Were you that young cousin in your family who didn’t take dance lessons?

I was.

No tap shoes. No leotards. No teased, glitter-laden or overly gelled hair.

Instead of practicing for recitals, I satisfied my hunger to leap and pivot by desperately trying to emulate the synchronized moves of Janet Jackson and Paula Abdul.

And then an infamous episode of “Different World” aired and I was captivated by a form of dance foreign to me, but so familiar to the fictional college students I had come to admire.

Who knew that during my cultural awakening, a young Howard University grad - newly returned from a time in Africa - was rigorously researching the history of this very art form for an amazing undertaking.

Ahead of the organization’s VIP Gala: Step Afrika! After Dark on Thursday, June 9, 2016, I talked with Williams about his 20-plus year journey starting, building and managing this successful not-for-profit dance company and arts education institution.

Dance l Stepping l Africa l Arts Education l Step Afrika!

Produced by Audrey Adams.