If you’re curious about places to learn about Black history in Arizona, these sites offer an invitation to pause, look a little closer, and connect with stories that helped shape the state — stories that are sometimes easy to miss.
Arizona’s African American history holds more surprises than many people realize. The state ended racial segregation in its public schools before the landmark Brown v. Board of Education ruling, and Martin Luther King, Jr. spoke in Phoenix in the 1960s. Knowing where to learn Black history in Arizona through places like these adds depth and meaning to those facts, especially at a time when understanding our shared history feels more important than ever.
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Places to Learn About Black History in Arizona — Central & Phoenix Area
1.) Phoenix: Historic Tanner Chapel AME Church
Tanner Chapel African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church is the only church in Arizona where Martin Luther King, Jr. is known to have delivered a speech. The building was completed in 1929 and is listed in the Phoenix Historic Property Register, one of only fourteen properties in Phoenix, to receive the prestigious landmark status. The historic church is an important part of history in Arizona.
The congregation, first organized in 1886, gathers for Sunday worship at 7:45 am, and 10:45 am where one of the most important African Americans in history preached.
After the service, have Sunday dinner at Mrs. White’s Golden Rule Café and discuss famous African American black history over home-style Southern and soul food. The family-owned restaurant has been here since the 1960s.
Places to Learn About Black History in Arizona – Phoenix
Tanner Chapel African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church 20 S. 8th Street in Phoenix between Washington and Jefferson Streets | www.tannerchapel.org
Hear Martin Luther King Jr. speak at the historic Tanner Chapel in an audio recording for a slice of famous black history here.
Learn more about the civil rights leader by reading The Autobiography of Martin Luther King, Jr.
2.) Casa Grande: Rebecca Dallis Schoolhouse (Southside Segregated School)
Tucked into Casa Grande history is a sobering, important stop: the Southside Colored Schoolhouse, a one-room school created for Black children during segregation. In late 1934, the city opened the Southside Colored School, and teacher Rebecca Dallis became the steady force who made sure her students received the strongest education possible in a system that didn’t make it easy.
In that single classroom, she taught as many as 70 children—kindergarten through 8th grade—covering reading, writing, arithmetic, plus music and sewing. She even taught outdoors when needed to manage noise and space. And when Black students weren’t provided a public high school education, Dallis was known to teach high school in her home. Segregation in Casa Grande schools continued until 1962.
Places to Learn Black History in Arizona – Casa Grande
The Museum of Casa Grande (Casa Grande Valley Historical Society & Museum) 110 W. Florence Blvd., Casa Grande, AZ 85122 | tmocg.org
Places to Learn About Black History in Arizona — Tucson & Southern Arizona
3.) Tucson: Dunbar Pavilion African American Arts & Cultural Center
Tucson’s first and only segregated schools for African-Americans is home to Dunbar Pavilion, an African American Arts and Cultural Center. The Paul Lawrence Dunbar School, built in 1918, is now on the National Register of Historic Places. The segregated school was named for Paul Laurence Dunbar, the African-American poet. Review his poetry here.
“Hope is tenacious. It goes on living and working when science has dealt it what should be its deathblow.” — Paul Laurence Dunbar
Arizona desegregated its schools a year before the landmark Supreme Court decision, Brown v. Board of Education in 1954 is not a well-known fact of African American black history.
Places to Learn Black History in Arizona – Tucson
Dunbar Pavillion 325 W 2nd St, Tucson | Sign up to take a tour at thedunbartucson.org
Read on for more thought-provoking facts about black history in Arizona…
4.) Tucson: African American Museum of Southern Arizona
As one of the newest museums in Arizona, the African American Museum of Southern Arizona opened its doors on the University of Arizona campus in January 2023.
This is one of the best places in Arizona to learn about Black history with collections, talks and events. Visit Wednesday through Saturday from 10 am to 4 pm except for winter break and federal holidays.
I recommend that you sign up for a guided tour!
Where to Learn Black History in Arizona – Tucson
African American Museum of Southern Arizona 1303 E University Blvd, Room 244, Tucson, AZ
5.) Sierra Vista: Fort Huachuca Museum
After the Civil War, black men moved out of the South and away from slavery to make new lives for themselves and their families.
Many first came to the Southwest via the Underground Railroad or as Buffalo Soldiers, one of the Army’s elite black cavalry corps. Buffalo Soldiers are key parts of Afro-American history in Arizona.
At Fort Huachuca Museum, located in what is now a National Historic Landmark and active military base, you’ll discover how the fort became the base for the 10th Cavalry Regiment in 1913.
The famed 10th Cavalry was composed of African American soldiers. Their adversaries, the Native Americans gave them the name “Buffalo Soldiers.”
From 1916 to 1917, the base was commanded by Charles Young, the first African American promoted to the rank of colonel.
Also of note for famous African American black history, Fort Huachuca is the birthplace of African-American poet and activist Jayne Cortez.
Her father, a career soldier, served in both world wars. Click here to check out the price of one of her most famous books entitled Jazz Fan Looks Back.
The army museum is situated on an active Army base. Check the website for opening hours.
Places to Learn About Black History in Arizona – Southern AZ
Fort Huachuca Museum | 41401 Grierson Ave, Fort Huachuca near Sierra Vista, Arizona | 800-288-3861
Next: learn more about black history and the Buffalo Soldiers at…
6.) Yuma: Alex Dees Memorial Team Roping Classic
Alex Dees’ reputation as a livestock breeder, consultant and judge was known worldwide. The third-generation agriculturalist raised Brangus cattle on his ranch, which African American farmers settled in the 1920s.
The Alex Dees Memorial Team Roping Classic remembers the Arizona rancher and his achievements, which include:
- National Multicultural Western Heritage Museum Hall of Fame
- First black Grand Marshal of the Silver Spur Rodeo and Parade, Yuma
- America Brangus Breeders Hall of Fame
- Outstanding Benefactor Philanthropist of the Year, Heart of Yuma award
- Arizona Hall of Fame
- International Brangus Breeders Association Pioneer Awardee (Dees is one of only two breeders to receive this award.)
Places to Learn About Black History in Arizona: Yuma
Check out the Alex Dees Memorial Team Roping Classic at the Yuma County Mounted Posse Arena in January around Alex Dees’ birthday.
Alex Dees is one of the Arizonans who made a difference in Black history in Arizona and the nation.
Watch the award-winning movie about the legendary Alex Dees here:
Places to Learn About Black History in Arizona — Northern Arizona
7.) Camp Verde: Fort Verde State Historic Park
At Fort Verde State Historic Park, learn some black history in USA by exploring the former US Military Headquarters building where Buffalo Soldiers reported for duty.
It is one of three historic buildings listed on the National and State Register of Historic Places and furnished in the 1880s period.
Troop I of the 10th Cavalry was the first Buffalo Soldiers troop that served at Fort Verde.
Artifacts, photos, videos and interpretive exhibits deliver the stories of Arizona’s Indian Wars and those who lived and served at Fort Verde.
The state park turns into a living history museum for Fort Verde Days in October. Flag-raising and lowering ceremonies, Buffalo Soldiers and Indian Wars period re-enactors, cavalry drills, a fashion show and a vintage baseball game are all part of the action.
Places to Learn Black History in Northern AZ
Fort Verde State Historic Park 125 E. Hollamon Street, Camp Verde | azstateparks.com/fort-verde
8.) Flagstaff: Murdoch Community Center
Another Paul Laurence Dunbar namesake school was located in Flagstaff. What once was the segregated Dunbar Elementary School is now the Cleo Murdoch Community Center.
Drive by to view the mural depicting famous black history figures from Flagstaff, community leaders and others from the segregation era.
Portraits include that of Joan Dorsey, who broke the color line at American Airlines when American hired her as their first black flight attendant in 1964. She was one of the first three black flight attendants in the United States.
Joan, born and raised in Flagstaff, attended Dunbar Elementary School. In 2008, American Airlines honored her as one of the important black women in black history at the C.R. Smith Museum of Aviation in Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas.
Former Flagstaff Mayor Coral Evans is Joan’s niece.
Places to Learn About Black History in Northern AZ
The Murdoch Community Center 203 E. Brannen Avenue, Flagstaff | www.southsideflagstaff.com
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As is common in the travel industry, UNSTOPPABLE Stacey may have been provided with accommodations, meals, and other compensation for the purpose of parts of this review. While it has not influenced this review, the Arizona travel writer believes in full disclosure of all potential conflicts of interest.
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16 thoughts on “8 Places to Learn about Black History in Arizona Now”
Stacey, this is one of my favorite-of-all-times articles that you have written. Good job! It was very informative and made me want to visit some of those places as soon as we can travel again. Thanks for all your hard work.
Thank you for your kind words, Joyce. I’m happy to hear that this was one of your favorite-of-all-times articles that I’ve penned. That’s a great compliment. I’m happy to encourage others to travel… and learn… and gain compassion.
Thank you for the information on Alex Dees. I hope young African American go and visit the sites in the state of Arizona. God Bless You.
Thank you sooo much for your comment Ethel. I wish I could have met Alex Dees. What a legendary man. Thank you for your blessing. God bless YOU.
Great information to pursue. Really enjoyed reading up on Black history. So good to hear about Alex Dees doing great works as an agriculturalist. Press on with the information. Thanks
Thanks for commenting on this story, Pamela. It is heartwarming to know that people want to hear more about black history in Arizona. Do you know of any places that I should add? Would love to hear your recommendations. I was looking for a place that might have an Alex Dees monument or statue. Or display in a museum. Thanks for your help, UNSTOPPABLE Stacey
My uncle is Alex Dees. So happy to see his name living on.
Jaenae, thanks for letting us know that Alex is your uncle. CAn you share a quick memory of him here?
I also am impressed with this article, Stacey.
I learned so much. I hope to visit the places you mention some day and honor Martin Luther King.
Thank you.
Let us know when you visit some of the places in Arizona that honor Martin Luther King! It would be nice to hear what you felt!
Stacey,
Being Black History, I’m going to visit these places you listed this month. Thank you for sharing!
Glad I could help give you some ideas. Please come back and tell us what you learned. We’d love to know more!
Very informative article! There is a lot more to learn about Black History in Arizona than I ever realized!
Thanks for your comments, Debbra! I was excited to learn that Arizona’s newest museum is a Black History museum!
Great article, Stacey! I learned a bunch, and also listened to Dr. King’s speech this morning, since it’s MLK Day!
Thanks so much for your kind words, Julie! Isn’t it a blessing when we find those recordings and listen to them so many decades later?