Social World of Black Tucson
The social world of Black Tucson residents was diverse and expressive, especially as the number of Black residents grew over the early part of the 20th century. As more and more Black folks migrated west, the Tucson Black community expanded and developed a rich and deeply entrenched presence in the desert.”
The South Park neighborhood was a popular residential area for Black Tucson residents, especially those who had recently arrived in the city during the 1930s. Many Black individuals and families built and owned their own homes in this neighborhood, causing this area to grow significantly during the 1940s. The A-Mountain and Sugar Hill neighborhoods also developed during this time period. A-Mountain was similar to South Park and was largely supported by Black homesteaders, though it did lack in businesses, unlike South Park. Sugar Hill stood apart from the other two predominantly Black neighborhoods because of its status as an integrated neighborhood. Before 1957, there were no Black residents in Sugar Hill but this area of Tucson represented a transition in Tucson’s Black history, from segregated to integrated neighborhoods. It was within these neighborhoods and these communities that various forms of Black cultural expression thrived.
Outside of the home, Black Tucson residents engaged in various social activities from the 1940s through the 1960s. The church played a significant role in the lives of Black Tucson residents, and many predominantly Black churches existed throughout the city. Mt. Calvary Baptist Church is the oldest Black church in Tucson, established in 1900, and consistently holds the largest membership of all Black Tucson churches.
Black residents also participated in various social clubs. Many men were involved in the local chapter of the Elks Club, and several women were members of the Tucson chapter of Links. While just two examples of many, these service-oriented organizations helped Black Tucson residents to further cement their place in Tucson while helping others through a variety of ways. These social clubs held meetings and events where people could gather and create community with each other, ultimately strengthening the Tucson Black community.
Many of these social activities functioned as a form of activism for Black Tucson residents. The Tucson chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) held many events in Tucson that worked to promote the rights of Black people. The Arizona Association of Colored Women also held social events that sought to support Black women and highlight the importance of their contributions.
Local civil rights groups often held events that advocated for equal rights for Black Americans and specifically targeted issues affecting Black Tucson residents. The Tucson Civil Rights Congress engaged the community by holding rallies and informational meetings, largely about segregation. These advocacy groups helped draw attention to issues affecting Black Tucson residents and gave residents the support to fight for justice.
The social world of Black Tucson residents was rich and diverse. Residents rooted themselves in various aspects of social life, establishing community while fighting for equal standing within the state and the nation. Like the early Black settlers almost 100 years before them, these Tucson residents helped to further cement a strong Black presence in Tucson, and propel the community forward.