Local Girl Scouts learn how to Step
Step Afrika and the Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana partnered for a Stepping Workshop at Jones College Prep High School. PHOTO PROVIDED BY THE GIRL SCOUTS OF GREATER CHICAGO AND NORTHWEST INDIANA.
In the auditorium of Jones College Prep, girls in yellow t-shirts watched intently as Step Afrika performed on stage. After the group performed, the girls who are Girl Scouts were invited to come up on stage.
“When it comes to Step Afrika, we have to warm up so we can do everything you saw us do,” said a young woman in a black headwrap as she took the girls through a series of warm up exercises while Amapiano music played.
More than 150 girls attended the stepping workshop on Saturday, Nov. 11th, which was a partnership between Step Afrika and the Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana.
Step Afrika is the first professional dance company in the world that is dedicated to the art form of stepping. At Step Afrika, their mission is to promote and preserve the art form. One of the ways they do that is through their arts education programming, which they do across the country and around the globe. Step Afrika is celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2024.
Stepping is a highly energetic, polyrhythmic, percussive dance form that was created by African American college students in the early 1900s. Those African American college students developed Greek Letter Fraternities and Sororities to create a sense of community. In addition to doing community service, promoting academics and scholarships, they also fellowshipped in brotherhood and sisterhood. One of the ways they came together in brotherhood and sisterhood is through stepping.
Artis Olds, Director of Arts Education and Community Programs with Step Afrika, said the Girl Scouts have been a phenomenal partner.
“We truly believe that this is the beginning of a long-term partnership where we will have the opportunity to consistently engage their young people to help utilize stepping as a tool to push teamwork, commitment and discipline, which are the core pillars of Step Afrika’s education programs,” he said.
Olds said that now stepping is celebrated by thousands of people worldwide and has even made its way to the mainstream through movies like “School Daze” and “Stomp the Yard.” Artists like Beyonce have also performed step routines during concerts. Olds was happy to bring Step Afrika to Chicago, which is his hometown. Step Afrika is headquartered in Washington, DC.
“The only thing you need in order to step is a desire to try something new and the bravery to do it. I hope the Girl Scouts really do take hold of those core pillars that we always preach everywhere we go, which is teamwork, commitment and discipline. Those are things we have discovered serve us well as we’ve traveled the globe and those things we want our young people to take hold of,” he said.
McKenzie Crayton is a Girl Scout who participated in the stepping workshop. Her favorite part of the workshop was learning how to do the blade and the rocking horse. McKenzie’s mom, Monique Joshua, brought McKenzie to the workshop because she is very interested in dancing and participated in African stepping in summer school. It was an opportunity for her to learn more step routines.
Nicole Gardner is a staff member at Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana. The program is offered to more than 700 girls.
“This is a great opportunity to expose the girls to something they may not be exposed to in their normal life. It’s good for them to be exposed to their culture, step ,dance and the arts. I believe heavily in the arts. All the girls are participating and they look like they’re having a lot of fun,” Gardner said.
Step Afrika is preparing for a 60-city tour in January 2024. For more information about Step Afrika, visit www.stepafrika.org.
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