In 1977, Skip Mason viewed Alex Haley’s epic Roots and began a lifelong commitment to research and document the history of African-American people. In 1992, he established Digging It Up, a full scale African-American Research and Consulting Firm. Renamed Skip Mason’s Archives in 1998, the company provides research and information services from its extensive photographic and newspaper clipping archives. It was a corporate resource alternative for obtaining materials, information and services usually only available through libraries, archives and museums. Linked to internet, research libraries, auction houses and individual collectors throughout the United States, Skip Mason’s Archives contains thousands of photographs depicting the African-American experience, vertical files featuring hundreds of subjects and a music, memorabilia and artifacts collection. Skip Mason’s Archives offers Exhibit consulting, neighborhood and community research, film footage library, video and documentaries (development and production), music library, historical markers and banners and Archives consultation. Skip’s clients have included Spike Lee 40 Acres and Mule, NBC Today Show, Coca-Cola,Corporation for Olympic Development, Kroger Groceries, Sports Illustrated,Smithsonian Institute, AT&T and the Atlanta and DeKalb Convention and Visitors Bureau. "Roots" Author Alex Haley and Skip Mason, c. 1983