Castle of our Skins

Introducing Castle of our Skins 2024-2025 Shirley Graham Du Bois Creative In Residence Carmin Wong! Learn more at https://lnkd.in/e4k4nmvQ and please give Carmin a warm welcome in the comments.

The Clemmons Family Farm, Inc., located in Charlotte, Vermont, is a significant cultural and historical site in Vermont, especially notable for its contributions to African American heritage and the arts. Spanning 148 acres, it is one of the largest African American-owned historic farms in Vermont, becoming a hub for arts, culture, and community, through programming and event offerings celebrating African American culture and history. Their mission is to build a loving and inclusive community that nurtures a deeper understanding of the African American and African diasporic experience. Join us next weekend in Vermont at the Clemmons Family Farm for an intimate concert presentation: 'At Home'; featuring string quartets by Haitian-American composer Daniel Bernard Roumain (DBR), Ghanaian-Nigerian composer Fred Onovwerosuoke, and African American composers Shelley Washington, Adolphus Hailstork and Willian Grant Still. Presented by Otter Creek Music Festival. Go to https://lnkd.in/e78zgENw to get your tickets now! Photo Credit: Clemmons Family Farm

As we are halfway done with July, COOS is excited to announce we are participating in Black Philanthropy month again! Commonly known as "Giving Black" month, COOS is gearing up begin highlighting the work we have done as a Black arts institution to make a difference in the Greater Boston area and the artistic world as a whole. Castle of our Skins is dedicated to celebrating and promoting the richness of Black artistry through music, education, and cultural programming. Our organization not only showcases the incredible talent within the Black community but also works to foster a sense of belonging and pride amongst our audiences, collaborators, and beyond. You can make a difference by donating and supporting Castle of our Skins! No matter the size, every donation counts and helps us continue cultivating artistry and fostering community. https://bit.ly/4f35cOl Photo Credit: Lauren Miller

Thank you to all the folks who attended last night's virtual public meeting around the 566 Columbus Ave Cultural Space. In case you missed it, Castle of our Skins is one of five finalist organizations applying for use of a 2,500 sq. ft affordable cultural space in Boston's South End neighborhood. On Thursday night we presented our proposal to in a public Zoom meeting and MANY of you showed up, and asked thoughtful questions. The COOS Crew knows no bounds CALL TO ACTION: LEAVE A COMMENT! Comments can be emailed to jared.staley2@boston.gov and are due no later than 11:59PM on July 26, 2024. Comments should: -Provide community expertise and context AND/OR -Show how our proposal meets any of the following criteria: - Programming and Proposed Use - Organizational Strength and Leadership - Financial Capacity and Employment - Active Catalyst and Synergy - Timing Comments that solely provide approval or opposition of a particular organization will not be considered by the evaluation committee. While we appreciate all the LOVE around COOS, comments must be relevant to our presentation and proposal. Review all the proposals here: https://lnkd.in/e2ZGnqFd

Meet the crew that makes up Castle of Our Skins! COOS' staff, Board of Directors, and Advisory Board are all vital parts of the organization, helping ensure COOS' impact and commitment to uplifting Black artistry. Interested in joining the crew? Click the link down below and consider becoming a member of our Board of Directors! https://bit.ly/coos-board

#FlashbackFriday to our Spotlight Partnership with Cambridge Symphony Orchestra for their concert “Coleman, Gershwin, and Mussorgsky” at the Kresge Auditorium at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Our Executive Director Ciyadh Wells D.M.A. took the floor and got to spread the importance of Black artistry and COOS’ mission!

#InternSpotlight: We are so glad to have Brandie Garcia (They/He) on the COOS team this summer! Brandie is a current rising senior at Brandeis University double-majoring in Latin American, Caribbean, and Latinx Studies as well as Black Music Studies with a minor in Theater Arts who is also a part of the The Eli J. & Phyllis N. Segal Citizen Leadership Program as an Undergraduate Segal Fellow. Brandie serves as our interim music librarian as well as helping with Development.

It's been a pleasure to welcome Brandie to the team! Their energy and insights have been a highlight of the summer.

Congrats to our former intern Jean-Caleb Belizaire for getting into Boston University! We are so proud of you!

Last week, COOS celebrated Juneteenth alongside Boston Landmarks Orchestra with a performance entitled "A Juneteenth Celebration" at the Salvation Army Kroc Center in Dorchester, MA! Thank you for everyone who came to listen and participate in this amazing event. Photo Credit: Boston Landmarks Orchestra