Shades was started in 1988 by Titilayo Ngwenya and a small group of other Yale freshmen at a pre-orientation program for students of color now known as Cultural Connections. Performances during the early years of Yale's youngest singing group took place at the Durfee's Convenience Store on Old Campus. 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.

Durfee's Convenience Store, Old Campus

Currently, Shades presents three annual singing jams on campus. At the beginning of each academic year, the group auditions incoming students and replaces members who have graduated with “new taps.” All Shades members must be full-time undergraduate students at Yale University.