Royal Elite Queens achieve success in more than just majorette dance
Shunbrica Dozier says the Royal Elite Queens majorette dance team she founded a dozen years ago in Gadsden isn’t just about entertainment, although the squad did that well enough to place first in a recent regional competition in Sylvester, Georgia.
The goal is to give at-risk kids something to do — something to take pride in — and motivate them for success in life.
“I’m trying to serve the community and get at-risk kids out of the streets,” Dozier said, “at-risk youth that could possibly be in trouble doing things they have no business doing.”
The Royal Elite Queens have 46 members, ranging in age from 6 to 18, practicing majorette dance, a genre that melds an assortment of styles, such as ballet, cabaret, hip-hop and jazz. It’s popular at Historically Black Colleges and Universities in the South.
Dozier — who has no dance experience; she was a cheerleader at Litchfield High School — said the squad is nonprofit and doesn’t charge anyone to participate.
“We have single parents, single moms and dads who can’t afford to get their kids in these (high-cost) programs,” she said. “Some schools are charging kids $3,000 and $4,000, but my program, no.”
Members get to dance; the Royal Elite Queens have competed in Atlanta, Birmingham and Florida, and participated in the Gadsden City High School and Alabama A&M University homecoming parades and the battle of the bands at the Magic City Classic.
They’re set to take part in a Battle Royale event Nov. 11 at 210 at the Tracks, a fundraiser hosted by Crown Beauty Warriors to provide wigs and hair services for people who have lost their hair because of medical treatments or conditions like alopecia.
However, participants get a lot more. “It's about opening up doors and giving them opportunities,” Dozier said. “It’s not just about majorette and dancing.”
She brings in local business, church and political leaders “to encourage them and talk to them, and keep them motivated.” She said it’s become a “sisterhood,” where “we build these kids of for the future — for a better future.”
Dozier said young people can get scared and discouraged when they don’t see anything for them to do in Gadsden unless they’re inclined toward sports.
“We offer these types of things that give them a chance to be involved in competitions,” Dozier said. “In Gadsden, they praise football, but there’s nothing else for these babies who are wanting to get involved in other things. I just give them that outlet.”
Dozier is no stranger to community service. She’s led the local Race Against Injustice Now chapter and is involved in the Gadsden Free Store at 914 Forrest Ave.
“That’s what I do; I’m a servant in the community and I give back,” she said. “That’s where my heart is.”
She said she’s led the Royal Elite Queens for so long that she feels God called her to it, and gets a special feeling when she sees members go on to achieve things in life.
“It’s so satisfying to see them grow up and go to school and come back and tell me, ‘You made a difference in my life; if I hadn’t had this, I wouldn’t have had anything to be a part of,' ” she said. “I’ve had kids tell me that being a part of this organization saved their lives.”
Dozier said “it’s just me” as far as running the team, and that while additional funding from grants and other sources would be welcome, "I don’t go out there begging for help. If people see it on their hearts to give to these babies, I let them.”
Those interested in helping or seeking general information about the program can contact Dozier at 256-399-6542 or shunbrica@gmail.com.
This article originally appeared on The Gadsden Times: Profiling Gadsden's Royal Elite Queens dance troupe
