The term "dig" is many things in modern Black culture. Can you dig it? The legacy of D.J.s (disc jockeys) digging in the crates. The actual definition of 'dig': to unearth; like you would a bone or a fossil. Our project is all those things. Digging up the stories of Black excellence in New Mexico that you don't get taught in school. Sometimes, it feels like the most effective attack against our pride is hiding it from us. This project is designed to undo that.

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What happens when you pair performance, poetry and music with untold histories? Hamilton: The Broadway Musical. Never has the story of one of America's more obscure founding fathers been met with more renown and retention. Putting history on stage has long been the best method of making sure it sticks. Adding hip hop and choreography make it an unforgettable experience. The African American Performing Arts Center is seeking 5 - 8 young people (ages 12 - 20) to help bring untold stories of African American figures in New Mexico center stage in a play entitled Dig:The Hip Hop History. Under the guidance of Albuquerque's Inaugural Poet Laureate Hakim Bellamy with law school Dean Emeritus Alfred Mathewson as producer, eight young, gifted and black New Mexicans will compensated to collaborate over a 6 week period to re-mix our history for a new generation.

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This project is brought to fruition with the vision and support of Pamelya Herndon, Alfred Mathewson, Annette Caine and the board of the African American Performing Arts Center in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Funding support comes from New MExico Arts.