Castle of our Skins

Our Mission:

Castle of our Skins is a Black arts institution dedicated to fostering cultural curiosity and celebrating Black artistry through music. In classrooms, concert halls, and beyond, Castle of our Skins invites Black heritage and culture exploration, spotlighting both unsung and celebrated figures of past and present.

Our Work:

Celebrating Black Artistry; Challenging inequities with cultural representation

Castle of our Skins is deeply aware of the lack of equity in composer representation on concert stages and the omission of important stories and figures in Black history. It is this lack of equity that we seek to change.

Fostering Cultural Curiosity by showcasing the beauty found within richly diverse culture

Through carefully designed educational workshops and creative concert programs, we aim to highlight the achievements of Black artists and historical figures.

Thought-provoking concerts combining music, history, spoken word, and other arts

Our intergenerational and interdisciplinary concerts range in themes from Black love, African American quilting, and Black Feminism to freedom, civil rights, visual arts, and Black excellence.

Interactive education reaching audiences of all ages with music and storytelling

Through workshops, residencies, masterclasses, lectures, panel discussions, and educational concert programs, we work to illustrate the breadth and depth of Black culture.

Our Inspiration:

The name Castle of our Skins comes from the celebrated poet Nikki Giovanni’s “poem for nina.” The poem beautifully captures the sense of adoration and celebration for the very fabric that makes us who we are: our skin.