Shades is a unique co-educational a cappella group at Yale University. Shades was founded in 1988 at a pre-orientation program for students of color now known as Cultural Connections. The group's repertoire is rooted in music of the African Diaspora, a tradition that until the emergence of Shades had not established itself amongst Yale's a cappella community. Drawing on the rich ethnic and musical backgrounds of its members, Shades strives to achieve the most dynamic and powerful musical presentation possible, with a focus on African-American music, particularly R&B, gospel, jazz, pop, and traditional music.