About us
Our founders
Susan Pitter (left) and Dawn Cameron (right)
Dawn Cameron
Dawn’s extensive work and expertise in the arts, heritage and cultural sectors has led to her co-founding the dynamic, and much-anticipated, Out of Many People CIC.
Dawn supports the development of programmes which enable arts- and culture-lovers to co-author and co-curate content, thus allowing for more diverse, accessible and much-wanted events.
Her areas of experience and interest include research and evaluation in the arts, cultural and heritage sectors; audience development; and development of community engagement strategies and approaches.
Dawn delivers her work through her company, Cameron & Ltd. For further information about the company and its work, please visit cameronand.co.uk
Together with Out of Many People co-founder Susan Pitter, Dawn will share responsibility for organisational development, strategic plans and the CIC’s values.
Dawn is also a PhD researcher at the University of Leeds where her research focuses on the ways in which ideas about race, place and community engagement intersect in the operationalisation of Bradford City of Culture 2025.
Susan Pitter
Susan is a cultural heritage producer regarded as a partnerships and community engagement expert and in 2014 was named Leeds City Council’s Corporate Partner of the Year, for “making cultural projects happen that simply would not have happened.” In 2001 she became the first Black Lady Mayoress of Leeds, has served as a Trustee on several boards including Leeds Playhouse and National Poetry Centre.
She is committed to centring Black British narratives in her work – diasporic experiences, impact, presence, history, heritage, art, culture, activism and more. From 2013-17, with fellow Out of Many People founder Dawn Cameron, she raised over £1 million in funding and sponsorship for the Leeds and wider UK Caribbean carnival sector.
Susan’s work with the Jamaica Society Leeds has seen her curate and lead the acclaimed 2019 Eulogy Project on the lives of first-generation Jamaicans who settled in Leeds during the 1940s to 60s. Told through the lens of the photos and tributes included in their funeral programmes, the Eulogy exhibition is still the most visited exhibition in Leeds Central Library’s 140-year history.
In 2020 she curated colourised Eulogy images for the Back to Life online gallery and was named one of eight National Lottery Heritage Champions whose images were superimposed on the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Stonehenge, in recognition of their work.
In 2022/23 Susan directed the Society’s Out of Many Festival for which she curated two exhibitions; Rebellion to Romance on second-generation West Indians coming of age in 1970s and 80s Leeds and For King, Country & Home exploring the lives of the city’s West Indian WW2 RAF servicemen and their families.
Our mission
Out of Many People is on a mission to champion, protect and preserve culture, heritage and arts in Leeds and the wider Yorkshire & Humber rooted in Black British, Caribbean and African diaspora narratives.
Our vision
To lead and inspire true and meaningful representation and value of Black talent, arts and heritage in the North’s culture sector.
Our values
Authenticity
Developing Out of Many People as a Black-led and centred organisation.
Excellence
Bringing exceptional, Black-centred programming and talent to Leeds and the wider Yorkshire & Humber region with high production values.
Storytelling
Illuminating the eras, moments, movements, milestones and voices – past, present and to come – that shape Black British, Caribbean and African diasporic culture.
Reach
Prioritising Leeds and the wider Yorkshire & Humber region. Programming national and international names as well as local community contributors with equal respect.
Knowledge
Knowing our audiences, how to inspire and engage them. Underpinning all we do with considered research and consultation.
Collabortation
Partnering with the culture sector, academia, artists, communities and others who embrace the value, impact and importance of Black culture, audiences and creatives.
Nurturing talent
For now and the future – learning and development opportunities for Black talent and leadership at all stages of their creative journeys.
Resilience
Backing up our passions with governance, policies and processes to support our long-term goals and sustainability.
