Narrated by Charlotte Ham
Video by African American Museum of Southern Arizona
Video narrated by Charlotte Ham
Video production by Jenny Li (AAMSAZ)
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.
Narrated by Stacey Snowden
Video by African American Museum of Southern Arizona
Dene Wallace is an Arizona native, born in Nogales, Arizona, in the 1950s. While Dene has her own compelling story, her passion lies in preserving the memory of her mother’s extraordinary life, that of Mildred Eveline Simpson Bennett. Mrs. Bennett was a distinguished educator, a tireless Civil Rights activist, and a revered leader in the Nogales community.
According to the photos generously provided by her daughter, Dene, it becomes evident that these young ladies, and many others, were fortunate students of Mrs. Bennett. These pictures were submitted during a 1994 reunion held in Nogales to honor the legacy of Mrs. Bennett. Notably, the majority of these photographs feature the children of Buffalo soldiers, reflecting their unique heritage as they had Black fathers and Hispanic mothers.
Among these cherished images, there are a few capturing children who were actually siblings of Mrs. Bennett herself, further highlighting the deep impact of her teaching legacy. Mrs. Bennett’s influence extended far and wide, leaving an indelible mark on the lives she touched.
Narrated by Dene Wallace
Video by African American Museum of Southern Arizona
Copyright © 2023, African American Museum of Southern Arizona. All Rights Reserved. No image, sound or text from this site can be used without the expressed written permission of the museum’s Board of Directors.
Janet Harmon Bragg spent the major part of her life encouraging blacks to become active in aviation. She was an active pilot for over 35 years, earned a Commercial Pilot License and logged over 2,000 flying hours. In 1984, Bragg was honored by the University of Arizona Black Alumni Association as the first black woman to receive a commercial pilot’s license in the USA. She also was presented the Certificate of Appreciation by the FAA and was awarded the Bishop Wright Air Industry Award for her contributions to aviation by the U.S. Department of Transportation.
Janet Bragg is part of the Women in Flight Exhibit in Hangar 1.
Janet Harmon Bragg was an American amateur aviator. From her humble beginnings, she became the first African American woman to earn a private pilot’s license in the United States in 1934 and, in 1942, the first African-American woman to hold a commercial pilot license. (Bessie Coleman did earn a pilot’s license but went to France to do so.)
An aviation pioneer, Janet Harmon Bragg, broke barriers and soared to heights in the early 20th century. Her legacy, marked by courage and determination, continues to inspire generations. She moved to Tucson, Arizona,from Chicago due to her husband’s pulmonary illness and brought in tow her nephew, Clarence Harper, whom she had been raising, and was also there for his son, Clarence Harper, Jr., who both still reside in Tucson.
Ms. Harmon Bragg had an extraordinary life story, one of resilience, determination, and groundbreaking achievements. Born in Griffin, Georgia, on March 24, 1907, she faced numerous obstacles due to her gender and race but ultimately left an indelible mark on aviation history.
Pioneering African American Aviator
African Americans Who Flew First
Narrated by her nephews, The Harper Family
Video by African American Museum of Southern Arizona
Ms. Bragg’s contributions to aviation were recognized posthumously when she was inducted into the Arizona Aviation Hall of Fame in 2000. Prior to this, she had been honored with the Bishop Wright Aviation Industry Award in 1985 and received certificates of appreciation from the US Department of Transportation and recognition from Women in Aviation International and the aerospace industry. She was a 2022 inductee to the Georgia Aviation Hall of Fame.
Janet Harmon Bragg’s legacy as a trailblazer and inspiration to future generations of African American pilots is cemented not only in her achievements but also in her unwavering determination to defy the odds and pursue her dreams.
Copyright © 2023, African American Museum of Southern Arizona. All Rights Reserved. No image, sound or text from this site can be used without the expressed written permission of the museum’s Board of Directors.
photo provided by Irma Sherwood Moran
Jack Roosevelt Robinson (January 31, 1919 – October 24, 1972), the first African American Major League Baseball (MLB) player, broke the color barrier in 1947. His impact on and off the field inspired the civil rights movement. In 1997, MLB retired his No. 42 jersey across all teams – the first athlete in any sport to receive this honor.
They also established “Jackie Robinson Day,” observed annually on April 15, where all players wear No. 42 to commemorate his legacy. He was a trailblazer, winning prestigious awards and contributing to the Dodgers’ World Series victory. His legacy continues to be celebrated for breaking racial barriers in sports and society.
Narrated by Irma Sherwood Moran
Video by African American Museum of Southern Arizona
Video narrated by Irma Sherwood Moran
Video production by Mingde & Jenny Li (AAMSAZ)
Recorded by AAMSAZ
Elgie Mike Batteau was an educator who was courageous with humility. She was an advocate for SOCIAL JUSTICE before that term was used, but she felt responsible for society. Mrs. Batteau was a University of Arizona graduate who integrated the U of A student union swimming pools and moved here and stayed with her Aunt Rosa (Barnes), who moved to Tucson in 1916.
She taught at the Dunbar School and then moved to Phoenix, Arizona, in the early 1940s, where she taught at the Phoenix Union Colored High School.
This high school was built specifically for African American children and opened as a segregated school for high school students in 1926. Mrs. Batteau was concerned about the school’s name and wanted the children to have pride in their school and pushed for the school to be named George Washington Carver High School after the scholar, scientist and educator.
Black students at the University of Arizona have developed an academic honor society “The Elgie Batteau Honor Society.” Mrs. Batteau and her husband Matthew were of strong faith and dedicated long service to Prince Chapel A.M.E. Church in Tucson and Tanner Chapel A.M.E. Church in Phoenix. In addition they tutored and were mentors for many of their former students as many became teachers following in their footsteps. They held a Day Camp where they taught math, reading, language skills, and shop. This Day Camp included lunch and always Mr. Batteau’s famous Iced Mint Tea!
Recorded by AAMSAZ
CR Patterson owned the largest Black-Owned Business in the world in 1900. He and his wife had six children. One of CR Patterson’s sons Fredrick Douglas Patterson (1871 to 1932) was athletic and was Butch Patterson’s grandfather. Butch has been a Tucsonan for over 40 years. Fredrick and his younger brother Samuel worked for their father in his business. Patterson and Sons was located on Washington Street in Greenfield, Ohio, and the factory was about 50,000 square feet and housed in 2 buildings. These buildings are where buggies, buses, and autos were made, along with a repair shop.
CR Patterson was one of the wealthiest people in the town, (earning around $150,000 in the early 1900’s which is equivalent to $2,445,631.58 in 2022). He and his family, children, and grandchildren all lived in a large home. He and his family were highly respected and involved in the AME Church and the community.
Frederick Douglass Patterson attended Ohio State University from 1891 – 1893 and was the first Black to integrate the football and baseball teams. Frederick joined the company in 1898, and was the driving force behind the development of the automobile manufacturing that came to fruition on September 23, 1915 as the first car rolled off the assembly line.
Icon Photos By Joe Jackson
Narration by Bob Elliott
Reserve a court to play basketball or pickle ball. The main contact for groups must leave a phone number and/or an email. Memberships are available or daily fees are required for access. Everyone must wear a mask. Reserve a room for an event, a classroom or meeting room and bring the kids to play on the playground.
Monday-Friday: 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Weekends: Closed Saturday, Sunday, and Holidays.
Video production by Ken Roth Associates.
Tony Dungy, who didn’t know his father was a Tuskegee Airman, “and I was like what?”
Wilbur Dungy may not have lived in Southern Arizona but his famous son Tony Dungy has family and friends in Tucson and has traveled here often. Tony Dungy is a NBC sports analyst, was a NFL player, and was a NFL Head Coach for 13 years with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Indianapolis Colts. In 2006 Tony became the first NFL African American Head Coach to win a Super Bowl with the Indianapolis Colts.
Video courtesy of All Pro Dad
Edited by the African American Museum of Southern Arizona
Wilbur Dungy, Tony’s father graduated from Jackson High School in Jackson, Michigan in 1943. After graduation he served in the segregated U.S. Army during World War II. Following the war Wilbur Dungy attended Jackson Community College (JCC) and then went to Ann Arbor, Michigan where he earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Michigan. In 1952 Wilbur returned to JCC as a teacher. Wilbur Dungy was a biology professor for more than 30 years at Jackson Community College. He was the first Black instructor at this college back in 1953. Dungy earned a doctorate in 1967 but asked people not to call him “doctor.” That would be too showy.
Descendants were aware Dungy served in the U.S. Army; however, his son Tony and his siblings discovered their father was part of the Famed Tuskegee Airmen at his celebration of life.
Website by AAMSAZ
Logo Design by Felicia Penza -feliciapenza@gmail.com
Museum is located on the Campus of the University of Arizona
Student Union Room 244
(1303 E University Blvd, Tucson, AZ 85719)
Park in the 2nd Street Garage
