Black History is Arizona History

Black history is Arizona history. It's critical to learn and teach the stories of African-Americans as an intrinsic part of Arizona's story, this Black History Month and all year round. Here are some quick resources to get started:

• The newly opened African American Museum of Southern Arizona is open for tours by appointment, and their website has a collection of oral histories, along with information, photographs and videos on everything from Black Cowboys to the all Black 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion's efforts in WWII. 
• A recent essay by Meskerem Z. Glegziabher in the Journal of Arizona History analyzes the ways in which Black people have been excluded and erased from mainstream narratives about Arizona, from myths of Old West to contemporary story-telling about cities like Phoenix.
• If you're looking for something shorter,12 News has a brief overview laying out key moments in Black history in Arizona, from education to sports to civil rights.

We also have a Wakelet with general resources for teaching and learning about Black History Month!

How do you approach teaching Black history in your classrooms? What resources have you found most helpful? Get in touch on social media or by email and let us know!