June 30, 2025: Help Celebrate 30 Years of Step Afrika!
Monday Morning Magic from Inkandescent® PR + Publishing Co. — I had the pleasure this weekend of joining a group of friends for the 30th anniversary celebration of Step Afrika!, at the Strathmore Music Center in Maryland. What a performance!
Founded in 1994 by C. Brian Williams, Step Afrika! is the world’s leading authority on the art form of stepping. Under his leadership, stepping has evolved into one of America’s cultural exports, touring more than 60 countries worldwide and ranking as one of the top 10 African American Dance Companies in the US.
Step Afrika! blends percussive dance styles practiced by historically African American fraternities and sororities; traditional African dances; and an array of contemporary dance and art forms into a cohesive, compelling artistic experience. Performances are much more than dance shows; they integrate songs, storytelling, humor, and audience participation. The blend of technique, agility, and pure energy makes each performance unique and it leaves the audience with their hearts pounding.
Founded in 1994 by C. Brian Williams, Step Afrika! is the world’s leading authority on the art form of stepping.
A native of Houston, Texas, and a graduate of Howard University, Williams launched a one-time cultural festival in Johannesburg at age 25. He says he never imagined he was laying the foundation for a groundbreaking arts organization that would span continents. “I had no idea it would be the thing I’d do for the rest of my life. Back then, I just wanted to create the Step Afrika! International Cultural Festival, have a great time and move on.”
More than two decades later, Step Afrika! has performed in over 60 countries, toured off-Broadway, and become a vital platform for arts education, cultural preservation, and Black artistic excellence. The organization employs 19 full-time artists, making it the largest employer of dancers of color in Washington, DC. The company also holds national auditions each May to discover and recruit emerging talent. “We want to create full-time, excellent places of employment for Black artists. The form we celebrate comes from African American culture and history and we honor that daily.”
From Vietnam to Ecuador to rural towns in Africa: Audiences are moved by the power and precision of stepping. “It’s amazing to see how people of all backgrounds respond to this tradition,” Williams said. “I love the theater. Art brings people together.”
If you haven’t witnessed the magic of this troupe: Click here to see when the dancers are coming to a venue near you!
Until next Monday: Let’s give applause to the world’s leading authority on the art form of stepping, and come together to support one of the top 10 African American dance companies in the US. — Hope Katz Gibbs, founder and president, Inkandescent® Inc. Inkandescent.us
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