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Updates from the E.D.
Over the past few weeks, we have been planning and collaborating with the community to celebrate Black History Month. Listen to some of the Oral Histories and Legacy Stories that we have collected to share with the community. So many of these stories are uplifting and, like life, include some struggles. We are passionate about gathering these stories, oftentimes told for the first time, so that they are preserved and so that they are shared with you!
I am excited that these histories are often connected. Some stories connect from across the U.S. For example, the story about Ms. Margaret Campbell, the first African American woman to publish a book in Arizona. Her niece, Cornelia, in Georgia shared with us Ms. Campbell’s history, photos, and thoughts via her letters and writings.
I love talking to long-time friend and native Tucsonan, Rosanne Neal, who connected us to Delano Price and attorney Rubin Salter. We hope to gather her oral history and that of her family soon. I love how our community is so connected. This connection told us that YES Phase II is ready to begin. We are ready to gather more oral stories and legacy stories. This time, Cox Communications will assist us as we continue to collect the stories.
We have been adding to our collections, also. Ms. Stacey Snowden and Mr. Frank Bothwell have loaned us a few of the items that we currently have on display. Mr. Alex Perakis, a Tucson numismatist or coin collector, donated coins featuring Booker T. Washington, George Washington Carver, and Jackie Robinson.
If you have a story or know someone who we should talk to, please contact us to let us know.
Sincerely,
Beverely Elliott, Executive Director
African American Museum of Southern Arizona (AAMSAZ)
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Celebrate and Reflect!
Celebrate and reflect on the rich and vibrant culture of African Americans and their numerous contributions throughout the history of the United States. Visit and buy locally at a Black own business. Try some soul food! Check out these resources related to Black History Month and dedicated websites:
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You can now find AAMSAZ listed on Visit Tucson
We recently became a partner with
Visit Tucson and are now listed as a place to visit in the Old Pueblo!
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Congratulations Ernie McCray!
Former alumnus and outstanding Arizona basketball player, Ernie McCray, was officially inducted into the Wildcat Ring of Honor on January 21, 2023!
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Video by Arizona Wildcats. | |
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Congratulations…AAMSAZ Board Member, Richard Davis
Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated
The University of Arizona’s Order of Omega’s Greek Hall of Fame announced 5 alumni for the Class of 2023. As one of the Arizona Greek Community's highest honors, the Order of Omega Greek Hall of Fame Award recognizes those fraternity/sorority alumni whose exemplary life achievements have brought great honor and prestige. Richard arrived in Tucson in 1963 as a United States Air Force member. In 1965, he enrolled as a student at the University of Arizona on a football and track scholarship. He received his undergraduate degree and then his J.D. from the College of Law in 1972. He formed the Black Student Union and served as its first president. In 1968, he chartered the Zeta Theta Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated. Additionally, Richard established the New Start Summer Program, which aids high school students as they transition to academic careers. We are so proud!
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In case you missed it...there was a Ribbon Cutting for AAMSAZ
Thank you for your support!
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We are so excited and grateful to all the communities of support including Tucson, the University of Arizona, Phoenix, and the Southern Arizona Community who assisted us with Phase I of AAMSAZ as we opened our doors to the public on Saturday, January 14, 2023. We had over 350 people pass through the museum in 2.5 hours. Thank you again to the UArizona Facilities Management team who we could not have done this without…Chris, Charlie, Steve, David, and Yoda... :) Rog and everyone on that team! Also, a shoutout and big thanks to the President of UArizona, Dr. Robert Robbins, for his approval and support and to Dr. Lehman Benson, Adia Barnes, Thomas Harris, Tina L. Johnson, and the AAMSAZ Board! | |
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It’s Still Here
The Equal Rights Amendment, which guarantees equal legal rights regardless of gender, was first introduced in 1923, though it didn’t pass Congress until 1972. However, the controversy surrounding it stopped many states from ratifying the amendment. It remains unratified today, nearly a century after it was introduced. This Little Light – Let it Shine – on Injustice, discrimination, and inequities. Last month AAMSAZ Executive Director Beverely Elliott spoke at the Kol Ami Reformed Synagogue about AAMSAZ and social justice. Anti-Semitism and blatant racism has been there, but it seems now there is empowerment where there is hate. As African Americans, we are well of aware of this. As humans, we are in the battle together with all people. Let’s all shine some light on this.
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Plan to visit AAMSAZ soon, but note upcoming CLOSURE dates.
AAMSAZ is closed when the University of Arizona is closed or not in session.
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2/23 -2/26 - AAMSAZ is CLOSED. Enjoy the Tucson Rodeo and cheer on the Buffalo Soldiers.
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3/1 – 3/6 - AAMSAZ is CLOSED. Enjoy the Tucson Festival of Books!
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3/2 - 3/12 - AAMSAZ is CLOSED as UArizona celebrates its Spring Break. The museum will re-open on Wednesday, March 15.
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Arizona Preservation Book Club
The Arizona Preservation Foundation, Arizona State Historic Preservation Office, preservation advocates, history enthusiasts, and book lovers are coming together for the first Arizona Preservation Book Club event on Thursday, February 9, 2023, at 7 PM via Zoom. They will discuss "How the Word is Passed" by Clint Smith, American writer, poet, and scholar. The moderator will be Dr. Anthony Pratcher II, Assistant Teaching Professor and Honors Faculty Fellow in Barrett, the Honors College, at Arizona State University. Register and RSVP to join the discussion.
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Review Clint Smith's bio and Anthony Pratcher's bio. Order the book at Changing Hands Bookstore or pick up a copy at your local library. "A deeply researched and transporting exploration of the legacy of slavery and its imprint on centuries of American history, "How the Word Is Passed" illustrates how some of our country's most essential stories are hidden in plain view – whether in places we might drive by on our way to work, holidays such as Juneteenth, or entire neighborhoods like downtown Manhattan, where the brutal history of the trade in enslaved men, women, and children has been deeply imprinted."
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Musical Melodies
JOIN US!
Friday, February 10, 2023
5:30-7:30 p.m.
Tucson High School, Main Auditorium, 400 N 2nd Ave, Tucson, AZ
Free Admission
Join the Tucson High African American Culture Club and the African American Museum of Southern Arizona for an evening of Musical Melodies featuring the Tucson High Jazz Band, Morani Sanders Quartet, and Angel Spencer.
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Mardi Gras or Carnival
Mardi Gras or Carnival (use a little French accent) is celebrated in cities around the world. Many people travel the French Quarter in New Orleans, Louisiana, although places like Rio de Janiero, Brazil have festivities that are just as extravagant. If you can't make it to either of those locations for Fat Tuesday on February 21, 2023, celebrate Mardi Gras with a delicious king cake shared amongst your friends.
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AAMSAZ is closed when the University of Arizona is closed or not in session.
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March is Women’s History Month
Let’s talk about the Women’s Plaza of Honor on the Campus of the University of Arizona. We hope that you have visited, as it is a truly peaceful place. If you have not visited, stop by in person or visit online at Women's Plaza of Honor and African American Women’s Arch. Did you know that there is that there’s a bench on the Plaza that honors former 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 female to sit on the Supreme Court. Most of us know the questions that she was asked and had to endure in order to be confirmed. Help us raise the $15,000 for the bench in her honor. Shhh…this is the silent phase of our fundraising, but if you are interested in supporting, please email me at aamuseumofsouthernaz@gmail.com. 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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Hair discrimination - past and present
The CROWN Act exhibit at the museum speaks about the past and the present - discrimination in hiring and employment practices based on natural hair texture and protective hairstyles. In December 2022, Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) took the Crown Act bill to the U.S. Senate Floor and made the case for passage of the CROWN Act by unanimous consent. Disappointingly, the bill did not pass to become Federal law...at this time. However, supporters of the Crown Act will continue to advocate for the bill.
This important work is a legislative and cultural movement. We are a movement, not just a museum and must keep the momentum of the Crown Act movement going. We need your support and your voice to help pass the Crown Act. Please share #PassTheCROWN to support the CROWN Act petition across your social networks and encourage others to do the same. Contact your Arizona Senators - Mark Kelly and Kyrsten Sinema - to tell them to pass the CROWN Act! Together, let's end hair discrimination!
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Harvard has a Black Woman President - Claudine Gay
Just in case you didn’t know…. Harvard is the country’s oldest and one of the most prestigious universities in the world.
The 30th President of Harvard University is Claudine Gay, a Black female and the 2nd female to be the president of the university. Harvard has been educating people since 1636, but in December 2022 hired the former Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences to take over as its president in 2023.
Recently Harvard campaigned to raise 100 million dollars to address their old rule in support of slavery. This promotion happened in the middle of how Harvard is reckoning and reconciling with their contribution to slavery and systemic marginalization of African Americans in the United States.
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Madam Clerk
Ms. Cheryl Johnson is the 117th U.S. House Clerk. The US House Clerk position is elected by lawmakers every two years when the House gathers for a new Congress. House members have accidentally called her Madam Speaker instead of Madam Clerk. The Clerk is in charge of the House until it elects a Speaker of the House. Johnson is a New Orleans native and holds a Law Degree from Howard University. She is only the second African American in this Clerk position.
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The Honorable John Lewis to be honored with U.S. postage stamp
The U.S. Postal Service announced in December 2022 that the late civil rights icon, U.S. Representative John Lewis, will be honored with a postage stamp in 2023. Remember to get your stamps when they become available.
"Lewis spent more than 30 years in Congress steadfastly defending and building on key civil rights gains that he had helped achieve in the 1960s. Even in the face of hatred and violence, as well as some 45 arrests, Lewis remained resolute in his commitment to what he liked to call 'good trouble,'" USPS said in a news release.
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Find AAMSAZ on Facebook and Twitter.
Use #aamsaz and #aams_AZ on your social media posts.
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