History

In 2009 and thanks to the leadership of Kenja Hassan, the State of Black Arizona (SBAZ) evolved. Based on the National Urban Leagues’ annual State of Black America report, Ms. Hassan worked for nearly two years towards the creation of the SBAZ’s Volume I. The focus of this first publication was to provide a snapshot of Arizona life for African Americans. Articles appeared in two forms: 1. The APS-sponsored written report and the CD-ROM. Most authors hailed from the Phoenix metropolitan area. Essays ranged from anecdotal narratives considering human capital issues to empirical-based analyses of Arizona’s economic landscape for our communities. With additional support from Arizona State University and the Greater Phoenix Urban League, APS hosted a launch of this impressive report.

With the support of Arizona Community Foundation and Arizona State University Foundation, Dr. Kimberly A. Scott succeeded Ms. Hassan in the Fall 2011. As the new Executive Editor of this initiative, Dr. Scott, collaborated with Ms. Hassan who became the Managing Editor. In this role, Dr. Scott continued the laudable efforts of Ms. Hassan while expanding the rigor of the publication garnering national and international recognition. She led the production of Volume II – education and Volume III- on STEM education. In 2014, Teniqua Broughton, M.Ed. came aboard to complete Volume IV on art and arts education, however with her nonprofit leadership experience she been instrumental in building the infrastructure of the organization and executing a fund development strategy, moving the advisory council to a Board of Directors submitting the formation of our nonprofit charitable status. In the process the advisory group which is now operating as a Board of Directors, designed the articulation of our updated mission and values and vision for communities we reside in statewide.

Mission Statement:

The State of Black Arizona creates a platform for the synthesis of data, demographics and research that informs the community on the status of African Americans in Arizona.

The data is intended to help community leaders and organizations with action planning and decision-making related to the issues and concerns of the state.

We believe as a result of this work, the data will compel both the decision-makers and the grassroots community, to move towards concerted efforts that provide solutions to improve the lives of all Arizonans.

Values:

We focus our efforts on the advancement of African Americans in order to strengthen our community as well as all groups in general

We actively work to link cause to action (for positive change) within the focus areas of economics, education, infrastructure, healthcare and civic life

Vision:

To be the premier organization for data dissemination on African Americans Across Arizona