FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 4, 2025
Contact: kelly@epitaph.com

LEYLA MCCALLA JOINS SHOCKOE INSTITUTE AS FOUNDING ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

ON TOUR THIS SPRING AND SUMMER

Photo Credit: Chris Scheurich

Today, the Shockoe Institute announced musician Leyla McCalla as the organization’s Founding Artistic Director. Headquartered in Richmond, Virginia, the Shockoe Institute is a national organization dedicated to revealing the enduring impact of racial slavery on our shared American experience. McCalla shared this statement following the announcement:    

"I am elated to be joining the Shockoe Institute as Founding Artistic Director. To say that I feel deeply aligned with the Institute's mission is an understatement. My work as an artist has always sought to learn about history, to try to understand its relationship to today, and to use what I’ve learned, alchemizing the lessons into songs. It is my strong belief that all art deepens our empathy and connection with one another, and I’m truly honored to have been given this opportunity.    

In this role, I aim to curate events that encompass a range of cross-disciplinary performances, readings, and panel discussions, presented by artists of all mediums who are exploring the stories that emanate from our shared history.    

It is our sacred responsibility to address, and sometimes confront, existing narratives with an unwavering commitment to truth, accuracy, and with a spirit of generosity. My aim is to curate programming that will welcome all into the Shockoe Institute to promote deeper understanding of our shared American experience. Given the current landscape, this work feels essential to our national conversation regarding how we can live and thrive together. In the words of the great Toni Morrison, this is when artists 'get to work.' This is the perfect time for community gathering, reckoning, and acting. Though the dream of freedom for all in this country may not yet be manifest, the reaching must never stop.      

I look forward to a fruitful and inspiring collaboration with my colleagues at the Shockoe Institute and to sharing this journey with you all along the way."  
 
In the spring of last year, McCalla released her latest album via ANTI- titled 'Sun Without The Heat’. An album that is simultaneously playful and full of joy while also holding the pain and tension of transformation, listen to it HERE. 
 
Born in New York City to Haitian emigrants and activists, McCalla’s music vibrates with three centuries of history and influences from around the globe. She possesses a stunning mastery of the cello, tenor banjo and guitar and, as a multilingual singer and songwriter, has risen to produce a distinctive sound that reflects the union of her roots and experience. In addition to her solo work, McCalla is a founding member of Our Native Daughters (with Rhiannon Giddens, Amythyst Kiah and Allison Russell) and alumna of Grammy award-winning Black string band The Carolina Chocolate Drops.   

“We are honored to have someone as talented and passionate as Leyla joining the Shockoe Institute,” said Shockoe Institute President & CEO Marland Buckner. “Her creativity and artistry will be essential to furthering our mission to reveal the enduring impact of racial slavery on our shared American experience, amplifying the scope of our programming, and engaging new audiences.”  
 
McCalla will also be participating in some exciting shows this spring and summer, including performances with the Louisiana Philharmonic, Taj Mahal, Rhiannon Giddens and more. All upcoming dates are listed below and tickets can be found here: https://leylamccalla.com/tour  

The Shockoe Institute is a national organization headquartered in Richmond, Virginia, dedicated to revealing the enduring impact of racial slavery on our shared American experience. The Institute has undertaken a transformative project to develop an over 12,000 square foot exhibition and educational facility, located in Shockoe Bottom at Richmond’s historic Main Street Station. The Institute is an independent, nonprofit entity that will serve as a place of learning, reflection, and action by examining the evolution of racial slavery in the Commonwealth, Richmond’s pivotal role in America’s internal trade in enslaved people, and the national ramifications of this history. Through data informed, evidence-based examination of America’s legacy of enslavement, the Shockoe Institute seeks to play a constructive role in creating solutions to help create a better future. Learn more at shockoeinstitute.org. 
 
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TOUR DATES 
March 15 – New Orleans, LA - Leyla McCalla with the Louisiana Philharmonic 
April 12 – Seattle, WA – Leyla McCalla and Taj Mahal @ Meany Hall 
April 25 – 27 – Durham, NC @ Biscuits and Banjos 
May 3 – New Orleans, LA @ New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival 2025 
June 3 – New York, NY @ World Premiere of PRISM Quartet’s Guitar Heroes 
June 4 – Philadelphia, PA @ World Premiere of PRISM Quartet’s Guitar Heroes 
June 18 – Los Angeles, CA @ Hollywood Bowl w/ Rhiannon Giddens 
June 20 – Somerville, MA @ The Center For Arts at the Armory 
June 21 – Greenfield, MA @ Green River Festival 2025 

https://leylamccalla.com/ 
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For More Info on Leyla McCalla, Contact: 
Kelly Kettering | ANTI- Records Publicity | kelly@epitaph.com