, Room 244. Please note that visits to AAMSAZ will be available by appointments only, until we have a few more trained interns and volunteers. Thank you for your patience and understanding. When I think about beautiful Southern Arizona, I feel it is far more than a place or a space. It is you in Southern Arizona and many others throughout the United States that help to create a unique community. We are truly grateful for all of our supporters, members, donors, and sponsors who have helped us reach this point where we are preserving American history – African American and Black history! Highlighting the rich, vibrant African American and Black culture and impactful stories that come alive with power and amazement, AAMAZ plans to inspire and educate its visitors. Yes, we still have much more to do, but we are grateful and hopeful as we begin this new year - our second year. As you may know, it usually takes many years for museums to really get off the ground and established. We welcome hearing from you and hope you feel comfortable connecting with us if you want to share artifacts or stories or know someone who we should interview. With your help, we will continue to grow and spread the message of the African American and Black history of Southern Arizona.

Sincerely,

Beverely Elliott, Executive Director

African American Museum of Southern Arizona (AAMSAZ)

“We are a movement, not just a museum.”

News & Activities

Look who visited AAMSAZ as our first guests!

University of Arizona Women’s Basketball Lady Cats were our first guests to the museum. Thank you team, Thomas Harris, and Coach Adia Barnes! Thank you PAC 12 for your HBCU Initiative! We had a wonderful time touring AAMSAZ which included presentations on the Buffalo Soldiers by Mr. Frank Bothwell and the Juneteenth Committee President Larry Starks; the Crown Act and recent legislation information by Ms. Kimberlee Avant; the History of Coach Fred Snowden by UA basketball legend, Bob Elliott; and Know Your Genealogy by Beverely Elliott.

Congrats! AAMSAZ awarded funding for tourism in Pima County

Pima County Supervisors approve $50K in funding for Tourism-related agencies in December 2022. The Outside Agency Program provides funding to nonprofit community agencies to assist events, celebrations and programs which support tourism in Pima County. A one-time funding will provide $10,000 awards to five agencies: Tucson Botanical Gardens, African American Museum of Southern Arizona, Tohono Chul, Tucson Rodeo Parade Museum, and Cienega Watershed Partnership.

HSL Tucson Jazz Festival

January 13-22, 2023

Don’t miss it! More than 20 world class performers will appear over the 9-day festival in a variety of Tucson venues both indoor and outdoor. The Tucson Jazz Festival was created to influence the discovery and celebration of live jazz performance and music education.

Tucson Celebrates MLK, Jr. Day

January 16, 2023

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day on January 16, 2023 is a day on, not a day off. It's a Day of Service!

8:00 AM, MLK Parade– UArizona “The Bridge” on MLK, Jr. Way & 36th Street

10:00 AM – 3:00 PM, “Celebration in the Park”, Reid Park outdoor performance center, 900 S. Alvernon Way

Nogales Buffalo Soldiers Historic Salute, January 28, 2023

The Nogales Buffalo Soldiers Legacy Association is dedicated to honoring the memory of the distinguished All-Black 25th Infantry and 10th Cavalry Regiments of the U.S. Army known as the Buffalo Soldiers. The Association is comprised of descendants and friends of Buffalo Soldiers that served at Camp Stephen Little, Arizona from 1910-1933.

Tucson gems, minerals, and fossils

Jan. 28-Feb. 12

Tucson Gem, Mineral & Fossil Showcase. Check out visittucson.org for more info.

February 9-12

Tucson Gem and Mi neral Show. The Tucson Gem and Mineral Society presents the 68th Tucson Gem and Mineral Show, “SILICA - Agates and Opals and Quartz, Oh My!”

February is Black History Month

Celebrate and reflect on the culture of African Americans and their contributions throughout history.

Fireside Chat with Stacey Snowden

Friday, February 3, 2023

Join AAMSAZ at The Loft Cinema at 3233 E. Speedway in Tucson for the Fireside Chat with Stacey Snowden as she commemorates the 50th Anniversary of her father Coach Fred Snowden. Also, there will be panel discussions including a community members panel and a players panel. Fred Snowden was a University of Arizona men's basketball Coach and the First African American basketball Head Coach in the NCAA I.

General Admission: $25

5:00-5:45 PM purchase snacks and award winning food from Ken’s Hardwood Barbecue food truck.

6:00 PM the program begins promptly. Enjoy photos, music, fun, and a clip from the upcoming Coach Fred Snowden documentary!

Sponsor opportunities available.

1/15-21 – Hunt for Happiness Week
1/14 – African American Museum of Southern Arizona Opening and ribbon cutting
1/16 – Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day, A day on, not a day off
1/18 – Museum Selfie Day started by London blogger Mar Dixon
1/22 – Lunar New Year, Year of the Rabbit
1/28-2/12 – Tucson Gem, Mineral & Fossil Showcase
2/3 – A Fireside Chat with Stacey Snowden
2/9-12 – Tucson Gem and Mineral Show
2/10 – Musical Melodies for the Museum
3/4-5 – Tucson Festival of Books

Tucson Festival of Books - March 4-5, 2023

The Tucson Festival of Books is a community-wide celebration of literature that will be held on the University of Arizona campus. The festival exists to improve literacy rates among children and adults. Volunteers Needed! All festival events are free and open to the public.

Now You Know!

Lights! Caramel! Action!

Ben and Jerry’s Ice Cream has always spoken up for social justice! This time it is in collaboration with Film maker, Civil Rights Activist, and Director Ava DuVernay. She will be the first African American Woman to grace a Pint carton of Ben and Jerry’s Ice Cream – vanilla ice cream with salted caramel swirls, Graham cracker swirls & gobs of chocolate chip cookie dough!

Giving and Sharing

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 related collection that you want to donate to AAMSAZ? Let's connect. Please email us and let us know at [email protected].
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