RJC Dance Director Kathy Williams OLY is awarded an MBE

With the recent announcement of the King’s New Year’s Honours List, we wish to share to share that Kathy Williams OLY, Director at RJC Dance, has been awarded an MBE for her services to dance. We are proud that all Kathy’s hard work and dedication has been recognised with this award, which is so well deserved. It is fantastic that such a respected figure from our community is being seen alongside other worthy recipients in this list.

Kathy comments:

‘I am so thrilled and humbled to be given this prestigious award, especially in 2023, our 30th anniversary year’

An alumna of the Northern School of Contemporary Dance, Kathy joined RJC Dance in 1993 and toured with the organisation until 1997. Prior to this she was the first black British artistic gymnast to represent Great Britain internationally and at the Olympic Games.

Kathy’s passion and drive has always centred around the development of children and young people. She was instrumental in shaping and developing the award winning RJC Dance Youth Provision, working with children and young people aged 6 – 17yrs.
There is no doubt of the value, significance and impact of RJC Dance on the youth dance scene in Leeds and West Yorkshire. Our trailblazing organisation has brought Black British dance excellence to communities for almost 30 years, making an important contribution to engagement with diversity in dance during this time.

Furthermore, thanks to her commitment to these goals, Kathy had also been honoured with several other accolades and acknowledgements:

• Nominated as a Leeds Hero, part of the Waterfront Arts Project 2022
• Certificate of Appreciation – in recognition of outstanding and tireless service within the local community during the coronavirus pandemic – awarded by Councillor Eileen Taylor, Lord Mayor of Leeds in 2020
• One Dance UK ‘Lifetime Achievement Award’ in Dance of the African Diaspora 2020

RJC Dance exists to provide opportunities for the people of Leeds, the surrounding areas and beyond, to experience the sheer joy of Black British dance, irrespective of social, economic or cultural barriers. Part of Kathy’s legacy is to ensure that the future is bright, empowering communities via dance, movement, exercise, healthy creative arts and cultural opportunities. RJC Dance is a highly regarded socio-cultural asset, recognising the diversity of Black British Dance as a valued artform.

RJC Dance is committed to developing Black British Dance language as a strategic narrative as opposed to just a style, building legacy and the recognition of cultural ancestry.