About UsCAAPA is where tradition meets transformation.
Our Mission Bringing COLOR to the CLASSICS!™
The Coalition for African Americans in the Performing Arts (CAAPA) makes the classical performing arts more accessible to the Black diaspora through arts education, performance opportunities, and community engagement.
In addition to promoting the Black classical arts and performing artists, we focus on audience development — multigenerational audiences in general, and Black audiences in particular!
Our Vision A world where Black classical performing arts thrive!
The entire CAAPA team desires to promote and support all performers and diligently seeks to recognize talent by helping to broaden the audience’s consciousness and stimulate the appreciation of the contributions of African American classical artists.
We love supporting lifelong learners — whether emerging artists, professionals, or audience members.
CAAPA Values
CREATIVITY
COMMUNITY
EDUCATION
COLLABORATION
ENRICHMENT
CAAPA is committed to promoting equitable education and performance opportunities in the classical performing arts while holding to standards of excellence.
Our Impact
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15k+
Lives transformed through 23 years of programming
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+40%
Increase in Black classical music participation in the DMV area
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95%
Our scholarship recipients continue professionally in the performing arts
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3:1 ROI
Every dollar invested returns $3 in community impact
Facts About CAAPA
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Since its founding, CAAPA has collaborated with over 175 artists and creatives, including 69 volunteers, 32 baritones, 57 sopranos, 17 tenors, 8 dancers, 26 musicians, 6 poets, 3 music historians, and even 1 Miss America — all united in uplifting African American performing arts.
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CAAPA proudly achieved IRS 501(c)(3) certification in 2015, officially recognizing its commitment to charitable arts programming and community impact.
Since then, CAAPA has demonstrated exceptional success in grant acquisition:
143 grants applied
103 grants awarded
Over $3.5 million in funding secured
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Since 2018, CAAPA Camp has empowered over 400 students through accelerated arts programs and transformative life experiences — nurturing the next generation of African American artists and leaders.
Community Voices
Transforming lives by “Bringing COLOR to the CLASSICS™”
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"CAAPA has a major impact on the community, bringing color to the classics, allowing audiences access to a variety of visual and performing arts."
— Kathi Muhammad
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![A colorful pie chart with sections in red, yellow, green, and blue, with the blue section forming part of a stylized letter 'G'.]()
"I've met some wonderful people and participated in activities such as yoga, choral group, zumba, the theater, and much more."
— Veronica Plater
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"Outstanding program that provides activities stimulating education and growth in health, cognition, movement, music, and social skills."
— Jo Ann Edelin
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"CAAPA provides the opportunity to enjoy quality performances at affordable prices."
— Helane Miller
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"Great program, with exposure to the arts that I may have not been a part of before. Thank you"
— Sandra Hall
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"Nice place for 60+ center. Good place to make friends. Very welcoming and focused on personal development."
— Marie Vyas
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![Close-up of a smiling man with a bald head, light skin, and brown eyes, outdoors with green foliage in the background.]()
"An incredible non-profit organization serving everyone from kids to seniors, general audiences to master artists."
— Tony Howell
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![Google logo with a multicolored G in blue, red, yellow, and green.]()
"Great facility for weddings, family reunions, birthday parties, and more. Great location. Plenty parking."
— Katie Sheppard
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"A fantastic experience."
— Constance Moore
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"High Quality Entertainment"
— Sylvia Beverly
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"Absolutely one of the best African American Charities that supports artists"
— Lawrence Ford
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![Google logo with colored segments in red, yellow, green, and blue.]()
"The presentation on safe travel tips was informative and helpful. I purchased several items mentioned and felt safer using them."
— Betty Marshall
Our History
From humble beginnings to its preeminent place in the classical arts, CAAPA proudly continues its legacy of developing Black arts, artists, and audiences.
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![Volcanic landscape with colorful rocks, steam rising, snow patches, and a glacier in the background under a cloudy sky.]()
2002
On November 27th, the State of Maryland approves CAAPA as a nonprofit entity — the beginning of a movement to transform classical music in America.
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![A rugged landscape with colorful, steaming geothermal features in the foreground, brown and orange rocks, and snow-capped mountains in the background under a cloudy sky.]()
2004
CAAPA hosts the Poetry Extravaganza at the MLK Library in Washington, DC. Hosts were Congressman John Lewis, Terri Allen, Jackie Gayles Webb, and Joy Alford.
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![A rugged landscape featuring rocky, reddish-brown terrain with steam rising from hot springs, snowy patches, and a glacier on distant mountains under a cloudy sky.]()
2005
Our first "Painting, Poetry, Puccini, and Pasta" event launches on the eve of the Black Congressional Congress. Featuring Pamela Simonson, Victor Simonson, and Kisna Davis at a coffeeshop in Silver Spring, MD, this intimate gathering of 35 people costs just $492 — proving that great art doesn't require a big budget.
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![A rugged landscape with colorful, smooth rocks in the foreground, snow patches on dark mountains in the middle ground, and cloudy sky overhead.]()
2010
CAAPA's first "Melody of Art" fundraiser debuts at National Harbor, establishing what becomes our signature annual celebration.
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![A rugged landscape with multicolored rocks, some steam rising, and snow patches on distant mountains under cloudy sky.]()
2013
October 26th brings the magical "Gershwin & Grits Brunch Cruise" on the Potomac River — blending American classics with Southern comfort in an unforgettable floating concert experience.
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![A rugged landscape with large, smooth, tan-colored rocks in the foreground, snow patches on dark mountain slopes, and a glacier with crevasses in the background, under a cloudy sky.]()
2014
CAAPA launches its first Scholarship Program, beginning our commitment to nurturing the next generation of Black classical artists.
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![Volcanic landscape with steaming hot springs, colorful rocks, and snow-capped mountains in the background.]()
2015
June: The IRS approves CAAPA's 501(c)(3) status, making us an official tax-deductible nonprofit organization. We celebrate by hosting our first MasterClass at Morgan State University, featuring the incredible Angela Brown.
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![A mountainous landscape with brown, rocky terrain and patches of snow, with a glacier in the background under a cloudy sky.]()
2016
October marks a milestone as CAAPA receives its first grant from Prince Georges County Government — validation of our growing impact in the community.
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![A rugged volcanic landscape with orange and brown rocks, patches of snow, melting ice, and steam rising from hot springs, under a cloudy sky.]()
2017
The first CAAPA Camp opens its doors at Dodge Park Elementary School in Prince Georges County, MD, creating a summer sanctuary where young artists can flourish.
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![A rugged landscape with colorful, rocky terrain and patches of snow, with a glacier in the distance under a cloudy sky.]()
2018
CAAPA makes its debut on the Millennium Stage at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC, featuring the talented Malia Waldren — a moment that announces our arrival on the national stage.
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![A rugged volcanic landscape with colored rocks, steaming geothermal features, and patches of snow under a cloudy sky.]()
2019
November brings the grand opening of the CAAPA Cultural Center (CCC) in Fort Washington, MD — our hub and home where creativity and community converge daily.
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![Icelandic landscape with colorful geothermal rocks, steam rising from hot springs, snow patches, and cloudy sky.]()
2020
When COVID-19 forces the world indoors, CAAPA pivots seamlessly to streaming programming, proving that music transcends physical boundaries and keeps communities connected.
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![Mountain landscape with snow patches, volcanic rocks, and steaming geothermal activity under a cloudy sky.]()
2021
During the pandemic's darkest hours, CAAPA distributes $30,000 to out-of-work CAAPA alumni who have performed at various events before COVID — embodying our commitment to supporting artists through every season.
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![An older woman with curly gray hair singing passionately with her hands raised, standing in front of a microphone, wearing a multicolored zigzag patterned dress, with a pianist in the background.]()
2022
CAAPA pioneers live and pay-per-view streaming with Angela Brown's groundbreaking production "Opera from a Sistah's Point of View" — revolutionizing how classical music reaches diverse audiences.
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![A lively celebration with a performance by a woman in a cheerleading outfit holding pom-poms, surrounded by seated elderly people, a band on stage, balloons shaped as '60',]()
2023
The launch of 60+ ARTS and ARTS Academy expands our reach across generations, proving that artistic passion knows no age limits.
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![An orchestra on stage with performers in costumes, including a person with an eagle mask, a person in a gray wolf costume, and dancers in colorful costumes, during a performance.]()
2024
CAAPA presents "Peter and the Wolf" featuring actress Phyllisha Rashad as narrator, performed with the Prince Georges County Philharmonic Orchestra at the Prince Georges County Community College Performing Arts Center — a triumphant collaboration showcasing our artistic excellence.
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![A rugged landscape with colorful rock formations, patches of snow, and a glacier in the background under a cloudy sky.]()
2025
CAAPA relocates the CAAPA Cultural Center (CCC) to a larger location in Temple Hills, MD, and launches our completely redesigned website — stepping boldly into our next chapter of growth and impact.
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