AZCAAR Highlights

AzCAAC (Arizona Center for African American Children), AZCAAR's flagship program, was formed to specifically focus on the needs of African American children in Arizona in the areas of child welfare, education, health care, and juvenile justice.

 This report was a collaboration between the Black Legacy Fund, the Arizona Center for African American Resources (AZCAAR) and the African American Women’s Giving and Empowerment Circle (AAWGEC). The organizations commissioned Dr. Evandra Catherine, Ph.D., to research and create a report with a scope focused on a review of local policies  on how ARP funds are currently allocated.

Feb 2022,  The Phoenix Suns honored Connie Robinson, Chair, AZCAAR, for her work in the greater Phoenix Community with the Golden Standard Award. The Golden Standard Award recognizes African Americans in the Phoenix community during Black History Month. 

Feb 2022- AZCAAR co-hosted the African American Conference on Disabilities, with the  AZ Center for Disability Law. AZCAAR's Dr. Carlian Dawson held a workshop on healing from trauma from a Black male's perspective.

Sep 2021 - AZCAAR partners with the Glendale Women's Club to kick off their literacy program focused on early childhood reading and creating a book bank. For more information on the program click on the link: GWC partners with AZCAAR to launch literacy program 

Aug 2021 - AZCAAR received a $5,000 from the Arizona Community Foundation in collaboration with the African American Women's Giving and Empowerment Circle and Evandra Catherine, Ph.D. for a research project on the health and well-being of African American families and children in AZ.   

Jun 2021 - AZCAAR partners with the West Valley NAACP and celebrates Juneteenth and gives away book for our Kitabu and My Kids Read literacy programs

Feb 2021, AZCAAR co-hosted the conference in its 1st ever virtual format and held a workshop titled - Trauma: The Effects of the Pandemic on African Americans Families. 

AZCAAR Executive Director, Roy Dawson, appears on Phoenix's local ABC 15 News to discuss the effects of  racism in education.

AZCAAR President, Connie Robinson, accepts a $10,000 grant from Wendy's to fund our work to improve the lives of African American  children in Arizona.

Feb 2020, AZCAAR co-hosted the conference and held a workshop to find collaborative approaches to find solutions to drastically improve the lives of African Americans in Arizona's foster care system.

BooksNBarberShops, part of our literacy program, encourages parents to read to their children while waiting for their hair cut. The children are encouraged to take the book(s) home with them.