One-Year Celebration

Sunday, January 14, 2024

The African American Museum of Southern Arizona will be commemorating the first anniversary of our grand opening.

Join us as we look back on a year of growth, community support, and impactful exhibitions.

Black History Month

Carlotta Walls is coming to Tucson! 

Friday, February 9, 2024

She is the Youngest of the Little Rock Nine, civil rights advocate, National Women’s Hall of Fame inductee.

Join us for the 65th anniversary celebration of the Little Rock Nine’s historic efforts in desegregating Central High School. 

Hear her story, slides, video clips, and read her book.

The African American Museum of Southern Arizona was honored to welcome Carlotta Walls LaNier, the youngest member of the historic Little Rock Nine, as the featured guest for our February 9, 2024 Fireside Chat.

In 1957, at just fourteen years old, Carlotta Walls LaNier became one of the first African American students to integrate Little Rock Central High School in Arkansas following the landmark Brown v. Board of Education decision. The Little Rock Nine faced hostility, threats, and national attention as they courageously challenged segregation in public education and helped change the course of American history.

During her visit to Tucson, Ms. Walls LaNier shared reflections about courage, perseverance, and the importance of education and equality. Guests were deeply moved as she spoke about the inspiration she drew from Rosa Parks and the 1955 Montgomery Bus Boycott. Hearing of Parks’ refusal to surrender her bus seat inspired Carlotta to pursue an education at Central High School despite the dangers and opposition she would face.

Ms. Walls LaNier also graciously paused during the morning book signing to remember a painful chapter in her family’s history. Her visit was an anniversary …On February 9, 1960, exactly sixty-four years earlier, two sticks of dynamite were placed at her family home in Little Rock. The explosion destroyed windows and damaged the home while Carlotta, her mother, and sisters were inside. Thankfully, no one was injured. Despite the violence and intimidation, she continued attending Central High School, later becoming the first African American female graduate of the school.

Born to Juanita and Cartelyou Walls, Carlotta was raised in a family that valued hard work, dignity, and opportunity. Her father, a World War II veteran and skilled brick mason, and her mother, a public housing secretary, purchased their family home after his return from military service in 1945 — a home that would later become a symbol of both resilience and sacrifice during the Civil Rights Movement.

Ms. Walls LaNier’s courage and leadership have been recognized nationally. In 1999, she and the other members of the Little Rock Nine were awarded the Congressional Gold Medal by President Bill Clinton. She was later inducted into the Colorado Women’s Hall of Fame in 2004 and the National Women’s Hall of Fame in 2015.

The African American Museum of Southern Arizona is grateful to Ms. Walls LaNier for sharing her story, her wisdom, and her enduring message of hope and determination with our Tucson community.