MARTHA'S VINEYARD

HBCU ARTS

2026 SUMMER FESTIVAL

A vibrant week of BIPOC artistry, culture, and legacy on Martha’s Vineyard

AUGUST 1-6, 2026

SPONSOR

EXPLORE THE SCHEDULE

WHERE HBCU LEGACY, ARTISTRY & COMMUNITY MEET

Hosted by HBCU Arts™ and Castle of Our Skins, this week-long experience features powerful performances, curated gatherings, and unforgettable moments across the island.

WHAT YOU'LL EXPERIENCE

A week of culture, connection, and creative power

LIVE PERFORMANCES & CONCERTS

Experience dynamic performances from emerging and established HBCU artists, culminating in powerful, unforgettable concerts.

PANEL DISCUSSION

Learn directly from industry leaders through curated discussions and real-world insights.

Explore multidisciplinary artistry from visual arts to fashion, film, and spoken word.

ARTIST SHOWCASES
& EXHIBITIONS

NETWORKING
& COMMUNITY

Build meaningful connections with artists, alumni, creatives, and cultural leaders.

CULTURAL TOURS
& ISLAND EXPERIENCES

Immerse yourself in the rich African American history and beauty of

Martha's Vineyard.

Access curated receptions, private gatherings, and elevated festival moments.

VIP & EXCLUSIVE EXPERIENCES

schedule

VIEW & PRINT THE DETAILED SCHEDULE

2026 PUBLIC EVENTS LINE UP

01

SAT

AUG

Panel Discussion | 1:00PM
Artist Showcase: Kyle Exum | 3:00PM

Black Man Lab Convening | 4:30PM
Artist Showcase: Ken Jackson | 6:00PM

Opening Concert | 6:30PM

Union Chapel
55 Narragansett Ave.

Oak Bluffs, MA

02

SUN

AUG

Church Service | 10:00 AM

Rev. Otis Moss III, Preacher

HBCU Arts musicans

Union Chapel
55 Narragansett Ave.

Oak Bluffs, MA

03

MON

AUG

Morning Movement | 8:00AM

VIP Reception | 4:00PM

exclusively sponsored by

Amistad Center for Art & Culture, Hartford, CT

West Tisbury Inn
1070 State Rd.
West Tisbury, MA

04

TUES
AUG

West Tisbury Inn
1070 State Rd.
West Tisbury, MA

05

WED

AUG

Morning Movement | 8:00AM

Artist Showcase: Inayah Raheem | 3:00PM

Artist Showcase: Dr. Jolie Rocke | 4:30PM

West Tisbury Inn
1070 State Rd.
West Tisbury, MA

06

THURS

AUG

Morning Movement | 8:00AM

Artist Showcase: Dr. Ciyadh Wells | 3:00PM

Artist Showcase: Richard Jimenez | 4:30PM

Closing Night Karaoke | 7:30PM

West Tisbury Inn
1070 State Rd.
West Tisbury, MA

VIEW & PRINT THE DETAILED SCHEDULE

FESTIVAL VENUES

EXPERIENCE MARTHA'S VINEYARD THROUGH THE ARTS

Union Chapel

55 Narragansett Ave.

Oak Bluffs, MA

Panel · Artist Showcase · Live Music

West Tisbury Inn

1070 State Rd.

Vineyard Haven, MA

Artist Showcases · VIP Reception · Open Mic Night

FEATURED ARTISTS

Meet our speakers and performers

Dr. Jolie Rocke

Founder, HBCU Arts

Lecturer, Prairie View A&M University

Dr. Ciyadh Wells

Executive Director

Castle of Our Skins

Stacy Allen

Nia’s Daughters Movement Collective, Houston, TX; Lecturer, Stephen Austin University, TX

Kyle Exum

Comedian, Recording Artist, Author, and Digital Creator

Avid Williams

Tenor & Panelist

Inayah Raheem

Mezzo-Soprano

Mina Lavcheva

Violinist

Lilit Hartunian

Violinist

Jason Amos

Violist

Kashe Powell

Jazz Vocalist & Yoga Practitioner

Richard Jimenez

Cellist

Ken Jackson

Visual Artist

Sarah Ruff

Pianist

Jaylin Vinson

Composer

OUR 2026 SPONSORS & PARTNERS

Supporting the vision, culture, and creative legacy of HBCU Arts

Exclusive Sponsors of the VIP Reception

SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

A partnership with Castle of our Skins and HBCU Arts.

WHY SPONSOR?

Support a one-of-a-kind week celebrating Black artistry, HBCU excellence, intergenerational mentorship, and cultural exchange on Martha’s Vineyard.

SUPPORT ARTIST EXCELLENCE

Helps underwrite artist fees

Helps expand public programming and community access to performances and events

ACCESS & COMMUNITY

Elders Council

$20,000+

Everything outlined below, plus...

Recognition as a Presenting Sponsor of the Festival
Premium logo placement on all festival promotional materials
Verbal recognition from stage during the Saturday concert
10 complimentary concert tickets
8 VIP Reception invitations (with guests)
Private meet-and-greet with featured artists and leadership
Opportunity to include branded item in sponsor swag bags
Dedicated sponsor spotlight on social media
Featured story or logo placement in festival email campaign
Option to be a named sponsor of a specific program element (concert, CREDO, showcase, excursion, or student scholarship)
Personalized thank-you gift featuring COOS/HBCU Arts merchandise

BECOME A PRESENTING SPONSOR

Jubilee Society

$5,000-$19,999

6 complimentary concert tickets
6 VIP Reception invitations
Priority logo placement on website and printed materials
Dedicated sponsor acknowledgment on social media
Inclusion in festival press materials where applicable
Recognition during festival welcome remarks
Premium swag bag

BECOME A SPONSOR

Legacy League

$1,000-$4,999

Exclusive access to our VIP Reception on Monday, August 3rd from 4-6pm at West Tisbury Inn
4 complimentary tickets to concert at Union Chapel on Saturday, August 1st
Special acknowledgement in the Festival website and in printed materials
Recognition in sponsor thank-you social media post
Festival swag bag

BECOME A SPONSOR

Cornerstone Club

$250-$999

2 complimentary concert tickets
Listing on festival website
Name included in printed festival materials
Recognition in collective sponsor thank-you post
Festival swag item

BECOME A SPONSOR

Valued Village

Gifts up to $249

Name listed on festival website
Recognition in collective donor listing
Digital thank-you from Castle of our Skins + HBCU Arts

BECOME A SPONSOR

Jubilee Society ($5,000-$19,000)

American Composers Forum

Anonymous
Roxann Chargois Thomas

Legacy League ($1,000-$4,999)

Amistad Center for the Arts

Black Man Lab

Patricc Fortiori

Dr. Jolie Rocke

Cornerstone ($250-$999)

Dr. Michael & Pam Walters

Mawuli Davis
Carman Funeral Home

Josie Daniels

Kiana Caleb

Diane Reece & Eric Botts

Angela Griffin

Françoise Deristel-Leger

Valued Village (Up to $249)

Hazel Edwards

Betsy Huntley

Gwynne Wilcox

Brent Henry

Elsa Jones

Linda Morris

Vince & Lynne Toye

Mason Dorsey

Deborah Collins

Nichole M Benton

Shannon Holder

Sache Marshall

Natasha Sainvius

Kat Becker

Elsa Jones

Suzanne Robinson

Leslie Asllani

Illene Thompson

Pamela Augustine-Jefferson

All sponsorships directly support artist compensation, student participation, community programming, and the continued celebration of Black artistry through HBCU Arts and Castle of our Skins.

HBCU Arts™ preserves culture by fostering workforce and entrepreneurial development to amplify the multidisciplinary creative expressions of artists from historically Black colleges and universities.

ABOUT HBCU ARTS

LEARN MORE

ABOUT CASTLE OF OUR SKINS

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.