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ORAL HISTORIES ✦ ART & CULTURE ✦ NEIGHBORHOOD LEGACIES ✦ ARIZONA VOICES ✦
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FEATURED STORIES
THE PEOPLE
WHO SHAPED OUR HOME.
Meet the artists, families, business owners, and community leaders carrying Arizona’s history forward.
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ORAL HISTORIES ✦ ART & CULTURE ✦ NEIGHBORHOOD LEGACIES ✦ ARIZONA VOICES ✦
Why is our work Important?
The Voices That Built Our Streets: An Integral Part of Arizona's Legacy
Throughout Arizona's history, Latinos, Chicanos, and Mexicans—nuestra gente—played a vital role in shaping the state's development long before Arizona achieved statehood in 1912.
Historian and Professor Emeritus of History Dr. Pete Dimas explores this rich and enduring legacy in his video series, Arizona's Mexican Heritage: An American Story.
Rooted In History
Following Mexico's independence from Spain in 1821, the region now known as Arizona became part of Mexico and remained so until 1848 at the conclusion of the Mexican-American War.
Despite these deep historical roots, it was not until the rise of the Chicano Movement in the 1960s that scholars began to more fully examine, document, and interpret the experiences, contributions, and struggles of Latinos in Arizona. Inspired by activists, community leaders, and educators, this field of scholarship expanded through the 1970s and continues to thrive today.
SHaping Arizona & The Nation
Latinos continue to play a vital role in shaping the cultural, economic, and social fabric of Arizona and the United States:
Our Promise and Purpose
Once overlooked in many historical narratives, nuestra gente are recognized today as foundational leaders of our state.
Arizona Barrio Stories exists to honor these stories by providing a space for our community to connect, share, and preserve the rich heritage of our neighborhoods—celebrating the contributions of our people across generations and ensuring that this legacy endures.
ORAL HISTORIES ✦ ART & CULTURE ✦ NEIGHBORHOOD LEGACIES ✦ ARIZONA VOICES ✦
vision
A community where every story is valued, every voice is heard, and every generation feels a deep sense of belonging.
values
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Education: We inform, uplift, and expand knowledge through storytelling and dialogue.
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Cultural & Artistic preservation: We safeguard stories, traditions, and creative expression.
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Accountability and Integrity: We operate with purpose, transparency, and responsibility.
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Community service: We act in service to the needs and well-being of our communities.
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Advocacy and representation: We elevate voices and address issues that matter to our people.
ORAL HISTORIES ✦ ART & CULTURE ✦ NEIGHBORHOOD LEGACIES ✦ ARIZONA VOICES ✦
19th Ave. & Northern
32nd street
33rd street
5th street
Ann Ott
Avondale
berney park
Calle Nueve
Campito
Canal Seco
Cashion
Central park
chula vista
coffelt
cuatro milpas
duppa villa
eastlake park
eastside chandler
El Campito
el mirage
garfield
glendale
golden gate
grant park
green vally park
guadalupe
harmon park
hayden park
hightown chandler
hollywood
homedale
la marqueta
la patria
la viente
la victoria
las avenidas
las ligas
little hollywood
madison park
marcos de Niza
maravilla gardens
maryvale
mesa lml
mini park
santa rosa
sonorita
southside 35th avenue
southside chandler
our roots
list of arizona barrios
From the 1940s to 1960s, dozens of barrios throughout the greater Phoenix area were vibrant communities filled with thriving generations of Chicano and Latino families. Below is a partial list of these locations. If you know of a barrio we should add to our list, please inform us and include as much detail as possible, follow this link.
barrio stories
Share Your Barrio Story
We invite you to help preserve the vibrant history, culture, and legacy of Arizona's barrios. Whether you grew up in a bustling neighborhood or on a quiet street, your experiences are an important part of our shared story.
Share a memory, milestone, or meaningful moment that shaped your life. It could be a family celebration, wedding, birthday, anniversary, first day of school, first job, community event, or a challenge you overcame. Tell us about the neighborhood where you or your family lived, the traditions you treasured, and the people who made your community special.
Every story matters. By sharing your experiences, you help preserve the voices, histories, values, and cultural traditions that have shaped Arizona's communities for generations. Your memories provide a lasting connection between the past, present, and future, ensuring that these stories are not forgotten.
Join us in celebrating, honoring, and safeguarding this rich heritage for future generations.
ORAL HISTORIES ✦ ART & CULTURE ✦ NEIGHBORHOOD LEGACIES ✦ ARIZONA VOICES ✦
Our Long-term priorities
Arizona Barrio Stories C.A.R.E.S.
ABS CARES reflects our commitment to creating lasting impact through Community Impact, Advocacy, Recognition & Awareness, Education, and Support.
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Every story we preserve, every voice we amplify, and every partnership we build helps strengthen cultural identity, expand opportunities, and foster more connected and resilient communities.
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This work is made possible through the generosity of our members, donors, sponsors, and community partners. Together, we are preserving Arizona's cultural heritage and ensuring that the stories, voices, and experiences of our gente continue to inform, inspire, and empower future generations.
COMMUNITY
We cultivate pride and cultural connection throughout the ABS community
By sharing stories of our vanished barrios, we restore collective memory and bridge generational divides—helping new generations connect with their rich cultural heritage. As our membership grows, so does our storytelling vault, expanding with each contribution and deepening the legacy we preserve.
Advocacy
A spirit of advocacy is embedded throughout our digital broadcast content, reflecting ABS’s commitment to delivering accurate, practical information that empowers lives.
Through our diverse programming, we feature professionals and subject-matter experts from all walks of life who serve as dynamic hosts and contributors. Signature shows such as The Irma Payán Show, La Plática, and Salud, Dinero y Amor (AARP Arizona Hispanic Connection) offer timely insights on issues that matter—from health and finance to relationships and community well-being.
Recognition
Arizona Barrio Stories (ABS) reaches a collective monthly audience of nearly 500,000 across multiple digital streaming and social media platforms.
Our content appears on outlets including Latino USA TV and Media, Facebook, Cox, Instagram, Chicano Hollywood, YouTube, Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, TikTok, LinkedIn, and others.We welcome inquiries from sponsors, merchants, partners, and organizations interested in tailored marketing collaborations. ABS offers unique opportunities to connect with diverse audiences through purposeful storytelling and cultural engagement.
Educate & Inform
We collect, preserve, and share knowledge about our gente with a global audience.
In addition to historical documentation of barrios, our growing repository features rich, descriptive content on Indigenous traditions, cultural arts, local history, landmarks, and notable buildings and structures. This material is conveyed through compelling personal narratives and insightful dialogue with subject matter experts.To date, we have produced approximately 400 interviews and streaming segments—each contributing to a living archive that elevates community memory, identity, and resilience.
C | COMMUNITY
We strengthen cultural identity by preserving and sharing the stories of Arizona's vanished barrios.
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Through storytelling, we reclaim collective memory, bridge generational divides, and help younger generations connect with their heritage. Every photograph, interview, and personal story added to our archive deepens the legacy we preserve for future generations.
Impact Highlights
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Growing digital archive of community stories and photographs
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Nearly 50,000 community members connected through Facebook
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Intergenerational engagement across Arizona and beyond
A | ADVOCACY
Advocacy is woven into everything we do.
ABS provides accurate, practical, and meaningful information that empowers individuals and strengthens communities. Through programs such as The Irma Payán Show, La Plática, and Más Con Carmela, community leaders and expert guests discuss issues that matter most to our families.
Topics include:
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History and cultural heritage
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Health and wellness
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Education and workforce development
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Legal and civic engagement issues
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Arts, culture, and entertainment
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By connecting people with trusted information and resources, we foster understanding, encourage civic participation, and elevate community voices.
R | RECOGNITION & awareness
We amplify the stories, people, and institutions that enrich Arizona's Latino community.
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Through strategic partnerships and a strong digital presence, ABS expands awareness of community history, cultural traditions, and organizations making a difference throughout Arizona.
Reach & Visibility
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More than 600 original programs produced
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Approximately 1 million monthly audience impressions
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Presence across Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, and LinkedIn
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Partnership with Latino USA Media
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We welcome opportunities to collaborate with nonprofits, educational institutions, businesses, foundations, public agencies, and community organizations that share our commitment to preserving and celebrating Arizona's cultural heritage.
E | Education & Information
Education is central to our mission.
We transform stories, interviews, and lived experiences into accessible educational resources that connect people with Arizona's rich cultural history. Our growing repository includes barrio history, indigenous traditions, cultural arts, landmarks, and significant people, places, and events.
Through partnerships with organizations such as MEChA chapters at Alhambra High School and Phoenix College, students engage with their heritage, develop leadership skills, and connect with mentors and community leaders who inspire future success.
S | SUPPORTing the community
ABS serves as a trusted bridge connecting people, resources, and opportunities.
Through our media platforms and community partnerships, we help individuals and families access valuable programs, services, and information that support community well-being.
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Nonprofit organizations
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Educational institutions
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Public agencies
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Community initiatives
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Local businesses and entrepreneurs
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By connecting people to resources and one another, ABS helps strengthen communities, foster civic engagement, and improve quality of life.
ORAL HISTORIES ✦ ART & CULTURE ✦ NEIGHBORHOOD LEGACIES ✦ ARIZONA VOICES ✦