FOUNDER
C. BRIAN WILLIAMS (Founder & Executive Director) is a native of Houston,Texas. 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, South America, Africa, Asia, the Caribbean and throughout the United States. He is co-founder of the 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 three Metro DC Dance Awards for “Outstanding New Work”, “Excellence in Stage Design/Multimedia” and “Outstanding Group Performance”.

THE ARTISTS
MAKEDA ABRAHAM is a native of Brooklyn, NY, and a proud graduate of Howard University with a B.F.A. in Theatre Arts/ Acting. She has studied and performed African dance for 15 years. She danced throughout college as a member of Nsaa Dance Ensemble and served as the company's Artistic Director for two years. Makeda fell in love with stepping in high school and is grateful for the once in a lifetime opportunity to be a member of Step Afrika!

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.

MICHAEL ALFORD II is a Spring 2008 BFA graduate of Towson University with a Dance Performance and Education.  He received dance training from the Ailey School, Rock School, and Dance Theatre of Harlem in various forms including Ballet, Modern, and Jazz. He is a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.

TALIBAH-ATIYA AQUIL “Talibah” is a recent honors graduate of Howard University where she received a BFA in Musical Theatre.  Born in Harlem, New York, she attended the prestigious LaGuardia High School of the Performing Arts.  In 2009, Talibah traveled to the Dominican Republic in the Howard University production of the The Bluest Eye, which addresses the stigma of skin color throughout the African diaspora.  As a result, she is committed to serving her community through cultural exchange.  Talibah also worked for Nickelodeon, where she performed voiceovers and scenic characters.  Talibah feels she was born to perform as it is her greatest passion and is honored & blessed to be apart of such an amazing company.

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.

DIONNE ELEBY is a graduate of Elon University where she majored in Musical Theatre and minored in African American Studies and Business Administration.  This native of Atlanta, Georgia has performed with the African American Dance Ensemble, Artpark Regional Theatre, and Rotterdam's Lef in Holland. She is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

D. ANTHONY JACKSON has been a student of the performing arts since childhood.  A native of Ohio and graduate of Howard University, he began early in theater and vocal performance.  He discovered dance under the guidance of mentor Terri Brown.  Since then, he trained and studied various genres under the likes of Walter Nicks, Katherine Dunham, Lesina Martin, Khadiatou Conte and Assane Konte.  Joining Step Afrika! in 2008, he continues to allow his genuine love for movement to carry him to new heights and depths of dance.

RYAN JOHNSON is an accomplished artist who has been performing for over 10 years, dancing with greats such as the late Gregory Hines, Marvin Hamlish and Donnie McClurkin.  As a tap dancer, he has been commissioned by studios across the country to create choreography through workshops and residency programs.  In 2008, Ryan was cited for his solo dance performance, receiving a grant from the Maryland State Arts Council.  In 2009, he performed in Cirque du Soleil’s Mosaic in Washington, DC.  Ryan is also the Founding Director of Raw Sound Tap Company which he started with the “soul” purpose to teach, restore and preserve the history of Tap Dance.  He is a proud member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.

JAKARI SHERMAN (Artistic Director) is an intense performer, percussionist and choreographer of stepping, whose experience in the art form extends over 15 years. Jakari has served as the Artistic Director of Step Afrika! for the past three years and brought new life to the folkloric tradition of stepping both locally and across the globe. He has also 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. Sherman studied Management Information Systems at the University of Houston and is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, 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.  As a Hop Master, Andrew mastered the fraternity’s unique style of stepping called “hopping” taking top honors at several step shows.  Andrew’s passion for uplifting and empowering today’s youth, specifically African American males, led him back to his hometown of Enfield, NC.  There he taught Art and founded the Swag Team, a hop team and mentoring program for young males, at his alma mater Southeast Halifax High School.  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.