We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Victoria Barrow Williams a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Victoria , thanks for joining us today. How did you come up with the idea for your business?

The inception of People Dem Collective (PDC) in Margate, Kent, wasn’t just a business venture; it was a response to a lived experience of a profound lack of space, engagement, and inclusion for Black, Brown, and Diaspora communities. Born out of a collective desire to address these gaps, PDC’s journey was fuelled by the vision of a world where systemic racism could be dismantled through innovation, elevation, and education.

Reflecting on my personal journey, growing up on an estate in Hackney, I was fortunate to have access to art and culture which I discovered through school, community projects and youth clubs intiatives. However, this exposure left me yearning to see individuals who looked like me represented within these spaces. This yearning became a driving force, igniting a personal mission to create access for individuals with similar lived experiences in an industry that often felt exclusionary.

Fast forward to 2019, still with my mission firmly in place, I met a collective of people with similar missions in one shape or another. This was the spark that led to the formation of People Dem Collective, a group of like-minded individuals, including myself, coming together in response to the shared experience of a lack of space and visibility, a collective understanding that if we felt this way, others in our community likely did too.

In those initial months, our gatherings became a testing ground for our concept. Through weekly meetings filled with food, music, art, and poetry, we not only established a collective and organisational structure but also practised the essence of what our cultural centre would embody. It would be a haven where people like us could come together, share their stories, experiences, and culture. It would be a place of education, healing, vitality, and, most importantly, a celebration of art and culture.

The turning point came with the tragic murder of George Floyd. It became clear that our vision needed to scale, and we recognised the potential to serve as a platform not only for our community but also for allies seeking a place to experience our rich culture, receive education, and find support. This realisation underscored the importance of creating cohesion and joy, inspiring us to evolve and expand our vision for People Dem Collective.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

While holding the role of co-founder/director at People Dem Collective, my practice and approach reflect that of a portfolio artist/creative. Operating in this multifaceted manner allows me to create diverse layers in my work, with each experience synergising and complementing the other. For example as a creative producer, my specific role involves collaborating with the We Out Here Festival, where I focus on producing and developing their family program. This engagement not only hones and strengthens my creative muscles but also equips me with the skills, experience, and contacts necessary to contribute to People Dem Collective’s initiatives. Especially in times when funding might be constrained, my ability to serve as a producer becomes instrumental. I can leverage my expertise to curate events and workshops aligned with People Dem Collective’s values, ensuring they meet the required standards.

Additionally, each creative experience I am involved in creates opportunities for access for the community I serve within People Dem Collective. For example, I can generate opportunities for work or even provide chances to experience the festival as an audience member, breaking down potential barriers to such experiences. This work consistently channels into my overarching passion — pioneering community development and dismantling barriers through the transformative power of art and culture.

Most recently, following my own lived experience in developing People Dem Collective and navigating a system challenging for black and brown-led organisations, I found myself reflecting on the principles we advocate, particularly the emphasis on healing. Despite healing being a cornerstone of our work, I realised there was a gap between our principles and my personal practices. This revelation came after encountering someone who had embraced massage as a means to connect with their partner and to learn and develop something outside and not connected to their their full-time work life. Inspired by their journey, I decided to embark on a similar path, experiencing the profound benefits of incorporating a healing practice into my life.

The commitment to healing has not only become a personal endeavor but has also deepened my perspective as a leader within People Dem Collective. It prompts me to consider the importance of healing on a regular basis and underscores the significance of the community we serve being able to engage in and receive the benefits of a healing practice. This transformative journey has added another layer to my approach, reinforcing the belief that true community development involves not only dismantling external barriers but also fostering internal well-being and resilience.

The concept of being a portfolio artist/creative, investing my time and energy in diverse creative endeavours to create layers in my approach, extends seamlessly into learning massage—an additional facet that significantly influences my role as a leader and shapes the way I approach the work at People Dem Collective.

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

I believe one significant factor contributing to the building of People Dem Collective’s reputation within our market is our commitment to transparency. We recognise the importance of openly addressing our successes and, equally, acknowledging our shortcomings. While some might perceive this approach as edgy, we see it as a vital aspect of bringing our community along on our journey.

In an era where cancel culture is pervasive, we are dedicated to fostering a culture of empathy within our community. We understand the significance of creating a space where it’s okay not to get everything right every time. By openly admitting when we fall short and inviting our community into the learning process, we believe we can collectively grow and evolve. This interactive interplay, allowing for both celebration and constructive criticism, sets us apart from organisations that may shy away from such openness.

Our approach not only demonstrates authenticity but also builds a foundation of trust with our community. We believe that through shared experiences, whether they be successes or challenges, we strengthen our connections and collectively contribute to the growth and development of People Dem Collective.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

A transformative chapter in my journey that exemplifies my resilience unfolded a year before the inception of People Dem Collective. During this time, I was deeply embedded in a significant role within a key stakeholder in my town. Driven by my unwavering commitment to community access, I fervently supported local organisations, advocating for event spaces, and securing funding to amplify their initiatives. Collaborating with stakeholders, I freely shared my expertise rooted in lived experiences, particularly as a dual heritage woman, engaging with communities I intimately knew and understood.

In a bold move to challenge the status quo of the art world, I commissioned and collaborated with an artist whose work aimed to create a space for individuals like myself—those who hadn’t always felt welcomed in the traditional art sphere. Together, we crafted a piece that was challenging and groundbreaking, breaking down barriers for audiences who, like me, often felt excluded. This artistic endeavor mirrored my own challenges within the organisation. Despite successfully navigating the complexities of commissioning this impactful piece, I found myself not properly credited for the work.

Simultaneously, I began to recognise the limitations within the organisation, feeling undervalued and confronted with the stark realisation that my upward trajectory was hindered. The parallels between the challenges I faced in this artistic collaboration and my professional journey were striking. Both experiences underscored the disparities existing for black women within creative and professional spaces.

In a pivotal moment of self-discovery, I made the courageous decision to depart from my job with no back up plan in place. While I had previously thought I had built a supportive community through my engagement with various organisations, this transition revealed a different reality. The journey felt isolating, realising that the community I believed I had contributed to wasn’t as steadfast as I thought.

Amidst this uncertainty, a recommendation from a like-minded individual led me to a producing role at the We Out Here Festival—an opportunity that would shape the trajectory of People Dem Collective. This experience, blending the challenges of artistic collaboration and professional navigation, became a cornerstone of my resilience. It deepened my understanding of the significance of authentic community building and highlighted the vital role such connections play as lifelines for individuals facing exclusion. The journey underscored that even in moments of isolation, meaningful opportunities and connections can emerge, and resilience can be a powerful force for positive change.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.peopledemcollective.com
• Instagram: peopledemcollective
• Linkedin: Victoria Barrow Williams
• Youtube: people dem collective

Image Credits
Black and White images are Inky Durant