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.
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.
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. 12, 2026 | MLK Diversity Awards
Marriott Phoenix Resort Tempe at The Buttes, 2000 W. Westcourt Way, Tempe, AZ
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.
Jan. 12, 2026 | Valley Suns MLK Day Celebration
411 S. Packard Drive, Tempe, AZ 85281
Join the Valley Suns — the Phoenix Suns NBA G League affiliate — as they host Black Excellence Night versus the Stockton Kings. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. at Mullett Arena, and the evening’s programming will honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on a night dedicated to unity and equality.
Jan. 16-19, 2026 | DREAM Series
Tempe Diablo Stadium, 2200 W. Alameda Dr, Tempe, AZ 85282
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.
Jan. 24, 2026 | Regional Unity Walk
Tempe Beach Park & Tempe Town Lake, 80 W. Rio Salado Parkway, Tempe, AZ 85281
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. 24. 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.
Jan. 24, 2026 | Step Afrika!
ASU Gammage, 1200 S. Forest Ave., Tempe, AZ 85281
Step Afrika!’s signature work The Migration: Reflections on Jacob Lawrence is based on Lawrence’s iconic painting series that chart the story of African Americans moving from the South to the North in the early 1900s. Each piece uses the images, color palette, and motifs in the painting series to tell this astonishing story through pulsating rhythms and visually stunning movement.
Black History Month Events
Feb. 6, 2026 | Faith in Action Prayer Breakfast
Tempe Center for the Arts, 700 W. Rio Salado Parkway, Tempe, AZ 85281
Mark your calendars for the annual Faith in Action Prayer Breakfast, taking place from 9 to 11 a.m. on Friday, Feb. 6, 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. 7, 2026 | Black Love: The Exhale presented by Centered.PHX
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 Black Love: The Exhale, an evening celebrating the richness, resilience and range of Black love in the heart of the desert. This event, presented by Centered.PHX, will highlights real stories of connection, commitment, growth and joy during via featured Black couples from across Arizona this the event Black History Month. The event takes place from 6 to 9 p.m. Admission to this experience includes full access to FRAMERATE: Desert Pulse.
Feb. 14, 2026 | Black History Month Kids Activity Day
Tempe History Museum, 809 E. Southern Ave., Tempe, AZ 85282 | 480-350-5100
Join the African American Advisory Committee of Tempe History Museum from 1 to 3:30 p.m. for a fun, interactive kids’ day to celebrate Black History Month! This free event will include hands-on activities, games, a book vendor, story time and more for the entire family.
Feb. 11, 2026: Tempe History Society Lunch Talks
Tempe History Museum, 809 E. Southern Ave., Tempe, AZ 85282 | 480-350-5100
Join Tempe History Museum and Black Family Genealogy and History Society for “Researching Ancestors in Louisiana: Who are my Grandmother’s People,” a presentation highlighting a granddaughter’s efforts to put the puzzle pieces of her maternal grandmother’s family in order, using oral history, photographs, sacramental records of the Catholic Church, vital records, and more. All talks are held at 11:30 a.m. in the museum’s Community Room.
Feb. 26, 2026 | Valley Suns Black Excellence Night
411 S. Packard Drive, Tempe, AZ 85281
Join the Valley Suns — the Phoenix Suns NBA G League affiliate — as they host Black Excellence Night versus the South Bay Lakers. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. at Mullett Arena, and the evening’s programming will include recognition of the impact made by the Black community throughout the Valley.
Juneteenth
June 2026 | Juneteenth Celebration at Desert Botanical Garden
The Desert Botanical Garden commemorates Juneteenth by honoring the enduring legacy of freedom, culture and community. Wander through the scenic trails while engaging in activities that spotlight Black culture, history and creativity.
This year’s theme is Reclaiming the Past, Remembering Black Voices, Reshaping the Future. The evening will be a blend of culture, entertainment and family friendly fun from 6 to 9 p.m. on Tuesday, June 10.
Kids are invited to enjoy interactive games and activities, while adults can browse an evening market showcasing the talents of local artists and vendors. Celebrate Black excellence with live music, dance performances, delicious food and much more. This is an event for all ages to reflect, celebrate and envision a unified future together.
June 2026 | Downtown Tempe Juneteenth Celebration
The Juneteenth Block Party in Downtown Tempe returns with the perfect combo of good music, good eats and good community. To commemorate Juneteenth, Downtown Tempe is celebrating with this free, all-ages event from 7 to 11 p.m. at CenterPoint Plaza. The festivities include a DJ, spoken word performances, dancing and dance battles, live art, barbershop battle, food vendors, an old-school ice cream truck, roller skating, double Dutch, adult beverages, a mobile cigar lounge, immersive and interactive experiences and more.
June 2026 | 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. Taking place from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Tempe History Museum, this celebration is free, family friendly, and will include hands-on activities, performances, vendors, story time, a video game trailer, Police and Fire vehicles, food truck vendor and more.
June 2026 | Arizona Historical Society’s Juneteenth Celebration
Join the Arizona Heritage Center in recognizing the impact of Black communities in Arizona with the fourth annual Juneteenth Celebration. From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., this event will include lectures, storytelling, songs, activities, limited refreshments, afternoon workshops on genealogy, community partner tables to share stories and information, and access to explore the exhibits. Registration is FREE (register in advance here). Donations to support future programming of this kind can be made by choose the Supporter Admission Pass option for $10.
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 kj@tempetourism.com.
