African American Culture & Heritage

Albuquerque is home to a rich and thriving African-American community including artists, entrepreneurs, families and individuals all tightly woven within the fabric of the city. The Black presence here reaches back to the first wave of Spanish explorers, and the history of this community includes societal and cultural challenges that, while similar to other cities, is unique to this region.

Perhaps the most infamous name in local Black history is that of Estevanico, sometimes referred to as "Esteban," or, "Stephen the Black." Born in 1503, Estevanico was a Spanish Moor from North Africa enslaved at a young age by the Portuguese and sold in 1520 to Andres Dorantes de Carranza, a Spanish nobleman. In 1527, Estevanico and Dorantes sailed from Europe with the explorer Panfilo de Narvaez on an expedition to conquer Florida. This expedition turned into one of the most epic journeys ever recorded and eventually led to Estevanico--the first African known to have set foot on the continental U.S.--becoming a central figure in the establishment of New Mexico.

In 1539 Estevanico found himself going north on another expedition to find the fabled Seven Cities of Cibola. Sent ahead as an advance scout, Estevanico continued alone to present day New Mexico, one of the first non-Natives to set foot here. Almost as quickly as he arrived, however, Estevanico's exploits were cut short. As he approached the Zuni pueblo of Hawikuh he was killed by suspicious villagers.

Fast forward from that auspicious beginning to the 1870s, when Albuquerque saw the first growth spurt of its African American population with the arrival of the Santa Fe Railroad. Black communities became established in the South Broadway and Barelas areas along the railroad corridor. From the 1920s through the 1940s, Black businesses thrived in spite of the discrimination inherent in the pre-civil rights era. Establishments such as the legendary swing club, Chet and Pert's, catered to the small but growing Black community. Over the next few decades the population of African Americans in Albuquerque grew steadily, with another bump coinciding with the opening of Kirtland military base.

 

Today, African-Americans comprise just over 3% of Albuquerque's population. While the community may not be large, its members contribute enormously through the arts and other cultural activities. If you're interested in exploring Albuquerque's African American community, there are a number of events, groups and resources that provide an easy entry point.

• For cutting-edge theater and performance, check out Out Ch'Yonda, located at 925 4th Street, a few blocks south of downtown. Be it beat box music, poetry, dance, fringe theater or anything else, Out Ch'Yonda is never boring. 505-385-5634.
• The best resource to get started for finding African American artists is the New Mexico African American Artists Guild, put together by painter and printmaker Kenneth Winfrey. It's the most comprehensive list of websites and gallery locations in the Albuquerque area for African American artists working in all media. 
• If you enjoy sculpture, Fred Wilson, along with wife Kristen, is one of Albuquerque's premier large format artists. Ike Davis, who does his thing on the western edge of the city, has been an Albuquerque name for more than 20 years.
• One of the more interesting galleries in the East Nob Hill Area is Pearls of the Antilles, a pan-African artists' collective. You'll find Pearls at 3716 Central SE, 505-265-0982.
• For music, be sure to check out what's happening at The New Mexico Jazz Workshop, which includes the popular Jazz and Blues series during the summer months at the Albuquerque Museum of Art and History. 
• Information on other music venues and styles can be found at the New Mexico Music Commission website.
• At the EXPO New Mexico, the Alice Hoppes African American Pavilion puts on events and an art show during the length of the fair, attracting African American artists statewide to sell works inside the African American Art Center. A new African American Performing Arts Center is now open at EXPO New Mexico. Visitors can view the South African Human Rights Exhibit on display in the Exhibit Hall. The 23,000 square-foot facility cost $4.3 million. African American Performing Arts Center brochure
• The South Broadway Cultural Center, located in the area where Albuquerque's African American community first set roots, has a revolving schedule of events and exhibits.

• The Perspective, Albuquerque's African American publication is a good source for the community. They give special attention to the annual Juneteenth celebration.

A number of organizations and websites offer local or statewide calendars of events:

• New Mexico Office of African American Affairs 
• African American Chamber of Commerce 
• NMBlack.com 
• Albuquerque Arts Alliance