Black History Month has been celebrated since 1970, and around that time is when James Christopher moved to the Pueblo Gardens Neighborhood on Tucson’s southside. When he moved to the area, he saw the inequalities Black people faced living in the area. His work now is to make sure those times are never forgotten.
Christopher is an avid historian and an active member in the Tucson community, sharing his perspective on many boards of local organizations. He recently became Vice President of the Pueblo Gardens Neighborhood Association, but he was the president many years before. His collection of experience has helped build his personal collection of significant items reflecting Black history.
“My theme is looking blackward,” he said. From the Buffalo Soldiers to Aunt Jemima, he relayed every detail about the pieces of the past during his visit with KGUN9. In addition to his passion for history, he enjoys poetry and a good play on words.
“She took a stand by sitting, and she was arrested,” said Christopher while reading off scrabble tiles he arranged on top of a statue of Rosa Parks.