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 From: Ward 5
Contact: 791-4231 or ward5@tucsonaz.gov

Ward 5 BCC Member Spotlight: Preserving the Stories That Make Tucson Home

Commissioner Rhonda Kendrick Moniz. Credit: Amy Ijams Photography

One of the greatest strengths of Tucson's Boards, Commissions, and Committees is the residents who volunteer their time, knowledge, and lived experiences to serve our community. These volunteers help advise local leaders on issues that shape our city while bringing valuable community perspectives to the table.

This month, we're proud to spotlight Rhonda Kendrick Moniz, Ward 5 Commissioner on the Tucson-Pima County Historical Commission (TPCHC). A Tucson native with deep ties to Ward 5 and the South Park neighborhood, Rhonda brings a personal connection to the Commission's work and a passion for preserving the people, places, and stories that have shaped our city.

Preservation Starts with People

For Rhonda, the journey to the Historical Commission began long before her appointment. As a Tucson native and the daughter of Charles "Mr. K" Kendrick, Rhonda has a deep understanding of the community's history and the importance of preserving the stories that have shaped it.

Rhonda and her father are also the founders of the Black Museum, currently located in South Park at the Tucson Center for Black Life, 1830 S. Park Ave. Following the pandemic, Rhonda felt an even stronger calling to honor Tucson's people, places, and stories, including preserving her father's museum and the legacy of South Park.

Commissioner Kendrick Moniz, and her father, Charles "Mr. K" Kendrick,

Her father's impact on the South Park neighborhood, beginning in the 1970s and continuing today, also shaped Rhonda's understanding of what it means to invest in a neighborhood and leave it better than you found it. Serving on the TPCHC now gives her an opportunity to honor that legacy while helping preserve the stories of other Tucson families and communities.

As Rhonda quickly discovered, historic preservation isn't only about protecting buildings.

"Preservation is really about people. Buildings matter, but so do the memories, traditions, and stories connected to them."

That philosophy guides how she approaches her role as a Commissioner. Rhonda hopes to bring the perspective of someone who grew up in Tucson and understands how closely a community's history is connected to its identity.

Whether it's a historic structure, neighborhood, family tradition, or community story, she wants to help ensure that all parts of Tucson's history are recognized and valued—including those that may have been overlooked in the past.

Keeping Tucson's History Alive

The Tucson-Pima County Historical Commission advises local governments on matters involving historic structures, sites, areas, and districts throughout our community. For Rhonda, that responsibility also means looking beyond the physical places being preserved and recognizing the people whose experiences give those places meaning.

"History is not just found in museums or archives," Rhonda shared. "It is found in our neighborhoods, our families, and our shared experiences."

Although she is still new to the Commission, her service has already given her a greater appreciation for how quickly pieces of a community's history can disappear when there isn't an intentional effort to preserve them.

It has also reinforced her belief that every neighborhood has a history worth protecting and every community deserves a voice in how that history is told.

For someone with deep connections to Ward 5 and South Park, being part of those conversations is especially meaningful.

Honoring the Past, Looking to the Future

Rhonda has also been impressed by the experience and dedication of her fellow commissioners. She describes the TPCHC as a devoted group whose members genuinely care about preserving Tucson and the history that makes our community unique.

As she begins her own chapter of service, Rhonda hopes to contribute to that work while encouraging others to become involved in their community.

Her advice to anyone considering civic service?

"Do it! Start where your heart is."

For Rhonda, that starting point was a desire to honor her community and the city she loves. Even as a lifelong Tucsonan, she says she's still discovering pieces of the city's history she never knew.

Ultimately, she hopes her service helps ensure those stories remain alive for generations to come.

"I hope my service helps honor the past while opening doors for future generations to feel seen, valued, and connected to the history of this community."

We are proud to have Rhonda Kendrick Moniz representing our Ward 5 community on the Tucson-Pima County Historical Commission, and we thank her for volunteering her time and voice to help shape Tucson's future while preserving the stories of its past.

Interested in getting involved? Tucson's Boards, Commissions, and Committees provide residents with an opportunity to help shape local decisions and strengthen our community through public service. We encourage anyone interested in civic engagement to explore the many ways they can make a difference.

For more information on the Tucson-Pima County Historical Commission (TPCHC), click here.

Connect with Us!

The Ward 5 team can be reached at ward5@tucsonaz.gov and 520-791-4231. Our office is located at 4300 S. Park Ave., Tucson, AZ 85714.

Our office is open Monday - Thursday 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM.

Fridays: Community Engagement, Off-site meetings (Office is closed to the public).

Until next time,