COOS Crew Spotlight: D. Elaine Hall-Corbin

At Castle of our Skins, we lovingly call our audience, supporters, friends, and performers the COOS Crew. Once you’re in, you’re family forever.

Today we’re celebrating one of our dearest family members—the founding member of the COOS Crew, our biggest fan, and the person you can always spot front row center at every single COOS performance: D. Elaine Hall-Corbin.

A Voice for Black and Brown Artists

Elaine is a lifelong champion for Black artistry. For the past 18 years, she has served as the producer of Artists of Color, a televised series she created at BNN Media. What began as a response to community stories being told without the voices of their creators has blossomed into a powerful platform for Black and Brown artists to share their truth in their own words.

“I love it when my guests feel like they’re coming home. That makes me feel really good.”

– Elaine Hall-Corbin

Through Artists of Color, Elaine has welcomed a host of COOS Crew to the screen: our Co-Founder and Artistic Director Ashleigh Gordon, our Executive Director Ciyadh Wells, teaching artists like Diji Kay and Alexis Peart, and many more.

Building Community Through Humanistic Communications

Elaine is also the Founder and Executive Director of Humanistic Communications, Inc., an organization dedicated to uplifting Black and Brown artists and amplifying community voices.

Their programs include:

• Artists of Color – The long-running television series spotlighting Black and Brown creatives.

• Humanistic Guide – A publication celebrating cultural contributions and community narratives. (Check out her profiles on past COOS performances)

• Voices of Sisterhood – An intergenerational program where women and girls use visual art and creative writing to connect, express themselves, and share wisdom.

Each of these projects shares Elaine’s mission: creating spaces where people of color feel safe, seen, and celebrated.

The Power of Showing Up

Elaine does what Black women have done for generations: she shows up. She supports. She cheerleads. She makes artists feel like their work is valuable.

At a time when division runs deep and true community can feel rare, Elaine reminds us of what is possible when we commit to being present for each other. Her energy, joy, and unwavering support light up every COOS event.

Elaine, front row center, at the ribbon-cutting ceremony for COOS future headquarters

Elaine, front row center, at the ribbon-cutting ceremony for COOS future headquarters

Elaine photographing a poem at Them Poems Alone Won't Save Us

Elaine poeses with an original poem by Carmin Wong at Them Poems Alone Won't Save Us

Join the COOS Crew

Elaine is proof that being part of the COOS Crew means being part of a family. The kind of family that sustains, uplifts, and celebrates.

So the next time you’re at a Castle of our Skins performance, look for Elaine in the front row. Say hello. Let her inspire you to join her in showing up for Black artistry.

And if you’d like to support our work the way Elaine does, consider:

• Attending an upcoming performance

• Donating to sustain our mission

• Spreading the word about Castle of our Skins

  
  

Because at the end of the day, COOS Crew is for life. And we couldn’t do this without community-builders like D. Elaine Hall-Corbin, who make every gathering feel like home.