Events
Black History Month and Beyond in Tempe
January 23, 2025
Where to celebrate Black history, Black present and Black futures in Tempe, Arizona.
In Tempe, Black History means taking a look back to reflect on this city’s past. But also, celebrating the present day milestones and triumphs within the Black community, and recognizing the year-round efforts that are paving the way for future generations.
“This month, and every month, shall honor the history of Black Americans and continue to make multi-cultural diversity a priority,” reads Tempe Mayor Corey Woods’ proclamation designating February as Black History Month. Read Mayor Corey Woods’ proclamation.
For insights into Black history in Tempe, check out “Downtown Tempe Authority’s Black History Month Project,” an ongoing effort to compile Black stories, celebrate Black tastemakers and honor the city’s Black pioneers.
“The African American Experience in Tempe,” written by Jared Smith, is a publication of the Tempe History Museum and its African American Advisory Committee that features photos courtesy of the Tempe History Museum. This digital read details the experiences of families, including that of Mary Green, the first African American settler known to have purchased land in what is now Tempe; Education, ranging from Tempe’s Black Residents and Public Education before 1940 to The Early Years of African Americans at Arizona State; and more.
“Tempe’s Black history reflects resilience, progress, and the power of community. By acknowledging the struggles and celebrating the contributions of African Americans, we honor the past while building a more inclusive future.”
—Downtown Tempe Authority’s Black History Month Project
Today, our leaders, tastemakers, athletes, politicians, restauranteurs, educators and artists and other creatives have made their mark on this city — both in the past and in the present — and we’d like to tell you more about them. Here are a few events, businesses, spaces, facts and resources, that showcase Black history, Black present and Black futures in Tempe — and give us a reason to celebrate every month of the year.
Black History Month Events
Feb. 1, 2024 | Silent Disco at ASU Art Museum
51 E. 10th St., Tempe, AZ 85281 | 480-965-2787
Dance through music history from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. at ASU Art Museum’s Silent Disco. As part of “A Taste of Melanin” Series, this free event celebrates the ways in which Black culture has shaped the music we listen to today. Ages 18 and up welcome.
Feb. 1, 2025: Beyond Juneteenth: Storytelling and Genealogy at Arizona Heritage Center
1300 N. College Ave., Tempe, AZ 85288
The Arizona Heritage Center invites you to a morning (10 a.m. to 1 p.m.) of inspiring genealogical stories that answer the question, “Why Arizona?” featuring stories from the Pierce Family and Homer Thiel.
“100 Years in the Making: A Journey from Oklahoma to Arizona, Letters from Janie and J.L. Pierce” is a presentation by the Pierce family, who discovered beautiful letters written by their great grandparents about life in the 1920s after the Oklahoma Massacre, and their move from Oklahoma to Arizona, where their family stayed for the next 100 years.
The second guest speaker is Homer Thiel, historical archaeologist for Desert Archaeology, Inc., and President of the Tucson Presidio Trust. He has written a manuscript on the African Americans of Pima County, Arizona, and will discuss his genealogical research process and the stories he has learned along the way. Registration for this event is available here.
Feb. 4, 2025 | Design For Change at Tempe Public Library
3500 S. Rural Road, Tempe, AZ 85282 | 480-350-5100
Celebrate the legacy of Black activists and artists at Change: DIY Activism Posters. This event will explore the power of words and visuals and how they can spark change and raise awareness about the causes participants are passionate about. Teens, ages 12 to 18, will learn about historical protest art and use various materials to design their own activism poster that reflects their ideals for a better world.
Design For Change takes place from 5 to 6 p.m. in the library’s teen center.
Feb. 7 – March 4, 2025 | Getting to the Root
Harry Wood Gallery, ASU Art Building, 900 S. Forest Mall, Tempe, AZ 85281
“Getting to the Root” is the curatorial endeavor of Amber C. Coleman, Ph.D., Jazmine Beatty, Tehan Ketema, and Olivia Richardson about Black hair culture in the United States and untangling the social construction of “good” hair in our society. By showcasing the work of Black artists, scholars, and creatives who analyze, embrace, and celebrate the beauty of Black hair, this exhibition hopes to spark necessary dialogue and facilitate engagement with the hair-stories in Black culture.
Hours: Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (gallery closed daily from noon to 1 p.m.). Admission is free.
Feb. 7, 2025 | Faith in Action Prayer Breakfast
Tempe Center for the Arts, 700 W. Rio Salado Parkway, Tempe, AZ 85281
Mark your calendars for the 2025 Faith in Action Prayer Breakfast, taking place from 9 to 11 a.m. on Friday, Feb. 7, at the Tempe Center for the Arts. Presented by the African American Advisory Committee (Tempe), this event unites faith and civic leaders for the good of our city. Breakfast will be held in the beautiful Lakeside Room overlooking Tempe Town Lake.
Feb. 8 2025 | Black Legacy Project at Tempe Public Library
3500 S. Rural Road, Tempe, AZ 85282 | 480-350-5100
Experience a transformative journey through the sounds of the Black Legacy Project — A Musical Celebration of History and Unity — where music becomes a bridge for racial solidarity, equity and belonging. This inspiring national initiative, produced by Music in Common, brings together Black and White artists, and artists from all walks of life, to reinterpret iconic songs central to the Black American experience and to create new, powerful anthems for change.
Since its inception in 2020, the Black Legacy Project has toured the U.S., stopping in communities like the Berkshires, Atlanta, the Mississippi Delta and beyond. Their latest documentary and live performances ignite inspiring dialogue and understanding across generations.
Be part of this unique celebration that brings history, creativity and communities together. From high-energy performances to thoughtful conversations, the Black Legacy Project invites you to experience music’s unmatched power to unite us all. This free event will begin at 7:30 p.m. in the museum’s Community Room.
Feb. 9, 2025 | 2nd Sundays on Mill in Downtown Tempe
Mill Avenue, between 3rd Street and University Drive
For Black History Month, Downtown Tempe Authority presents Mardi Gras as the theme of this 2nd Sunday event, taking place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. This free event includes an outdoor market, features homemade goods and gifts from Arizona local artisans, crafters, and makers; live music and entertainment, snack vendors, and activations for the entire family (and dogs).
The February event will also include the quarterfinals of the Downtown Tempe Barber Battle — a high-energy, bracket-style competition where local barbers go head-to-head in such categories as mullets, fades and freestyle. The Barbershop Battle contestants will be set up at 6th Street and Mill Avenue, where you will also find the ladies of 40 Plus Double Dutch Club jumpin’ and vibin’ to live mixes from a Furious Styles DJ.
The Downtown Tempe Barber Battle culminates with the finals taking place at the Juneteenth Block Party on June 14, 2025.
Feb. 11, 2024 | Black History Month Activity Day at Tempe History Museum
809 E. Southern Ave., Tempe, AZ 85282 | 480-350-5100
Join the African American Advisory Committee of Tempe History Museum from 12 to 3 p.m. for a fun, interactive kids’ day to celebrate Black History Month! This free event is open to the entire family.
Feb. 12: Tempe History Society Lunch Talks: Arizona’s African American Barbers by Dallas Teat
Tempe History Museum, 809 E. Southern Ave., Tempe, AZ 85282 | 480-350-5100
Join Tempe History Museum and filmmaker Dallas Teat to examine the documentary “Arizona’s African American Barbers” as well as the intricate relationship between barbers and the surrounding communities. Teat asks if the customary social and cultural influence fostered by Arizona’s African American Barbers continue to thrive into the 21st century?
For over 20 years Teat has visually preserved portions of Arizona’s rich African American history, including interviews with six of Phoenix’s oldest and most iconic African American barbers (15 years ago) to explore how they saw their role within the community. Dallas continues to interview barbers throughout Arizona and, in 2023, the Arizona Commission for the Arts awarded Dallas a grant to continue his research.
All talks are held at 11:30 a.m. in the museum’s Community Room.
Feb. 12, 2025: Author Talk: Social Justice in Action
Changing Hands Bookstore, 6428 S. McClintock Drive, Tempe, Arizona 85283
Join Dr. Neal A. Lester in a conversation about, and signing of, this 2024 book, Social Justice in Action: Models for Campus and Community. This edited volume “showcase(s) practical approaches to diversity, equity, and inclusion.” The volume is rooted in humanities work and emphasizes the principles of ASU Project Humanities’ Humanity 101 – compassion, empathy, forgiveness, integrity, kindness, respect, and self-reflection.
In partnership with ASU Library’s Black Collections, Dr. Lester offers behind-the-scenes glimpses into academic publishing gatekeeping and considers the impact of current political moments that might well ban his book from some public access. Social Justice in Action is available at MLA.com.
Feb. 21, 2025: 48 LIVE: Malcom X – As Others Knew Him
Tempe Center for the Arts, 700 W. Rio Salado Parkway, Tempe, AZ 85281 | 480-350-2822
Step back in history to unlock a deeper understanding of the Civil Rights Movement with the Malcolm X Readers Theater. This new play reading is an interactive, thought-provoking experience that brings the story of this legendary leader to life from those who knew him intimately.
Presented in an entertaining reader’s theater format, this up-close experience features six actors with scripts in hand, alongside impactful backdrop images. This free event begins at 7 p.m.; reservations required.
Feb. 27, 2025 | Centered. at the Desert Botanical Garden
1201 N. Galvin Parkway, Phoenix, AZ 85008 | 480-941-1225
The Desert Botanical Garden invites you to celebrate Black History Month with Centered., an evening celebrating the impact of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) in shaping Black history and culture. This event, organized by Centered.PHX, will showcase authentic, personal stories from HBCU alumni and students, highlighting their resilience, growth and cultural pride from 6 to 9 p.m.
Feb. 28, 2025 | Valley Suns Black Excellence Night
411 S. Packard Drive, Tempe, AZ 85281
Join the Valley Suns — the Phoenix Suns new NBA G League affiliate — as they host Black Excellence Night versus the Rip City Remix. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. at Mullett Arena, and the evening’s programming will include recognition of the impact made by the Black community throughout the Valley.
Beyond Black History Month
Sundays (Year-Round) | BLK Arizona Run Club
850 E. Rio Salado Parkway, Tempe, AZ 85281
Taking place year-round, the BLK Arizona Run Club is a social- and fitness-focused meetup that brings a community to Tempe Town Lake every Sunday beginning at 8:30 a.m. Preregistration or advance sign-up is not required. be sure to check out @blkazrun on Instagram in advance to make sure you have all the details.
Jan. 25, 2025 | Regional Unity Walk
Tempe Beach Park & Tempe Town Lake
For nearly 20 years, hundreds of residents from Chandler, Gilbert, Guadalupe, Mesa, Phoenix, Scottsdale and Tempe have gathered at Tempe Town Lake to celebrate coming together at the Diversity Festival and followed by participation in the Regional Unity Walk. For 2025, the event takes place at Tempe Town Lake on Saturday, Jan. 25. Festivities, including music, food and fun, kick off at 4:30 p.m. Then, the one-mile walk starts at 6 p.m. Participation is free, and all walkers will receive a free t-shirt commemorating this walk for unity, mutual respect and understanding.
Participation is open to the public, and families, schools, community groups, scout troops, and church groups are encouraged to attend. Walkers are welcome to carry signs celebrating our community’s diversity and unity.
March 21: Sol Rhythmz Dance Festival
Margaret Gisolo Dance Theatre, Bulldog Hall, Room 132, 611 E. Orange St., Tempe AZ 85287
Sol Rhythmz is the third event of the Sol Motion series within the Arizona State University Dance Department. It focuses on the dance traditions of the Senegambia region and the emergence of the dance forms within the diaspora, specifically looking at the Caribbean.
Participants will take a journey through dances from West Africa to the Caribbean. This day-long event (10 a.m. – 4 p.m.) features workshops, a panel discussion and a social hour with live performances, a DJ and vendor booths. Sol Rhythmz pushes to highlight the dances, the people, the culture and traditions practiced and developed from the involuntary and voluntary migrations and immigrations from West Africa to the Caribbean and the Americas. Registration is free and open to the public.
January 2026 | MLK Diversity Awards
Each year, the City of Tempe and the Human Relations Commission host an MLK Diversity Awards breakfast to honor and recognize community members and organizations demonstrating a commitment to diversity, inclusion, and who exemplify the spirit of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. This year’s program honors people and organizations, including students, who work to make Dr. King’s dream a reality.
January 2026 | DREAM Series
Established by Major League Baseball and USA Baseball in 2017, the DREAM Series is a showcase event that focuses on the dynamics of pitching and catching for a diverse and elite group of predominantly African America high school athletes from across the country. Hosted in Tempe over the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday weekend, the event provides an avenue specifically geared to diversify the talent pool of pitchers and catchers — two positions that lack Black representation at the Major League level.
Juneteenth
June 2025 | Juneteenth Celebration at Desert Botanical Garden
Desert Botanical Garden honors Juneteenth’s legacy of change by celebrating Black culture and excellence through a variety of festivities, including storytelling, history, art, performance, community discussion and entrepreneurship.
You’re invited to commemorate this holiday by strolling the trails, participating in games and activities that celebrate Black culture and traditions, visit the evening market to shop local artists and vendors, and enjoy an evening of musical performances, dance, food and more.
June 14, 2025 | Downtown Tempe Juneteenth Celebration
The Juneteenth Celebration in Downtown Tempe will be the ultimate historical exploration and celebration of Black Joy. To commemorate Juneteenth, Downtown Tempe is celebrating with a free event from 7 to 11 p.m. at CenterPoint Plaza. This event will create a space where people of all ages and races are invited to join in the celebration under the banner of Freedom of Expression, commemorating the strides made in the ongoing quest for racial equality and justice. The festivities include a DJ, spoken word performances, hip-hop dance, live art, food vendors, an old-school ice cream truck, roller skating, double dutch, adult beverages, a mobile cigar lounge, an art poetry experience and more.
June 2025 | Arizona Historical Society’s Juneteenth Celebration
Join the Arizona Heritage Center in recognizing the impact of Black communities in Arizona with the annual Juneteenth Celebration. Community members are welcome to connect with each other and a variety of organizations representing historical societies, action groups, state resources, and the community at large. This event includes access to to explore the exhibits, live performances, activities and food. Registration is FREE. Donations to support future programming of this kind can be made by choose the Supporter Admission Pass option for $10.
June 2025 | Tempe History Museum Juneteenth Celebration
The African-American Advisory Committee presents the 12th Annual Juneteenth Celebration to educate the community and celebrate freedom from slavery in the United States. Located at the Tempe History Museum, this celebration is FREE, family friendly and will include hands-on activities, performances, community resources, story time, food truck vendors and more.
City of Tempe
The City of Tempe details noteworthy firsts that mark Black history within this municipality, including:
- Benton James was the first African American graduate of ASU (1924).
- Love Hatton Jordan was the first African American female graduate of ASU (1928).
- The Dunbar Social & Literary Society, the first African American student social organization, was formed in 1936.
- Emerson Harvey was the first African American football player at ASU. He started playing in 1937.
- Jesse Wilmer Jones was the first African American PhD recipient at ASU (1963).
- Warren and Carol Livingston were the first African Americans to buy property in Tempe (1965).
- Joshua Bursh and Charles Murray were the first African Americans to graduate from Arizona State University Law School (1970).
- Clovis Campbell was the first African American elected to the Arizona State Senate (1972).
- Ed “Butch” Cowings was the first African American officer on the Tempe Police force. He joined the force in 1974.
- Dr. Betty Greathouse was the first African American to serve on the Women’s Intercollegiate Athletic Board at Arizona State University (1973) and the first African American female member of Arizona State University’s Athletic Board (1976). She also was the first African American Tempe All American Woman Educator, selected by the Arizona Women’s Partnership and then-Mayor Harry Mitchell (1985).
- Cecil Patterson earned his law degree at Arizona State University and became the first African American Superior Court Judge (1980), later serving on the Appellate Court.
- Gladys Styles Johnston, Dean of Education, became the first African American Dean at ASU (1986).
- Corey Woods was the first African American to serve on the Tempe City Council. He was elected to Tempe City Council in 2008. He was elected as Mayor of Tempe in 2020.
For more on African American contributions to Tempe — from the African American to graduate from ASU (Benton James, 1924) to the first African American to serve on the City Council and as Mayor (Corey Woods, 2008 and 2020, respectively) — the city also maintains this list of recognition.
African American Advisory Committee
The African American Advisory Committee of Tempe History Museum meets monthly to plan events for Black History Month and Juneteenth. The group has also formed a book club and hosts “Community Chats,” which are both forums to discuss topics of interest and importance to the African American community of Tempe.
Arizona State University
Among the best-known stories from Tempe’s history may very well be Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s speech entitled “Religious Witness for Human Dignity,” which he delivered at Arizona State University’s Goodwin Stadium on June 3, 1964. Although the land this event took place on has been transformed for new uses in the years that followed, visitors to the site will find landmark commemorating that occasion still standing today.
And, thanks to the archival efforts of ASU, photos and audio of that day can be found here.
Today, ASU celebrates Black History Month by honoring the rich culture and history through a variety of student-led educational and engaging programs. In addition to the events listed above, other happenings — from book clubs to film festivals — taking place across all the university campuses, and beyond, will be published here as details become available.
Tempe Tourism
The Tempe Tourism works with the Black Travel Alliance and partners with Black content creators to increase representation in the travel industry and celebrate diversity in destination storytelling.
Each year, Tempe Tourism partners with DiveRVA to host Dive into Diversity Event Series and Festival, which aims to be a catalyst for change and inclusion in the Olympic sport of diving by empowering members of underrepresented communities through awareness, exposure and access.
If you are a Black-owned business or event producer, or know of Tempe happenings that we missed here, please reach out to us to let us know by contacting KJ Philp, Director of Communications, at [email protected].
