In 1979, Cloves Campbell brought together Senoma Smith (the coordinator), Irma Leos, Ophelia Joseph, Roberta Robinson, Jewel Brooks, and Opal Ellis to organize a reunion for Carver High School alumni. The first reunion, held in 1980 for all graduating classes, was a success. As a result, the Phoenix Monarchs Alumni Association was officially formed in 1982.

The Phoenix Monarchs began holding reunions regularly, initially in hotels and later on the Carver High School property. In 1993, after the school district had abandoned the Carver High building, the alumni association, under the leadership of Ruth Franklin and Dottie Battiest, opened the first African American museum in Phoenix, Arizona. They and other alumni came together to fill the building’s first floor with exhibits that showcased the history of Carver High School and the contributions of the African American community in Arizona.

In December 1994, the Phoenix Union School District voted to sell the abandoned Carver High property to the Phoenix Monarch Alumni Association. Under the leadership of Calvin C. Goode, the association launched a fundraising campaign to secure the $200,000 needed by August 6, 1995. By the deadline, the association had not only paid the full amount but raised an additional $100,000, bringing the total to $300,000.

On March 15, 1996, the alumni association officially purchased the Carver property. Just two months later, on May 25, 1996, the George Washington Carver Museum and Cultural Center was dedicated, fulfilling the vision of alumni who sought to honor the school’s rich history and cultural significance.

The alumni association continues to play a vital role in preserving the Carver legacy, organizing events, supporting museum initiatives, and fostering connections among generations of graduates.