Thank you for joining us at the historic Howard Theatre for Step Afrika!’s VIP Gala 2026!

On Tuesday, June 2, the iconic Howard Theatre came alive with performances by Step Afrika!’s extraordinary artists, music from the dynamic DJ Ty Alexander, and a vibrant gathering of supporters, leaders, and friends of the Company. Hosted by award-winning journalist and beloved WUSA9 anchor Lesli Foster, the VIP Gala 2026 was an unforgettable evening celebrating culture, community, and the rhythm of stepping.

This year’s Gala supported Step Afrika!’s newest theatrical production, ‘The Fruits of Our Labor’, and the Company’s year-round arts education programs across Washington, DC, Maryland, and Virginia. Thank you again for an electric night of performance, celebration, and community—all in support of the world’s leading authority on the art form of stepping.

A LOOK INTO THE VIP GALA AT HOWARD THEATRE:

VIP Gala 2026 Sponsors 

Executive Producer

Amazon
Bank of America
Ann Belkov
CoStar Group
DC Housing Finance Agency
Reg Brown & Tiffeny Sanchez

Producer

Bloomberg Philanthropies
John W. Hill Family
International Association of Blacks in Dance
Pepco
Washington Gas

Director

EB5 Capital
Maia Hunt Estes
English Hudson Consulting
The Menkiti Group & Keller Williams Properties
C. Brian Williams

Headliner

CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield
Coca-Cola Consolidated, Inc.
Dyonicia “Dy” Brown
Christopher Montgomery
The Spera Group at TTR Sotheby’s
Tito’s
Dr and Mrs Benjamin Watkins III

Performer

Lamont Akins
Tiane Doman
Rolanda & Clarke Fleming
Jacqui Francis
Kym Taylor
Melanie Trottman
Ashley Adams Winkfield

Thank you to our in-kind sponsor Edmonds Honor.