African American Pioneers of Arizona

Featuring compelling documentaries based on interviews, this presentation shares stories about prominent African Americans who contributed to the life and culture of Arizona.  Such luminaries include the late Dr. Eugene Grigsby, Betty Fairfax, Judge Jean Williams, Rev. Warren Stewart, Councilman Calvin Goode, and Carol Coles Henry.  Each individual’s life is contextualized using prominent events that have taken place in Arizona and the impact his/her work had on the social, cultural and political lives of the state is discussed.

Akua Duku Anokye, Associate Professor of Africana Language, Literature, and Culture  and Director of International Initiatives in Arizona State University’s New College is past chair of the Conference on College Composition and Communication (CCCC), and past chair of the College Board’s Advanced Placement English Language and Composition Development Committee. Dr. Anokye’s research centers on African Diaspora orality and literacy practices, folklore, and oral history focusing on Ghanaian culture, religion, storytelling, and dance. Her current projects feature Arizona culture and life. She is working concurrently on “African American Pioneers of AZ” focusing on community mothers and “Telli.”