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Not everyone was granted freedom on July 4th, 1776. Most of our founding fathers were slaveholders. Up until the civil war, the practice of owning another human being as property was still widely accepted in our nation. The war was fundamentally centered around the moral issue of slavery. The economics of slavery and the political control of that system were a matter of states' rights.
 Mural on N 6th ave in the Sugar Hill neighborhood.
On January 1, 1863, President Abraham Lincoln issued an executive order changing the legal status of enslaved Americans to free. This official act is known as The Emancipation Proclamation. Still, not every enslaved American was free, it took another two years for this to happen. The last enslaved Americans were in Galveston, Texas; they were not notified of the official order until June 19, 1865. In the African American Community that date came to be known as Juneteenth. On June 17, 2021, President Joe Biden signed a bill declaring Juneteenth a federal holiday.
The Juneteenth Flag created by Ben Haith.
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Juneteenth is an annual celebration of the historic day that the last black people who were enslaved by white people in the US were informed that the Confederacy lost the Civil War, and the official policy of the US was now to forbid slavery except for in cases of punishment for a crime. On June 19th, 1865, nearly two full years after Lincoln’s famous Emancipation Proclamation, Union troops arrived in Galveston Bay, Texas to inform enslaved people they were free.
 The Tucson Juneteenth Festival will be held at the Kino Sports Complex.
And if two years feels like a long time for news of freedom to travel to Texas, it would take another 156 years for the US to recognize Juneteenth (or Freedom Day) as a federal holiday in 2021. The following year, Tucson also adopted Juneteenth as an official City holiday as well. While there is evidence of Black Tucsonans celebrating Juneteenth alongside Black Americans around the country since the 19th century, Tucson’s Juneteenth Committee formed in 1970, and so this year marks the 54th official annual celebration. Recent years have seen the celebration grow and become more mainstream for Tucsonans of all skin colors.
The main official Juneteenth celebration this year will take place on Saturday, June 15th at Kino Sports Complex (2500 E. Ajo Way Tucson, Arizona, 85713). But the celebration spans over a week of events, some official and others unofficial. The official list of events started this past Sunday, June 9th with the 2nd annual Juneteenth Mass Choir at Pima College West Proscenium Theater. A complete list of official events is listed below.
 A list of Juneteenth events in Tucson.
Here in Ward 3, The Drawing Studio will feature a talk and exhibition from Master Teaching Artist Randiesia A. Fletcher, in coordination with Living2Portraits on June 19th.
 THe Drawing Studio will be holding a Juneteenth inspired art event.
KXCI has an annual June 19th tradition of handing the airwaves over to Black DJs who program music around the holiday. From 8am to 6pm, programing will focus on black liberation and celebration.
However you choose to celebrate, happy Juneteenth to you!
Walking into the Donna R. Liggins Center at 2160 N. 6th Ave., you get an immediate sense of history, Black History to be precise. Directly in front of the entrance is an 8 x 12 mural titled “Roots of Black History” by Eugene Allen, installed in 1977. The giant painting depicts 109 individuals who made significant contributions throughout American history. Some I easily recognize - James Baldwin, Angela Davis and Shirley Chisholm to name a few. Looking over the full list of those depicted, my knowledge comes up short - I now have a list of people to learn about.
 Roots of Black History by Eugene Allen, 1977.
The mural is now behind a glass case, so the photo above doesn't do it justice - please take a trip over to the center and take it in yourselves - how many historical figures can you identify?
The center itself was renamed from Northwest Center to the Donna R. Liggins Center to honor Liggins in 2011, shortly after she retired from the City- after 42 years! Liggins was Supervisor of the center from 1993 until her retirement and a resident of Sugar Hill since 1965. She is a dedicated community leader and has her own plaque on the wall of Icon Participants.
 Donna R Liggins' Icon Participant plaque.
Another name on the building is Richard "Higgie" Higginbotham, on the gymnasium to get specific. The gym was opened in February of 2006 and dedicated to Higginbotham for his dedication to the center and the community around it. Like so many Black Tucsonans, Higgie came by the old pueblo via the Davis Monthan Air Force Base. He had a second career with the Parks and Recreation Department and was an accomplished Senior Olympian. Higgie passed away in 2005.
 Richard "Higgie" Higgenbotham's Icon Participant plaque to the right.
The Donna Liggins Center is located in the Sugar Hill neighborhood, one of three historically Black neighborhoods in Tucson. That designation is bitter-sweet, since non-white neighborhoods evolved as a response to structural and social racism. New housing developments in the 50s and 60s (both Federally subsidized and private developers) restricted the purchase of homes to whites-only via deed restrictions, pushing non-whites into specific areas. Those areas were then redlined- home loans were denied and city investments were withheld. For a quick read about redlining, check out: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Redlining. For a deep dive, I recommend the book “The Color of Law” by Richard Rothstein.
The residents of Sugar Hill fought hard for their park, their center, and their community. And they continue to fight; to improve their neighborhood and get their fair share. The images and stories shared at the center reflect the lives of those that built that space - before it was brick and mortar, when it was just love and solidarity.
 A ceramic-tile mural of 60 Sugar Hill residents who served the community is just outside the doors to the gym, created by artist and former resident, Alex Powell in 2005.
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 HARLEY QUINN / ID# A701470
Age: 4 years
Qualities:
Meet Harley Quinn! This sweet girl has been hanging out in foster care, and her foster mom describes her as "the complete package!" In her foster home, Harley has done well with cats, dogs, and people of all ages. She is housebroken, crate-trained, and not destructive when left alone. She also loves to swim! Harley is an all-around good girl!
Fee:
Harley has a $0 adoption fee. A $20 license fee applies to adult dogs. Adoption includes spay or neuter, age-appropriate vaccinations, microchip, and a free vet visit.
Contact:
Pima Animal Care Center, 4000 N. Silverbell Rd.
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday, 12pm - 7pm.
Wednesday 1:30-7pm. Saturday and Sunday 10am - 5pm.
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Keeling Neighborhood Association
Monday 6/17, 7 - 8:30 pm
Cornerstone Fellowship Social Hall
2902 N. Geronimo Ave.
Samos Neighborhood Association
Tuesday 6/18, 6:30 - 7:30 pm
1609 E. Spring St.
Sugar Hill Neighborhood Association
Thursday 6/20, 6-7:30 pm
Donna R. Liggins Center
2160 N. 6th Ave.
Amphi Neighborhood Association
Thursday 6/20, 6-7 pm
Woods Memorial Library
3455 N. 1st Ave.
The Ward 3 office is open at 1510 E. Grant Rd. from
9 am -1 pm, Monday through Friday. Staff will answer phone messages, emails and requests for meetings by the next business day. Leave your message at 520-791-4711 or email ward3@tucsonaz.gov.
Our office will be closed on June 19th in observance of the Juneteenth federal holiday.
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U of A Celebrates Juneteenth With A Month Full Of Events
The following talks, hosted by the university's Office of Black Advancement and Engagement, will be held at 2 p.m. on Tuesdays throughout June and are free and open to the public.
- June 18: "History of Juneteenth – Historical Context" | Johnny Bowens, Senior Lecturer, Department of Africana Studies
Click here for more info on Juneteenth events at the U of A.
Help The Homing Project By Line Dancing And Eating Some BBQ Sunday July 14 from Noon to 4 PM
The Homing Project is having a fundraiser for the village that’s planned for The Keeling Neighborhood. Come kick up your heels, enjoy BBQ, and line dance to Mama Cole for a good local cause.
Equity Priority Survey For The City Of Tucson
The Office of Equity has identified 12 demographic indicators of vulnerability, which together form the Tucson Equity Priority Index (TEPI). While all these indicators contribute to social vulnerability, they may not do so equally. This survey asks the community to determine which variables most significantly impact vulnerability in Tucson.
Steve Kozachik In Concert
Former Ward 6 City Councilman Steve Kozachik is a talented musician in his own right. You can catch him in concert on the following dates at the corresponding venues in bold.
- June 15th, July 13th and August 3rd - all noon til 3pm at Corbett's.
- July 6th from 6 til 9 at Tohono Chul.
Election Ready Virtual Event On June 15th
Food distribution: Food4Life Is Saturday, June 15, At New Life Community Church Of The Nazarene 3367 N. Geronimo.
Sign-up begins at 8 am and continues as long as they have food. Food is usually distributed beginning around 10, and they finish by 11 or 11:30. They have vegetables, fruit, packaged food, desserts, dairy, and some meat. You get to select your own food. There are no income, residency, or other requirements. Clothing is also available from 8 to 9 a.m.
Tucson's Proposition 407 Funds New Pedestrian Safety and Public Art Project
 In collaboration with the City of Tucson Transportation and Mobility Department, the Arts Foundation for Tucson and Southern Arizona invites artists to submit qualifications for the opportunity to create innovative public artwork for the 5th and 6th Street Pedestrian Safety and Walkability Public Art Project.
The 5th and 6th Street Pedestrian Safety and Walkability project will provide sidewalks, landscaping, and lighting for people walking and assistive mobility devices. This project is funded by Proposition 407 - Tucson Delivers Strong Connections, a bond package approved by voters to fund improvements to parks and construction of new bicycle and pedestrian routes.
Public Art Component
The public art opportunity for this project is open to all forms of free-standing public art that can withstand the harsh outdoor Southern Arizona climate. Sculptures that integrate shade, seating, or bike racks elements are also encouraged. The artwork will be located on the traffic island on the corner of 6th & Country Club within the location of two bus stops. The project location will have no walls or surfaces for murals or two-dimensional art. The artwork components will be exposed to harsh desert elements, sustainable materials as well as functionality in this climate are essential to address longevity and maintenance.
Call to Artist Details:
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Due Date: Tuesday, June 25 2024, by 11:59 pm Arizona Time
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Budget: $47,885
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Funding Department: City of Tucson Department of Transportation and Mobility
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Eligibility: This public art opportunity is open to all professional artists and artist teams. See guidelines for further details.
Pima Association of Governments (PAG) Survey
Pima Association of Governments (PAG), the greater Tucson region's metropolitan planning organization, has launched the “Shape Your Transportation Future” survey, which allows community members to share your transportation priorities and experiences, and where you believe PAG should apply its transportation funding resources for the next 30 years. Results will inform development of the 2055 Regional Mobility and Accessibility Plan, or RMAP. As the federally required metropolitan planning organization, PAG must update this long-range transportation plan every four years to annually secure millions of dollars in federal funding for essential transportation improvements in the region. Your input matters!
You can learn more and take the brief survey at www.PAGregion.com/2055. The survey, which is less than 10 minutes, is available in English and Spanish.
Living Streets Alliance is seeking an Open Streets Manager
 Living Streets Alliance is seeking a passionate, creative, and thoughtful individual to join our team of advocates working to bring Tucson’s streets to life.
If you love connecting with people from all walks of life and building relationships, leading projects and event production, and thrive in a collaborative environment with a small and mighty team of co-creators, you'll love this position!
This position will remain open until filled. We’ll be reviewing applications on a rolling basis and encourage you to apply as soon as possible. All applicants will be contacted regarding next steps. Feel free to contact LSA with any questions.
Big Brothers Big Sisters Is Looking For Volunteers
Community Garden Plots Available
Ready, Set, REC! in June
Go Electric AZ is Looking For Individuals Interested in Electrification of Their Homes and Their Transportation
 Sustainable Tucson's Energy Transformation Working Group (ETWG) provides a volunteer-based service dedicated to helping homeowners transition to electrified and energy-efficient homes. The website is goelectricaz.org. That program has completed its first training for coaches and is accepting clients on a limited basis. If you would like to receive assistance on electrifying your home, sign up at goelectricaz.org/client.
Grocery Sharing at Tucson Food Share - 2500 N. Stone Ave.
 Groceries are shared Mondays 4:30- 6:00 pm,
Thursdays 6:00 - 7:30 pm, and Saturdays from 8am-9:30am.
https://tucsonfoodshare.org/ has more information about volunteering, donating, or requesting delivery.
We welcome your feedback !
Please feel free to email us at Ward3@tucsonaz.gov
To subscribe to this newsletter go to https://www.tucsonaz.gov/ward-3
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