Remembering Dr. Gene C. Blue
Arizona Community Foundation Honors the Life and Legacy of Dr. Gene C. Blue
A champion for workforce development, education, and opportunity across Arizona
The Arizona Community Foundation (ACF) joins communities across the state in honoring the life and legacy of Dr. Gene C. Blue, a transformative leader whose decades of service expanded opportunity and strengthened Arizona’s workforce and communities. Dr. Blue will be laid to rest on May 15, 2026.
Dr. Blue served as the longtime Executive Director of the Arizona Opportunities Industrialization Center (AZOIC), where he dedicated his life’s work to empowering individuals through education, job training, and career pathways. Under his leadership, AZOIC served more than 65,000 students and helped over 47,000 individuals secure employment—creating lasting impact for families and communities across Arizona.
“Dr. Gene Blue was a visionary who understood that access to opportunity changes lives. “His leadership not only strengthened Arizona’s workforce but also created pathways for generations of individuals to build stability and prosperity.” –ACF President & CEO Anna Maria Chávez
The Arizona Community Foundation partnered with AZOIC to support workforce development and educational advancement, including collaboration through scholarship programs such as the Bishop Barnwell Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Scholarship Fund. This work reflects a shared commitment to investing in Arizona’s future leaders and ensuring that opportunity is accessible to all.
“As the inaugural recipient of the Dr. Gene C Blue Public Service Award in 2016, Dr. Blue’s impact is both measurable and deeply personal. Through partnership, he helped us connect philanthropy to real outcomes—supporting students, strengthening families, and building a more resilient Arizona. His legacy will continue to guide and inspire our work.” –Kim Covington, VP of Strategic Partnerships
Beyond workforce development, Dr. Blue was a respected civic leader and advocate for inclusion. He played a key role in advancing recognition of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in Arizona, helping to shape the state’s ongoing commitment to justice and community.
Dr. Blue’s life and leadership reflect the values at the core of the Arizona Community Foundation’s mission—to lead, serve, and collaborate to mobilize enduring philanthropy for a better Arizona. ACF extends its deepest condolences to Dr. Blue’s family, colleagues, and the entire AZOIC community. His legacy will live on through the countless lives he touched and the enduring impact of his work.