When the Selma Police Department began issuing warnings to individuals who sagged their pants in public back  April, Selma residents came together with a creative plan to educate and inform the community.

“From Sag to Swag,” a stage play written by Renaissance Family Development Center program director LaTasha Zenn, focuses on how the concept of “sagging pants” started — detailing African-American dress from Africa all the way to present time.

“The premise behind it came when the city council passed the ordinance that young men would be given a citation for pant sagging,” said play co-director and Renaissance Family Development Center director Rajeeyah Holmes. “We (Holmes and Zenn) started talking about it and came up with solutions. The play starts back in time with Africa, then goes through the Renaissance, the 1960s and 1970s with the Soul Train line and 1980s with Prince … to present day.”

Holmes talked about how in times past black music was about poetry before “gangsta rap” hit the scene.

“At the end of the play there’s a fashion show — AJ’s Menswear providing the clothes for boys and Cato providing clothes for girls,” Holmes said. “You can still look cool and hip without sagging pants … we’re asking people to come and dress up in their favorite era.”

Holmes said the cast includes area children ages 7 to 18.

“Kids in cast from Valley Grande and Meadowview Elementary, Keith, Selma and Dallas County High,” Holmes said. “It’s about family fun and giving a message.”

Holmes said her main hope is to teach young and old, female and male the importance of self-esteem.

“You’re beautiful and you don’t have to sag your pants or over accentuate your assets,” Holmes said. “ It’s not normal to show your underwear in public … sometimes you need someone to come to you and say, ‘that’s inappropriate’ … We need to get back to good norms in society — the things that everyone can share.” Holmes said she has already received positive feedback from the community. She hopes that businesses can also participate by buying tickets that can be distributed to area schools so all children can attend the event.

Dallas County student Tia Stevenson said participating in the play helped her get out of her shell.

“This program is really a culture program … black pride,” Stevenson said. “We learn about who we are … at my school, we don’t learn stuff like this.”

Holmes would like to thank members of the community for their support in the project.

“Thanks to Selma Mayor George Evans, Dr. Don Jefferson, the Black Belt Community Foundation (who provided funding), Michael McGrady (Central Alabama Child Development & CDC), Cathedral Academy and Garfield Clark,” Holmes said. “So many people, very diverse, have come to our aid … we’ve had Christians and Muslims. It goes beyond religion and race (or) socioeconomic status.”

The play will be held Friday, Sept. 16 at 7 p.m. inside J.A. Pickard Auditorium. Doors open at 6 p.m. Admission is $5.