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The RJC Dance Black Cultural Exchange Project - Updated

19th January 2022

RJC Dance is proud to share our short film series, the Black Cultural Exchange Project. The initiative, funded by Leeds Inspired, is a groundbreaking project that aims to shine a light on Black creatives working in culture and the arts. Each week throughout Black History Month, and each month beyond, we’ll be sharing a series of short films.

These online presentations are designed for all - adults, young people and children can enjoy them. Each one uses Black Culture as the catalyst via: spoken word, story-telling, art, music, Black history and dance, to evoke a creative response.

The Black Cultural Exchange Project brings together a stellar group of accomplished black British freelance artists:

  • Ansell Broderick – Playwright & Dramatist
  • Azizi Cole - Musician & Performer
  • Khadijah Ibrahiim - Poet, Theatre Maker & Artistic Director
  • Dr Emily Zobel Marshall - Author
  • Rhian Kempadoo Millar – Artist & Designer
  • Zodwa Nyoni – Writer & Director
  • Nii Kwartey Owoo – Musician & Performer
  • Sandra Whyles - Studio Potter & Visual Artist
  • Joe Williams – Actor, Writer & Director

The series of films will celebrate, inform and inspire. By delivering the project online, we want to reach out to as many families as possible. Please enjoy and share these incredible films below, which we will add to each week during Black History Month and each month thereafter.

Our Black Cultural Exchange Project videos

Writer and director Ansell Broderick shares his perspectives through song, poems and spoken word in this final installation of the Black Cultural Exchange Project short film series.

Join Rhian Kempadoo Millar on a journey through her art, as she shares her story of how she came to be an artist, and where she finds her inspiration.

Take a glimpse into a pottery studio and discover how Sandra Whyles makes her stunning creations. Learn more about Sandra's work and what pottery and art mean to her.

Here to share the story of Pablo Fanque and explain why a part of Egyptian history is so important to us here in Leeds, is the writer, director and actor Joe Williams.

The last film of October, and Black History Month, introduces us to Dr Emily Zobel Marshall, who shares the stories of the cunning trickster Anansi in this short film. Discover who Anansi was, and enjoy some of the incredible stories. Stay tuned - we'll be sharing more videos each month for the rest of the year, to shine a light on a talented group of Black artists.

Our fourth film features drummer, composer and choreographer Azizi Cole as he joins Nii Kwartey Owoo in sharing their story, their music and what it means to them.

The third of our Black Cultural Exchange Project films features Nii Kwartey Owoo, as he introduces us to the Kpanlogo Dance and what it means to him. Learn some of the key movements and discover the fascinating history behind the dance.

On Friday 8th October, the spotlight shines on the immensely talented Zodwa Nyoni. Born in Zimbabwe, this award-winning Writer and Director shares her story, and invites Lladel Bryant to perform her work 'Ishmael'.

The first of our short films features the celebrated poet Khadijah Ibrahiim, as she takes us on a journey through her work, looking at some of the cultural references she draws upon.

News coverage

We are delighted to see the Black Cultural Exchange Project making headlines in National and Regional press. The Voice - "Britain's Favourite Black Newspaper" shared this story. Meanwhile RJC Dance Director Kathy Williams OLY and poet Khadijah Ibrahiim spoke to ITV Calendar News about the project - watch the clip here.

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