Video by African American Museum of Southern Arizona
Watch the Full Interview
This is a recording of FireSide Chat with Stacey Snowden, the daughter of the late Fred Snowden, the first African American head coach at a major American university. In this video, Stacey shares her father’s legacy and the impact he had on Arizona’s basketball history. Find out how Fred Snowden’s hiring in the early 1970s laid the foundation for the modern era of Arizona basketball and how he created a family atmosphere among his players that still bonds them today. This chat also sheds light on the challenges and racism Fred Snowden faced as the first African American head coach and how his hiring opened doors for other African American coaches in college basketball. Don’t miss this insightful conversation about a pivotal figure in the history of University basketball.
Our wonderful Director, Beverely, was invited to speak at the Pima County Genealogy Society Monthly Meeting. Beverely shared her journey in founding the museum, detailing how it continues to evolve and preserve the community’s precious history. She also highlighted the museum’s achievements in its first year, and we take great pride and gratitude in the museum’s existence. Additionally, she shared information about the upcoming events we have planned for Black History Month.
The audience actively engaged with Beverely, posing numerous questions. It was a wonderful and engaging time! The Tucson attendees and Zoom meeting participants expressed their interest in visiting us in the coming month!
Hope you already joined us and are receiving the newsletter. We look forward to welcoming you all soon!
Our 1 Year Anniversary on January 14, 2024 was a beautiful event.
We express heartfelt gratitude to our Legacy Founder Investors for their continuous support during our inaugural year and before our museum opening. Special thanks to our Founders, Board of Directors, Advisory Board, Oral and Legacy Historians, Volunteers, Interns, Staff, and all generous donors. Your support has played a vital role in bringing cultural richness to life and creating a space that respects our traditions. Thank you for believing in our vision; your contributions will have a lasting impact. This has been a year of sharing history, learning, and community.
We also celebrate Bob and Beverely for their achievements in the Museum’s inaugural year! We commend their exemplary leadership, dedication, and philanthropy. Sincere appreciation for their unwavering commitment to preserving and promoting African American history and culture, establishing Arizona’s First African American Museum. Their visionary leadership, boundless generosity, and selfless dedication as full-time volunteer positions and legacy founders have shaped the museum into a beacon of knowledge and inspiration. May their achievements continue to inspire generations to come!
Video by African American Museum of Southern Arizona
Deanna Lewis
The First Women Firefighter in Tucson!
Deanna Lewis, originally from Albany, New York, has been a Tucsonan for 44 years. Her groundbreaking journey with the Tucson Fire Department began on January 30th, 1984, when she became its first female firefighter. As 2024 marks the 40th anniversary of this historic achievement, Deanna reflects on her impactful career.
After the combined efforts of our Executive Director Beverely, interns, and volunteers, our virtual tour is now live!
Even if you’re unable to visit the museum in person, we invite you to explore the incredible history of African Americans in Southern Arizona through our virtual tour.
For the best viewing experience, we recommend using the latest version of Chrome or Firefox browser on a computer or laptop. To enhance your experience, please switch to full-screen mode and select 4K quality for optimal image quality. While watching the video, feel free to drag your mouse or adjust the angle to view the entire museum.
If you have a VR headset, you can immerse yourself in the tour and feel like you’re truly here with us!
Virtual Tour Presenter: Beverely Elliott/Emma Márquez Peterson/Mingde Li/Jenny Li/Melora Hutcheson
After the combined efforts of our Executive Director Beverely, interns, and volunteers, our virtual tour is now live!
Even if you’re unable to visit the museum in person, we invite you to explore the incredible history of African Americans in Southern Arizona through our virtual tour.
For the best viewing experience, we recommend using the latest version of Chrome or Firefox browser on a computer or laptop. To enhance your experience, please switch to full-screen mode and select 4K quality for optimal image quality. While watching the video, feel free to drag your mouse or adjust the angle to view the entire museum.
If you have a VR headset, you can immerse yourself in the tour and feel like you’re truly here with us!
Virtual Tour Presenter: Beverely Elliott/Emma Márquez Peterson/Mingde Li/Jenny Li/Melora Hutcheson