More About Blacknificently Divine Norwalk
HBCU Arts and Castle of our Skins present Blacknificently Divine, a chamber music concert celebrating the artistry of Black composers and performers. Featuring artists from HBCU Arts and Castle of our Skins—including soprano Dr. Jolie Rocke, mezzo-soprano Inayah Raheem, tenor Avid Williams, violinists Mina Lavcheva and Lilit Hartunian, violist Jason Amos, cellist Richard Jimenez, and pianist Sarah Ruff—the program showcases music by the acclaimed Blacknificent 7 Composer Collective: Jessie Montgomery, Jasmine Arielle Barnes, Shawn Okpebholo, Damien Geter, Dave Ragland, Joel Thompson, and Carlos Simon.
The concert also features the world premiere of A Song for Humanity by emerging composer Jaylin Vinson, commissioned through the Blacknificent 7 collective and supported by the American Composers Forum Recomposing America Initiative.
Audiences will experience an inspiring program of vocal and chamber works exploring themes of identity, freedom, faith, resilience, and collective humanity.
Recomposing America is a multi-year initiative led by American Composers Forum that highlights artistic perspectives unique to the United States and the broader Americas through direct commissions, institutional collaborations, and public dialogue. Timed with the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, Recomposing America aims to refresh and reimagine the “who,” “what,” and “why” of the United States, and the stories therein.
ACCESSIBILITY: The church is wheelchair accessible and offers accessible parking and restrooms.
PARKING: Street parking is available.
PUBLIC TRANSIT: Visit Norwalk Transit for up-to-date public transportation information.
REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION REQUESTS: Castle of our Skins does not discriminate on the basis of disability and is committed to providing accessible programs and events. Guests requesting accommodations should notify Castle of our Skins as far in advance as possible, ideally 2–3 weeks before the event. While every effort will be made to accommodate requests received later, day-of requests may not be possible to fulfill.
Please send accommodation requests to info@castleskins.org.
The concert also features the world premiere of A Song for Humanity by emerging composer Jaylin Vinson, commissioned through the Blacknificent 7 collective and supported by the American Composers Forum Recomposing America Initiative.
Audiences will experience an inspiring program of vocal and chamber works exploring themes of identity, freedom, faith, resilience, and collective humanity.
Recomposing America is a multi-year initiative led by American Composers Forum that highlights artistic perspectives unique to the United States and the broader Americas through direct commissions, institutional collaborations, and public dialogue. Timed with the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, Recomposing America aims to refresh and reimagine the “who,” “what,” and “why” of the United States, and the stories therein.
ACCESSIBILITY: The church is wheelchair accessible and offers accessible parking and restrooms.
PARKING: Street parking is available.
PUBLIC TRANSIT: Visit Norwalk Transit for up-to-date public transportation information.
REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION REQUESTS: Castle of our Skins does not discriminate on the basis of disability and is committed to providing accessible programs and events. Guests requesting accommodations should notify Castle of our Skins as far in advance as possible, ideally 2–3 weeks before the event. While every effort will be made to accommodate requests received later, day-of requests may not be possible to fulfill.
Please send accommodation requests to info@castleskins.org.
Date & Time
July 11, 2026
2:00pm - 3:30pm
Location
First Congregational Church of Norwalk
3 Lewis Street
Norwalk, CT 06851
Contact Info
Kelley Hollis
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