January 27, 2023
Celebrate Black History Month with Visit Mesa - 2023
Experience Black History Month here in Mesa as we join in the nationwide celebration of Black History Month. Read more to learn about ways you can celebrate this month and learn about the history of Black culture here in Mesa.
Matriarchs of Washington Park
The Mesa Temple will be hosting this year's exhibit of Matriarchs of Washington Park. This exhibition presents tons of history, focusing on African American women who faced misogyny and racism in Mesa. These women have courageously shaped the future of Mesa as we know it today for all women of color.
Bruce Nelson will be presenting the exhibit this year at the Mesa Temple on Saturday, February 4 at 7 p.m. Learn more here: https://mesatemple.org/event/h...
Veterans of Washington - Escobedo Community
This exhibition, also presented and created by Bruce Nelson, celebrate the accomplishments of veterans of color from a Mesa community known as Washington Park. The presentation includes 32 framed posters that illustrate the once segregated community of Washington Park. Over 40 veterans are honored in this exhibit and include African American, Latino and Native American veterans who served in the Civil War, WWI and WWII. Many of these veterans are decorated veterans, including a group of unknown decorated veterans of color from the Washington-Escobedo Community.
Two films may also be shown as a special screening and part of the exhibition. These films include the WWII Army recruiting film called "The Negro Soldier" and a rare 1920's silent film called "A Frontier Post." This silent film shows the lives of the Buffalo Soldiers 10th Cavalry and was shot in Arizona at Fort Huachuca.
All of this artwork is original and will be presented by Bruce Nelson in a professional matter. Learn more here: https://nebproductions.com/vet...
Dedication of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Street
In January of 2023, Mesa paid tribute to the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. on the national holiday that is held in honor of him: Martin Luther King Jr. Day. On Monday, January 16 there was a parade and ceremony for the dedication of a street to his name.
This year we celebrate 25 years of celebrating Dr. King's birthday as a holiday here in Mesa. Prior to the parade, the street dedication took place. The street signs serve as a way to honor Mesa’s historic Washington-Escobedo Heritage Neighborhood, which had its roots during a time of segregation in the early 20th century. The signs will also celebrate Dr. King’s accomplishments as a civil rights icon. After this ceremony, the parade took place along the streets of Downtown Mesa. This whole ensemble was full of marching bands, dancers, the Buffalo Soldiers, schools, community leaders and so many others.
Check out the street signs placed along Center Street between Brown Road and First Avenue and learn more about the day of celebration here: https://www.visitmesa.com/even...
