Meet Beverely Elliott | Executive Director of the African American Museum of Southern Arizona – AAMSAZ

We had the good fortune of connecting with Beverely Elliott and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Beverely, what habits do you feel helped you succeed?
Following through and completing tasks.

What should our readers know about your business?
I am a retired educator and school counselor. I also worked at Canyon Ranch for over 10 years. I think I have been on this road of life to help people ever since I was a little girl thanks to may parents and grandmother. They were all hard working people and would share and give back regardless of what they had. Being of service to my community was always a part of who I am. I have also always been curious and devoted to finding out about my family history.

So, when my then 7 year old grand son suggested that I start a museum, and he would help, and since the community felt there was a need, I dove in and began researching how to get things started. It was not easy but it was fulfilling and educating as I learned more and more about African American people in Southern Arizona and their impact and contributions to the Southern Arizona community. I want people to know that there is so much history in this area, such beautiful and amazing stories of pain and celebration and that we are uncovering and sharing with the world. The African American Museum of Southern Arizona (AAMSAZ) will continue to support so many of the same difficulties and issues of those who came before us, such as educational and health disparities, voting suppression and more. We think almost everyone will leave the museum or the website saying, “I didn’t know that!” Because we are a movement, not just a museum!

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I would take my friends to

1. The African American Museum of Southern Arizona – to show them some of the contributions of African Americans.
2. We would have dinner at Guadalajara Grill – table side salsa and chips
3. Iced Tea and chatting at the Eclectic Cafe` – Prickly pear tea and lemonade.
4. A hike in Sabino Canyon
5. A visit to the Sahuaro National monument
6. A walk on the campus of the University of Arizona –
7. Buy them a few U of A Swag items.
8. A Day trip to Nogales, AZ and Mexico to buy fun items.
9. Sit by the pools and grill – even in the winter because my friends are from MI where it’s cold.
10. A trip to Ft. Huachuca and Bisbee’s Camp Naco
11. Visit: Ken’s Hardwood Barbecue

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
This museum would not have been developed without the question from a 7 year old. Jody who wanted to know where the museum in and around Tucson had history and information about people who looked like him and were African American. Also, our founders and our mentors. Our founders offered assistance, encouragement, and advice as we solicited the community about the need for a museum and our mentors directed us on the correct path as we moved forward to develop it. A shout out to our Board of Directors who as unsung heroes of supporting the museum!

Website: aamuseumofsouthernaz@gmail.com

Twitter: aamuseumofsouthernaz@gmail.com

Facebook: aamuseumofsouthern

Image Credits
Photo by Joe Jackson And Dominic Ortega