Celebrate Black History Month with Visit Mesa - 2024

Experience Black History Month here in Mesa as we join in the nationwide celebration of Black History Month. Read more to learn about ways you can celebrate this month and learn about the history of Black culture here in Mesa.

Matriarchs of Washington Park

Matriarchs of Washington Park

Mesa Community College will be hosting this year's exhibit of Matriarchs of Washington Park. This exhibition presents the history focusing on African American women who faced misogyny and racism in Mesa. These women have courageously shaped the future of Mesa as we know it today for all women of color.

Exhibit opens February 1, 2024

Mesa Community College Art Gallery

Learn More Here

Mapping Blackness: Mapping Okemah Community Event

Mapping Blackness: Mapping Okemah Community Event

Celebrate the historical Black community of Okemah with an immersive experience and a matinee double feature of “Cooley High” and “Five on the Black Hand Side.” Mapping Blackness brings the once-thriving South Phoenix community back to life in an interactive exhibit featuring AR, VR and immersive elements.

Mapping Blackness project created by Carla LynDale Bishop

Saturday, February 10, 2024

ASU MIX Center (Room 201)
FREE

Learn More Here

The Tuskegee Airmen Exhibit At The AZ Commemorative Air Force Museum

The Tuskegee Airmen Exhibit at the Arizona Commemorative Air Force Museum

A group of primarily African-American military pilots, many of which were Arizonans, made up the Tuskegee Airmen during the time of WWII. With flying more than 15,000 sorties, damaging more than 400 enemy aircrafts, and bravely supporting front-line needs from their U.S. bases, this group of pilots directly contributed to the victory in Europe. To this day, we salute the sacrifice and success of the Tuskegee Airmen who left their home to serve.

Visitors can explore the collections of salvaged artifacts from this time in history. Don’t miss this exhibit and many others including the Arizona Wing Walk of Honor upon entry at the museum.

Permanent Exhibit Open
Wednesday - Sunday 10am - 4pm

Arizona Commemorative Air Force Museum

Learn More Here

Notable News

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Dedication

In January of 2023, Mesa paid tribute to the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. on the national holiday that is held in honor of him: Martin Luther King Jr. Day. On Monday, January 16 there was a parade and ceremony for the dedication of a street to his name.

Prior to the parade, the street dedication took place. The street signs serve as a way to honor Mesa’s historic Washington-Escobedo Heritage Neighborhood, which had its roots during a time of segregation in the early 20th century. The signs will also celebrate Dr. King’s accomplishments as a civil rights icon. After this ceremony, the parade took place along the streets of Downtown Mesa. This whole ensemble was full of marching bands, dancers, the Buffalo Soldiers, schools, community leaders and so many others.

Check out the street signs placed along Center Street between Brown Road and First Avenue and learn more about the day of celebration here: https://www.visitmesa.com/events/martin-luther-king-parade-and-festival/

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