The oldest historical Black community in Arizona celebrates 100 years

Randolph, Arizona, a community rich in culture and historic significance, is celebrating its 100th birthday this year.

Established in 1925, the community of Randolph at the time was touted as the newest townsite to rival Phoenix. It eventually grew into a multi-generational African American community, a community that persists to the present day, while many other similar historically Black communities in Arizona have not survived.

Randolph is the oldest remaining historically Black community in Arizona associated with the Great Migration of the early to mid-20th century. Anthony Moore, Randolph United Council, joined us to discuss the town and its heritage.

In 2024, the community of Randolph was listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Throughout its development, Randolph has continued to retain its racial heritage, expressed both through its population and its built environment.

Often referred as “freedmen’s towns,” “freedom towns” or “all-black towns,” African American municipalities were established throughout the U.S. by or for a largely African American population, many of whom were freed slaves or descendants of slaves.

Black communities in Arizona and New Mexico were established in the 1920s and 1930s, with thriving Black populations well into the 1950s.

The five well-known Black migrant communities established in Arizona were Allenville, Mobile, McNary, Randolph and Rillito. 

Even today, community members who have moved away regularly return for holidays, events, family gatherings and funerals.

The people of Randolph proudly identifies themselves as Randolphians.