Museum Updates - Celebrations and Graduations | |
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Where I grew up, June 1st was the first day that it really felt warm enough to start wearing shorts and sandals. In any case, June is a great month for celebrations and graduations. We are celebrating new display cases, exhibits, and updated and new labels at the museum. We are taking small steps as we progress to document and digitize every item. We have had some amazing items donated in the past few months. We are excited to have added a mannequin sporting the Buffalo Soldiers uniform on display complete with gauntlets and boots.
We completed grant reports and are truly grateful for the support from PNC and the African American Legacy Fund (Community Foundation of Southern Arizona). The grant reports were due at the same time. Whew! I have to say I could not have completed that, written a newsletter, attended meetings for various organizations, made over 10 presentations for the museum, and ordered items needed for the museum and visitors without the help of our interns, volunteers, and others. Thank you, Jenn, Jenny, and Emma for a semester of hard work bringing the museum to fruition as we learn together and present a quality product sharing the stories of our African American community.
We are grateful and proud to announce that we have once again received a $10,000 grant from the “African American Legacy Fund” a fund of the Community Foundation for Southern Arizona.” Thank you!
Let's celebrate all fathers on June 18th. Happy Father’s Day! Remember, Father’s Day isn’t just for those who raise their own children. It’s also for fathers who help raise other children - coaches, aunts, uncles, tias, tios, grandparents, Godparents, friends, and more. It takes a village! Oh, and let’s celebrate those fathers raising fur-babies like Kim & Kenny in Michigan who have a puppy that, they say, is my fur-nephew!
Sincerely,
Beverely Elliott, Executive Director
African American Museum of Southern Arizona (AAMSAZ)
“We are a movement, not just a museum.”
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University of Arizona 2023 Graduation Highlights |  | |
The University of Arizona conferred about 8,000 degrees in the evening on May 12, 2023 on the field of the Arizona Stadium with almost 30,000 people in attendance. Additionally, they recognized several awards including Amy Zuckerman who received the Doctor of Humane Letters from the Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health. The Zuckerman Foundation is a Legacy Founding Supporter/Donor of the African American Museum of Southern Arizona. AAMSAZ co-founders, Bob and Beverely Elliott, were recognized for their philanthropy, dedication to UArizona, and volunteer work. Both Beverely and Bob received the Alumni Achievement Award, the highest honor bestowed on a UArizona alumnus.
The evening was special as Dr. Bryan Carter, Digital Humanities, led the processional followed by the keynote speaker, the Honorable Michael Tubbs (79th mayor of Stockton, CA from 2017 to 2021). People of color were everywhere. Dean of Students, Kendal Washington-White, was on the dais and Dr. Lehman Benson held down the fort at the President’s reception. Deans Robert Berry (Education), Iman Hakim (Public Health), and Karthik Kannan (Eller Business) were present. Just to name a few. We also meet Shane Burgess, the V.P. for ALVSCE and Charles-Sander Dean of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. It was a night to remember!
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Virtual Tour and 360 Video Coming Soon! | |
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Even if you are unable to visit AAMSAZ, we are committed to sharing the stories with everyone. Through our Virtual Tour, you can access and experience video and audio introductions with meaningful information about the exhibits. Discover a diverse collection showcasing stories about the CROWN Act, Coach Fred Snowden, Coin Collections, Family History, Quilt Code Collection, Quincie Douglas, Ruby Bridges, and Thomas Blackshear.
Coming in July: Stay tuned for an engaging museum experience as we launch our immersive 360-degree virtual tour video!
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A Bench on the UArizona Campus for U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson
Let’s talk about the Women’s Plaza of Honor on the University of Arizona campus. We hope that you have visited, 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’s a bench on the Plaza that honors former Supreme Court Justice RBG? AAMSAZ is 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. Most of us know the questions that she was asked and had to endure in order to be confirmed. Please help us raise the $15,000 for the bench in her honor. Any amount helps even if you want to be a sponsor. Please be sure to note that your donation is for the Ketanji Brown Jackson bench.
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Tucson Juneteenth activities for your calendar!
AAMSAZ supports the Tucson Juneteenth Festival Committee! You won't want to miss these:
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For the Juneteenth Kickoff Celebration, the Tucson Juneteenth Festival And Still, We Rise! in association with Alive Productions presents Evelyn Champagne King on Saturday, June 10th at 8 pm at the Dunbar Pavilion at 325 West 2nd Street in Tucson, AZ. Tickets available at Eventbrite.com or contact DJ Mista T at 520-282-3566 for more information.
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Celebrate at the first annual Juneteenth Mass Choir of Tucson concert on Sunday, June 11, 3-6 PM. Join in for songs of praise at the gospel jubilee at the Pima College West - Proscenium Theater, 2202 W. Anklam Road. Free food and fellowship from 1- 2:30 pm prior to the concert. Visit TUCSONJUNE19.ORG to sign up to be a vendor or entertainer.
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Join us at the 53rd annual Juneteenth Festival on Saturday, June 17th, from 1:00 pm to 9:00 pm at the Kino Sports Complex! There will be live entertainment, retail booths, job vendors, car show, food, drinks, a kids zone, and free toys.
- Gilbert Parks and Recreation has announced the upcoming Juneteenth Celebration Event in Gilbert, AZ. Austyn Ruppel, the Recreation Specialist for Special Events, shared with us that the event would occur on June 19th from 10 am to 2 pm, both inside and outside the Southeast Regional Library. Please enjoy the day!
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Exclusive Screening at The Loft Cinema
Join us on June 15, 2023, at The Loft Cinema (1900 E. Speedway Blvd.) for the exclusive screening of "Making Black America: Through the Grapevine." Presented by Bank of America in collaboration with Dr. Henry Louis “Skip” Gates, Stacey L. Holman, Shayla Harris, and PBS. The event starts at 5:00 PM with a dinner ($15 each) where you can meet with special guests, including Bank of America executives and local historians, followed by the free screening at 6:00 PM.
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Beyond Legacy: The Next Generation of Justice and Action in the 21st Century
The UArizona Beyond Juneteenth Committee will host the Beyond Legacy, a Juneteenth Celebration on June 19, 2023 at Centennial Hall for an exclusive Fireside Chat with two extraordinary guests: Rev. Dr. Bernice King, strategist, peace advocate, and daughter of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Mrs. Coretta Scott King and Professor Ilyasah Shabazz, award winning author, educator, and daughter of Malcom X and Dr. Betty Shabazz. Doors open at 6:30 pm.
This event is FREE. However, tickets must be requested through Ticketmaster - student, community, and group tickets are available.
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Don't miss this free special event! Visit BEYONDJUNETEENTH.ARIZONA.EDU for more info on tickets and the event. | | |
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National Safety Month – AAA offers safety tips!
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Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month – Raise awareness for brain health!
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National Iced Tea Month – Try Arnold Palmers or hibiscus tea! (great for the red celebration of Juneteenth!): African hibiscus tea is called Bissap juice in Senegal and Gambia, Sobolo in Ghana, and Karkade in parts of Northern Africa, especially Egypt, where it is a ceremonial drink.
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More in June
Join us at the 53rd annual Tucson Juneteenth Festival on Saturday, June 17th, 1:00 pm to 9:00 pm at the Kino Sports Complex where there will be live entertainment, retail booths, job vendors, a car show, food, drinks, a kids' zone, and free toys.
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Honoring Juneteenth: Camp Naco Open House!
Brooks Jeffery, the Strategic Planning Consultant for Camp Naco, announced that Camp Naco will host an Open House on Saturday, June 24, 2023, to celebrate Juneteenth from 10 am to 2 pm. Save the date and spread the word! Camp Naco is located at W. Newell Street in Bisbee, AZ.
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Our Legacy Founder Donors | | |
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Thank you, our Legacy Founder Investors, and Sponsors
COX, TEP,
Elliott Family Charity, and Zuckerman Family Foundation
for your unwavering support!
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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. 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.
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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.
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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.
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Email us to join the AAMSAZ newsletter email list.
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Please know that we do not share or distribute emails that we receive. | | |
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Usher Receives Honorary Doctorate from Berklee
Usher receives Honorary Doctorate Degree from Boston’s prestigious Berklee College Of Music. Usher has continued to re-invent himself, and after serving on the panel of “The Voice” and having a residency in Las Vegas, he has sparked an interest in the younger generation!
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Supporting Hockey for African American Youth
In sticking with the music scene: Snoop Dogg wants our young people to know that ‘Here’s Another Option.’ The music Icon, who says he’s been a fan for over 20 years, wants young African American people to know that he supports hockey and has put a bid in to purchase an NHL ..yes, a National Hockey League team! Snoop is working with several investors. He wants African American kids to learn and love to skate!
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Find AAMSAZ on Facebook and Twitter. Use #aamsaz and #aams_AZ on your social media posts. | | | | |
