Portfolio | Samantha Chery

In Florida, Greek-letter organizations compete in a step show; young majorettes learn leadership and gain confidence; a line dance chapter practices outdoors, welcoming all comers.

2022 | Andscape

Step shows, particularly performances at historically Black schools, ignite an electric energy like no other.

At Bethune-Cookman University’s Ready, Step, Stroll Greek Step Show, Divine Nine Greek-letter organizations competed, vying to be the sorority or fraternity with the best step routine. But the night was also a display of coexistence, their unique Greek-letter group identities uniting in collective Black pride.

The show marked the last gathering of the fraternities and sororities for the school year, and the stakes were especially high for the university’s Delta Beta chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha. The Alphas performed a show on campus earlier in the day to celebrate Charter Day, their chapter’s anniversary.

Bethune-Cookman

University

The Alphas already had won three competitions, including the Florida Invitational Step Show (FISS), the Southeast’s largest step competition, before Ready, Step, Stroll. They rehearsed their routine for about a month before the season finale.

Fraternities wear boots that create percussive sounds, while props and poses represent significant symbols. Along with sphinx poses and snake hisses, the Alphas’ racing-themed routine features inflatable tires and traffic cones.

Mike Abudu, president of Bethune-Cookman’s Delta Beta chapter, said it was the fraternity’s first time being invited back to the FISS competition in a while after “winning too much” in past years. Even Bethune-Cookman students were skeptical of their winning streak, Abudu said, not understanding what consistently made the routines a cut above the competition.

Although the Alphas don’t necessarily have a recipe to follow, Abudu has found that a key ingredient to their success is the bond they share. As performance dates get closer, the intense rehearsals draw them closer to each other. They know they can talk through any issues and lean on each other during difficult situations. Each year brings a new set of step team members, yet it feels like they’ve all been longtime friends.

“Without brotherhood, there’s nothing else.”

-Mike Abudu

As the fraternity’s step master, Emmanuel Mantey continues the Alpha legacy by combining tried-and-true sequences with a modern flair. Before he became an Alpha, Mantey had no stepping or dancing experience. What he did offer was years of being in marching bands. He’s played trumpet since the fourth grade and used his understanding of rhythm and musicality to choreograph routines.

In the dressing room before their performance, the Alphas rehearsed one last time. Before they stepped onto the stage, they huddled to pray for their best performance yet.

It seemed their prayers were answered when they once again took first place.

“When we’re all in unison, we’re powerful.”

-Emmanuel Mantey

Gainesville, Florida

Infamous
Diamonds Dance

In the parking lot of the Charles L. Blount Center, the Infamous Diamonds majorette dancers practice in the hour before they perform at Gainesville’s Fifth Avenue Arts Festival. “ID4L” is emblazoned on their uniforms: Infamous Diamonds 4 Life. Over and over, the dancers run through their routine to correct timing issues.

Gainesville native Justin Doby, a former cheerleader at Florida A&M University better known as “Coach Doby” or just “Doby,” leads the group of 5- to 19-year-olds. He started the team to bring majorette dance to the community, inspired by the Lifetime reality series Bring It!, which chronicles the rehearsals and competitions of a similar team.

The Diamonds’ goal isn’t just to dance. They want to outshine the competition — and their former selves.

When they hit the pavement at the local fest, they pumped, kicked, tumbled and death dropped — falling back into a straddle — to the beat.“With [Doby] pushing us, we learn every day,” said 16-year-old dancer Kameal Stonerock.

Confidence is paramount in majorette dancing, which often combines West African and hip-hop choreography with HBCU marching band music, but it takes time to build. Twelve-year-old Ashanti Nesmith (left) and her 15-year-old sister, Aniyah (right) tried out for the team as a way to make friends. Ashanti struggled to learn the moves at first, but much to her relief, her new teammates quickly rallied to help her.

“You have to have the right energy. You have to be confident.”

-Ashanti Nesmith

The mostly middle- and high school-age members of Infamous Diamonds learn stage presence and the value of working hard. The group works concessions at University of Florida athletic events to raise money for travel and entry fees to elimination battles with other majorette dance teams.

Ja’kayla Lucas, 15, started dancing when she was 8, but she said she has never felt the sense of family she has now as dance captain with the Diamonds. For Lucas, being in a welcoming environment with other kids of all sizes shaped her sense of belonging and confidence in what she can do as a dancer.

“A team is a group of very different individuals. [Being dance captain] helped me learn … working with different people and their attitudes.”

-Ja’kayla Lucas

Gainesville, Florida

Smooth Flava
Line Dance

“Left foot, now right foot,” Smooth Flava Dance’s Wanda Lloyd called out during a recent outdoor line dance class. “Now cha-cha-cha!”

First-time participants at Bo Diddley Plaza in downtown Gainesville started cautiously, sometimes missing a step or stumbling slightly as they tried to get the footwork right. But no one seemed to judge.

“If you can count 1-2-3, you can do a cha-cha step,” Lloyd said.

Classes didn’t always look this way. Until the COVID-19 pandemic began, the Smooth Flava dancers rehearsed mostly indoors for performances at festivals, parades and other events in their community and throughout the South. With help from frequent Smooth Flava dancer Anne Gilroy, the group reserved access to the outdoor concert venue last summer. Now each Tuesday and Thursday evening, about 100 people spread out in the grass and dance to party remix music, led by an instructor who calls out step instructions on a microphone. Anyone can join, and because the classes are outdoors, passers-by are reeled into the fun.

Smooth Flava invites people of all ages and abilities to line dance because it’s relatively easy to learn. The more experienced dancers learn from Lloyd, (pictured) intricate, partnering dance styles such as the Dallas Fort Worth (DFW) swing, Chicago steppin’ and urban ballroom.

“Wanda [Lloyd] is so creative,” longtime Smooth Flava dancer Albina Stewart said. “When we finally got out, we were line dancing in the parking lot because we couldn’t partner dance. She came up with the idea of having a line dance party.”

Besides helping people stay active, the group gives back to the community. Last summer, the group raised $10,000 in donations at outdoor classes to help kids attend local summer camps, and the dancers are fundraising again this year.

Lloyd has passed down the footwork to Smooth Flava devotees like Derrick Terrell, who came to a beginner line dancing class still in his work polo shirt, slacks and dress shoes. When he wasn’t cueing up the songs for the class or inviting onlookers to join, he was dropping it low on the grass with his wife, Kim, and the other dancers.

After being invited to a class and picnic in Gainesville’s Depot Park, he joined Smooth Flava Dance about three or four years ago.

“Dance is for yourself. It’s an opportunity to unwind and just enjoy yourself.”

-Derrick Terrell

Terrell said the social events outside of class are what keep the group close. They’ve met up for conventions, holiday parties and nights out. People from out of town plan trips to Gainesville just so they can catch a Smooth Flava class.