AAMSAZ Updates from the E.D.

The past month was a busy one and it’s getting busier with each day. We have been working with the UArizona Facilities Management team lead by Chris Kopach! Chris and his MIGHTY team completed the general layout and design of the main room of the museum. We selected paint, carpet, and signage all while staying within code, designing display cases, and working on a lot more. We are close, but we are not quite open yet. Let us know if you are interested in volunteering at the museum. AAMSAZ launched virtually on December 30, 2021. Thanks to the support of so many people, AAMSAZ will soon have a physical space. We are using funds from the African American Legacy Fund Grant (Southern Arizona Community Foundation) to help enhance AAMSAZ technology including adding large monitors for educational videos to exhibit African American history in Arizona, Legacy Stories, and Oral Histories.

Yes, we are busy, but we are still excited that the holidays are here. Before you know it, we will be bringing in the new year - 2023. We truly want to wish you and yours a very wonderful "Happy Holidays!"

Sincerely,

Beverely Elliott, Executive Director

African American Museum of Southern Arizona (AAMSAZ)

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

News & Activities

AAMSAZ Opening Soon!

AAMSAZ is not open yet. But when you are on the University of Arizona main campus, take a peek through the front entrance window of Room 244 in the UA Memorial Student Union. A huge "Thank you" to the UA Foundation, UA President, Dr. Robert Robbins, UA Facilities Management, volunteers, and the Tucson and UArizona communities for helping to make a physical space for AAMSAZ a reality. The AAMSAZ front entrance is looking good and the exhibitions are coming together. Thank you for your patience!

UArizona Internship Fair

AAMSAZ Board Chair Bob Elliott, Executive Director Beverely Elliott, and Advisory Board member Tina Johnson recently attended a UArizona Internship Fair to encourage students to intern and assist the museum with graphic design, museum design, historical research, documentation, digitization, and more. Many potential interns stopped by the AAMSAZ booth. Twenty students signed up interested in interning with the museum. Let's see who we can bring onboard!

Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day

AAA, the Title Sponsor for the Fireside Chat with Ruby Bridges, confirmed that on November 14, 2022 over 380,000 students participated in the Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day in 46 states and 1,100 schools registered and participated across the U.S.. In Southern Arizona, 15 schools participated from the Tucson Unified School District, Sierra Vista Unified School District, and Agua Fria School District. Ms. Bridges wants classrooms to start “A Day of Dialogue” with their students about inclusion and friendship with the Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day.

Fireside Chat with Ruby Bridges

On November 17, 2022, AAMSAZ provided the community with a memorable event when we hosted civil rights icon, Ruby Bridges. The event marked a historic point in Southern Arizona as Ruby Bridges shared her story and made herstory!

Thank you AAA, United Way of Tucson and Southern Arizona, UA Office of the President, Tucson Unified School District, TUSD African American Student Services, TEP, Arizona Athletics, University of Arizona Foundation, Cox Communications, Ken’s Hardwood Barbecue, Southwest Gas, and many other contributing sponsors. Download the event program of the evening. A huge heartfelt “Thank You” to Palo Verde High Magnet School Principal Eric Brock, Band Director Vanessa Eastman, and the PVHS custodial staff especially Ray and Denise. Thank you to the many volunteers who helped to make the event a success including Tina Johnson AAMSAZ Advisory Board member, Liana Sharp with the United Way of Tucson and Southern Arizona, and the Palo Verde HS Band student volunteers.

Take a look at photos that Joe Jackson took during the VIP reception and the Fireside Chat held at Palo Verde High Magnet School.

Success! Black Saturday Marketplace

On November 26th, we celebrated Small Business Saturday at the Black Saturday Marketplace. It was truly wonderful to see the community throughout the day coming by to shop and support Tucson local small businesses. Thank you to everyone who supported! The event was hosted by AAMSAZ and The Juneteenth Festival, Inc.

Mapping Racist Covenants (MRC) Project – UArizona Partners

The MRC project tells the story of racist covenants across Tucson neighborhoods and subdivisions, focusing on those enacted between 1912-1950. Beginning in the early 1900’s, covenants, conditions, and restrictions (CC&R) were used to create racially restrictive neighborhoods across the U.S. To share your experience with a CC&R, contact Claire Holloway or Prof. Jason Jurjevich. AAMSAZ looks forward to sharing the outcome of the MRC project with the community.

Fireside Chat with Stacey Snowden

Fred Snowden was a University of Arizona men's basketball Coach and the first African American basketball Head Coach in the NCAA I.

Join AAMSAZ at The Loft Theater at 3233 E. Speedway on 2/3/2023 for the Fireside Chat with Stacey Snowden.

The reception is 5:00-5:45 pm with food provided by Ken’s Hardwood Barbecue.

The program begins promptly at 6 PM. Stacey Snowden will share photos, videos, and conversation as she commemorates her father, Coach Fred Snowden.

Sponsor opportunities available beginning in early January! Contact AAMSAZ for more information.

December is National Safe Toys and Gifts Month
12/18–26 – Hanukkah
12/21 – Winter Solstice
12/25 – Christmas Day
12/26–1/1 – Kwanzaa
12/31 – New Year’s Eve
January 1, 2023 – New Year’s Day
January 16, 2023 – Tucson MLK Jr. Day March and Celebration by the MLK Committee. The march will start at UArizona “The Bridge” (Kino Parkway & 36th Street) on MLK, Jr. Way at 8:30 a.m. and will end at Reid Park. The celebration will be approximately 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
February 3, 2023: A Fireside Chat with Stacey Snowden – Stacey Snowden shares insights about her dad, Coach Fred Snowden.
February 10, 2023: Musical Melodies for the Museum – A fundraiser to support AAMSAZ. More info coming soon.

Now You Know!

Ernest J. Gaines

Ernest J. Gaines wearing his trademark beret will be featured on a January 2023 postage stamp as the 46th stamp of the United States Postal Services Black Heritage Series. Gaines, a Pulitzer Prize Nominee, was selected by the Oprah Winfrey’s popular book club and also earned a National Book Critics Circle Award. There was a movie based on Gaines’ most notable book, “The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman.” .

Lena Horne Theater

The late Lena Horne is the first Black woman to have a theater named in her honor. The Nederlander Organization unveiled Broadway's new Lena Horne Theatre on West 47th Street in New York City. The historic building was built in 1926 and was originally named the Mansfield Theatre. Lena Horne visited Fort Huachuca in Arizona on several occasions.

US Rep. Karen Bass - Making History

US Representative Karen Bass has made history! Bass was elected Mayor of Los Angeles, CA. She is the first African American woman elected as Mayor in Los Angeles’ 241-year history. Bass is a six-term congresswoman and had more votes than any mayoral candidate in Los Angeles’ history. Vice President Kamala Harris will swear in Karen Bass as the 43rd Mayor of Los Angeles.

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 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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