Opening and Ribbon Cutting Ceremony- January 14, 2023

In February 2021, Jeremiah “Jody,” our seven-year-old grandson, was assigned to complete a report during Black History Month on an African American Hero. He went online and then asked, “Nanu (that’s what our grandchildren call me) don’t you help people with a museum in Michigan?” I said, “Yes, I do.” Then he went on to say, “So, where is the museum I can go here in Tucson to learn about African American people who lived around here?”

I told him I would look into it and found what I already knew would probably be the case. The history of African American people, particularly around the country, is more like collections of artifacts, hearsay, documents, and things in trunks, garages, basements, and attics. Jody wanted me to know that we should have an official museum in Tucson, and I agreed! So, on April 15, 2021, I began my research.

– Beverely Elliott

Her Niece, Cornelia, who lives in Georgia, contacted the museum, to share this wonderful herstory. 

Mrs. Margaret Campbell was the first female African American novelist published in Arizona. She published her book, Iba the Dawn, which is available in UA Special Collections. She lived in the South Park neighborhood at Santa Rita and 29th Street in an underground home. Mrs. Campbell began digging to build the foundation in her home by herself and brought in workmen to complete the job. Her home had three floors, one of which housed a piano. She spoke five languages and gave piano lessons to neighborhood children.