Reflections on 30 years: RJC Dance interviews Kathy Williams MBE OLY

As RJC Dance celebrates its 30^th anniversary year, we have been scanning the archives in our exhibition to see all the great things the organisation has achieved so far. We invited RJC Dance original member and Director Kathy Williams MBE. OLY to reflect on how she feels about the milestone, how the organisation is celebrating this year, and what’s in store for the next 30 years.

How are you feeling as RJC Dance celebrates 30 years?

It’s quite overwhelming to know that we have reached 30 years and to see all we have achieved in that time. When I look back on the thousands of children, young people, adults, elders that we have worked with, inspired and supported, I burst with pride. It’s an incredible feeling to see young people overcome their challenges or fears, develop in confidence and be alongside their journey as they grow and mature. I’ve had the privilege of seeing many take their first steps into adult life, making important choices about their future. Witnessing our young people use their experience with RJC Dance Youth Provision as a platform or foundation on which to build, is incredible.

I’ve also reflected back on the founder Edward Lynch MBE and original members De-Napoli Clarke, Donald Edwards, David Hamilton MBE, Martin Robinson, Joe Williams, the staff team, board of trustees, volunteers, our key stakeholders, cheerleaders and the children and young people, because without them and their investment in RJC Dance, none of this would have been possible. I just feel extremely grateful and privileged to be leading such an amazing and impactful organisation.

For you, what have some of the highlights of this 30^th anniversary year been so far?

There have been so many! This year at Leeds West Indian Carnival (see our recap on Carnival here) we won Best Youth Troupe and Best Troupe overall, which was testament to all the hard work that was put in during the summer by all involved. Getting to celebrate our 30^th anniversary year with the incredible creative Rhian Kempadoo Millar was fantastic. Rhian is a skilful and innovative designer. Nillanthie Morton is another artist I must mention, for his enthralling choreography at Leeds West Indian Carnival. Mapping his route from a Youth Provision member, to alumnus of RJC Dance and the Northern School of Contemporary Dance, to a staff member and developing his passion, is just wonderful. Sharing our heritage at our 30^th anniversary exhibition hosted by the Reginald Centre Community Hub & Library in Chapeltown was a tremendous success.

Receiving my MBE at Buckingham Palace was a momentous occasion. The recognition was humbling, to be honoured was a real surprise – and it’s been heart-warming to celebrate with family, friends , stakeholders and the team here at RJC Dance.

Take yourself back 30 years – how has the organisation changed over that time?

I think we were doing amazing work then, and we’re still doing amazing work now. That’s all been down to the foundations laid by the original members, our staff team, the Board of Trustees, our Friends of RJC Dance, stakeholders and the generations of families connected to this organisation. Collectively we have built the organisation and continue to nurture and develop more children and young people than we did at the onset.

There have been ups and downs, and periods where it felt like we were going from hand to mouth as we strived to secure a future. The fundraising has been a huge challenge – we’ve struggled but survived. We’ve demonstrated resilience to enhance and secure our home. It’s been ongoing, however our tenacity sees us through.

A tough question now – what have you enjoyed most in your time here with RJC Dance?

Working with children and young people, definitely. Watching them develop and realise their goals, watching them learn, gain skills, enjoy and achieve as they’ve navigated through the pathways of RJC Dance Youth Provision. There are so many children who started here at four years old and are still with us at 18 years and beyond. I think about all those relationships that they have built with the staff teams, the volunteers and the other young people they’ve become friends with. They’ve made friends for life. Some of the young people have even been fortunate enough to participate in our international youth exchanges to Sweden, France and Denmark, and have maintained friendships abroad.

It's about their journey, through RJC Dance Youth Provision and beyond. Nillanthie is testament to that. If you’d have asked him at 13/14 years of age, if he could imagine still being with the organisation in 2023, I don’t think he would have said yes. At that time he didn’t see his future in the arts, so to see what he’s accomplished today is amazing.

It's a wonderful feeling when our alumni return back to our home at the Mandela Centre. Many of them come and introduce their children to us expressing their wishes to join the Provision, so that they too can experience the joy of dance, movement and exercise, the way they did. We’ve always had an open-door policy, and I love that people feel they can come down and connect with us. I delight in the family environment that has been created here – people want to be a part of it. The orange hoody and RJC Dance Youth Provision t-shirt is like a badge of honour, and people who don’t have one often say that they feel like they’re missing out.

What legacy do you think RJC Dance has left so far?

I think that RJC Dance have left a legacy of culture and heritage. The legacy they’ve also left and continues to service is the investment in children and young people. They value young people, their voices and their health and well-being. RJC Dance help bring about a vibrant energy and self-expression through dance, movement and exercise is a wonderful legacy in itself. I’m hoping that those individuals will instil dance, exercise and well-being into their own children, so that this way becomes part of their of their daily life.

What’s to come, as you look to the next 30 years?

I think it’s about resilience and stability - stabilising our foundations and amazing, impactful service for the next generations of diverse artists contributing to the creative industries. I’m truly excited about the next 30 years and beyond.

Special thanks to Arts Council England and Leeds City Council.