FOUNDER
C. BRIAN WILLIAMS (Founder & Executive Director) is a native of Houston,Texas and graduate of Howard University. Brian first learned to step as a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. - Beta Chapter, in 1989. While living in Africa, he began to research stepping, exploring the many sides of this exciting, yet under-recognized, American art form and founded Step Afrika! in 1994. Brian has performed, lectured and taught in Europe, Central & South America, Africa, Asia, the Caribbean and throughout the United States. He is co-founder of the historic Step Afrika! International Cultural Festival in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Brian has been cited as a "Civic/Community Visionary" by NV Magazine and "Nation Builder" by the National Black Caucus of State Legislators. He is the recipient of an Artist Fellowship, numerous awards from the DC Commission on Arts & Humanities and is featured in Soulstepping, the first book to document the history of stepping. The Washingtonian Magazine cited Brian as one of "40 Washingtonians under 40" to watch in the years to come. He also received the 2008 Mayor's Art Award for Innovation in the Arts and led the company to three Metro DC Dance Awards for "Outstanding New Work", "Excellence in Stage Design/Multimedia" and "Outstanding Group Performance". Under Brian's leadership, stepping has evolved into one of America's newest cultural exports and inspired the designation of Step Afrika! as "Washington, DC's official Cultural Ambassador." Step Afrika! was again awarded "Outstanding Group Performance" in 2010.

THE ARTISTS

JAKARI SHERMAN (Artistic Director) is an intense performer, percussionist and choreographer, whose stepping experience extends over 15 years. Jakari has served as the Artistic Director of Step Afrika! since 2007 and brought new life to the folkloric tradition of stepping both locally and across the globe. He has coached and choreographed for numerous community organizations, and directed the NBA’s first step team. Jakari is Founder and Director of the non-profit stepping education initiative, Ordered Steps, based in Houston, Texas. As a choreographer he seeks to create a body of work that is experimental and challenging for both the dancer and the audience. Jakari received a Young Artist Grant Award from the D.C. Commission on the Arts and Humanities in 2008, and was a 2009 finalist for Outstanding Emerging Artist by the city’s prestigious Mayor’s Arts Awards. In 2010, Jakari received Metro DC Dance Awards for Outstanding Emerging Choreographer and Excellence in Sound/Composition. Sherman studied Management Information Systems at the University of Houston and is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.

MFON AKPAN (Assistant Artistic Director) has trained extensively in tap, ballet, jazz, modern, African dance and step. While attending the State University of New York (SUNY) at Stony Brook, she majored in biochemistry and cultivated her stepping skills as a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Mfon began her training at the Bernice Johnson Cultural Arts Center and has graced the stages of Carnegie Hall, Avery Fisher Hall, the Apollo Theater, the Brooklyn Academy of Music and Lincoln Center. Mfon has recently toured with the off-broadway show "Hoofin' 2 Hittin" where she was a featured stepper and dancer.

ASEELAH ALLEN began her dance training at the Palm Beach County School of Arts in West Palm Beach, FL. A graduate of Florida State University where she earned her Masters in Arts Administration, Aseelah is an accomplished artist who has trained with Urban Bush Women, Cleveland Repertory Dance Theatre and the world-renowned Ailey School. She is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

ASSATA BARTON-RICHARDSON began dancing at the age of two at Ifetayo Cultural Arts Academy in Brooklyn, New York, She is a graduate of the prestigous Fiorello H. LaGuardia School of Music & Art and the Perfoming Arts in New York City. She has graced the stages of Lincoln Center, the Brooklyn Academy of Music and Aaron Davis Hall. She is a graduate of Howard University and a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

CHRISTOPHER BRIENT, from Houston, TX, performed in his first step show in the ninth grade, and has been addicted to the stage ever since. His love of dance began while attending Texas A&M University, where he taught hip hop classes, served as Step Master for the Potent Pi Omicron Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., and earned his B.S. in Agricultural Journalism.  Chris spent two seasons dancing with Team NRG, the dance team for the WNBA Houston Comets, and was a member of G Force, the step team for the NBA Houston Rockets. He joined Step Afrika! in 2009.

DANIELLE DUBOIS GLOVER comes from Queens, NY. She is a graduate of Howard University where she received her BFA with a concentration in Dance. Under the mentorship of Dr. Sherill Berryman Johnson, she worked with artiststs such as Ronald K. Brown, Kevin Iega Jeff, Zane Booker and Whitney Hunter. She has also worked with dance legends such as Dianne McIntyre, Virginia Johnson and Baba Chuck Davis. She is a former member of Danco II, DBDT II, and Dallas Black Dance Theatre. She is also a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.

SHANNAN E. JOHNSON is a product of Houston, TX where she began stepping as Captain of the citywide championship Mademoiselle Step Team. She holds a Bachelor of Arts from Texas A & M University and a Master's of Fine Arts degree from Florida State University. Shannan is the Founder/Co-Director of the MLLES (Mademoiselles) Alumnae, Inc., a Houston-based nonprofit organization. She is an active member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

ANDREW  VINSON, JR. attended Elizabeth City State University, where he earned a BS in Graphic Design and Computer Science with a concentration in Business Administration. He is a proud member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. - Lamda Gamma chapter, where he served as Basileus and Hop Master. Having started in middle school, Andrew is also a gifted percussionist ranging from jazz, symphonic and marching band styles. He joined Step Afrika! in 2009.