Ceasar Williams
Ceasar Williams | |
|---|---|
| Born | August 13, 1978 Brooklyn, New York, U.S. |
| Occupations |
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| Years active | 1997–present |
| Known for | Founder of Ballroom Throwbacks (BRTB TV) |
| Website | Official site |
Ceasar Williams (born August 13, 1978) is an American cultural archivist, digital media producer, and founder of Ballroom Throwbacks Television (BRTB TV), a prominent online platform dedicated to documenting and preserving ballroom culture. He is also the founder and leader of the House of Alpha Omega, a notable ballroom house. Williams is widely recognized for digitizing rare footage of ballroom events, significantly expanding visibility for a historically Black and Latinx LGBTQ+ art form.[1]
Early life
[edit]Williams was born in Brooklyn, New York, and was adopted at birth. His adoptive mother was a nurse originally from Panama, and his adoptive father was from the Dominican Republic. His family relocated to Long Island during his childhood.[2] Williams first became involved with ballroom culture in the late 1990s and began filming ballroom events around this time. In an interview, he stated, "I’ve been documenting balls on and off since 1997."[3]
Career
[edit]Founding of Ballroom Throwbacks
[edit]In March 2009, Williams launched the YouTube channel Ballroom Throwbacks, uploading archival footage of ballroom events, mostly from the early 2000s. His goal was to showcase rare and “lost” clips to a new generation.[4] The channel evolved into BRTB TV, becoming a comprehensive media outlet for the ballroom community, featuring event coverage, interviews, and runway performances.
Archival preservation
[edit]Williams is considered one of the first to digitize old ballroom footage and share it widely online. According to Vogue, "a guy named Ceasar Will[iams] created Ballroom Throwbacks… the first to digitize old ballroom on YouTube."[5] The LGBTQ+ outlet Xtra called BRTB TV the "official gateway to the underground ballroom culture," hosting numerous voguing battles and runway performances.[6]
The YouTube channel has amassed over 100,000 subscribers and features a wide range of ballroom footage, allowing the scene to reach global audiences.[7]
Media and public engagement
[edit]Williams has been featured in several mainstream publications, including Harper’s Magazine and Vogue, for his role in preserving ballroom culture.[8][9] He also hosts interviews and community programs through BRTB TV and the "Iconic Nobody" podcast. Williams's filming and commentary have become fixtures at major ballroom events.
Google Arts & Culture collaboration
[edit]In 2023, Williams partnered with Google Arts & Culture and LGBTQ+ center Destination Tomorrow to create the "Ballroom in Focus" project, the first comprehensive online archive of ballroom history.[10] Williams helped digitize over 1,000 images from the 1970s to present, curating contributions from ballroom legends and scholars. The digital exhibition includes 25 curated stories and was recognized at Destination Tomorrow’s Angie Awards Gala in 2024 for preserving ballroom heritage.[11]
Triangle web series
[edit]In 2014, Williams co-created and co-directed Triangle, a scripted web drama series centering on the lives of Black gay characters. The series gained a significant following and led to the launch of BRTBtv.com, a streaming platform hosting Triangle and other LGBTQ+ media.[12] The show was recognized by Black LGBTQ organizations, including Black Gifted & Whole, which awarded it a "Rock Star Award."[13]
Recognition and legacy
[edit]Williams is regarded within the ballroom scene as an "Icon" which is an honorific given to individuals with longstanding influence. His work has allowed generations of performers to study ballroom history through footage, helping to ensure its preservation.[14] Williams is credited with enabling ballroom’s mainstream resurgence.[15]
Google referred to him as a "ballroom expert" during their Pride Ball and cultural preservation campaign in 2023.[16] His archival efforts have helped transform ballroom from an ephemeral subculture into a globally documented art form.
Selected filmography
[edit]- Triangle (TV series, 2014–2019) – director and producer
- Dark Horse (TV series, 2016–2018) – director, executive producer
- Davenport Diaries (TV series, 2016– ) – director, writer
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ "Alpha Omega Anarchy Ball at Knockdown Center". TENz Magazine. March 2023. Retrieved July 27, 2025.
- ^ Williams, Ceasar (July 24, 2023). In the Spotlight with Ceasar ALPHA/OMEGA (YouTube). Retrieved July 27, 2025.
- ^ Peterson, Jonathan (September 2018). "It's a Family Affair: Mainstreaming Ballroom and Voguing". Harper’s Magazine.
- ^ Peterson, Jonathan (September 2018). "It's a Family Affair: Mainstreaming Ballroom and Voguing". Harper’s Magazine.
- ^ Vogue Staff (June 2023). "An Oral History of Ballroom". Vogue Magazine.
- ^ "Seven Black LGBTQ2 YouTubers giving us joy". Xtra Magazine. July 27, 2020. Retrieved July 27, 2025.
- ^ Peterson, Jonathan (September 2018). "It's a Family Affair: Mainstreaming Ballroom and Voguing". Harper’s Magazine.
- ^ Peterson, Jonathan (September 2018). "It's a Family Affair: Mainstreaming Ballroom and Voguing". Harper’s Magazine.
- ^ Vogue Staff (June 2023). "An Oral History of Ballroom". Vogue Magazine.
- ^ "Explore the Ballroom Archive". Google Arts & Culture. 2023. Retrieved July 27, 2025.
- ^ "National LGBTQ+ Nonprofit Destination Tomorrow's First Annual Benefit, The Angie Awards, Celebrates the Legacy of Trans Activists". PRWeb. November 4, 2024. Retrieved July 27, 2025.
- ^ "Filmmaker of the Month: Carlos J. Harris". DC Office of Cable Television, Film, Music and Entertainment. February 2016. Retrieved July 27, 2025.
- ^ "Filmmaker of the Month: Carlos J. Harris". DC Office of Cable Television, Film, Music and Entertainment. February 2016. Retrieved July 27, 2025.
- ^ Vogue Staff (June 2023). "An Oral History of Ballroom". Vogue Magazine.
- ^ Vogue Staff (June 2023). "An Oral History of Ballroom". Vogue Magazine.
- ^ "Explore the Ballroom Archive". Google Arts & Culture. 2023. Retrieved July 27, 2025.