The rhythmic sounds of hands clapping and feet stomping echo through the hallways of D.A. Hulcy STEAM Middle School as step team students practice routines.
“I joined the step team because I grew up around a lot of Black Greek life,” said Alaiyah D., whose exposure to sororities and fraternities sparked her interest.
For D’Moni, it was the artistry that caught his attention.
“I love watching all the cool movements and the facials,” he said. “They just looked so interesting.”
Step dancing, commonly known as stepping, is more than an artistic expression. Its roots trace back to African traditions and evolved through African American culture by blending rhythm, movement, and storytelling.
According to the World of Step League, stepping gained popularity in the United States during the 1960s on the campuses of historically Black colleges and universities, also known as HBCUs.
At Hulcy, the tradition is carried forward by Ryan Brown, an eighth-grade social studies teacher who founded the school’s step team in 2017.
Brown said she wanted to provide students with the same opportunities that shaped her own educational journey. Brown began stepping in middle school and continued through college, where she became a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated. For her, stepping was about more than a performance.
“Not only did step teach me discipline, but as an only child, it gave me sisterhood,” she said.
Today, educators like Brown are introducing stepping to middle and high school students as a way to connect culture with college aspirations.
“Joining our step team motivates students to see themselves continuing this tradition in high school and eventually in college,” said Bailey Salis, an eighth-grade science teacher who also coaches the step team.
While both Alaiyah and D’Moni say they dream of attending an HBCU someday, for now, they’re focused on becoming better performers, having fun, and encouraging others to join the team.
“Step is for everybody, not just for girls,” said D’Moni. “It’s a big community, and you meet people who become your friends.”
The Hulcy Step Team performs at school and community events and competitions throughout the school year.
