CHIEF CULTURE OFFICER
Hello. I am Sonji Stewart, the founder and creator of LivingThe8Count.com, a brand built from a deep respect for Chicago Stepping and the people who carry it forward. As Chief Culture Officer, my work is driven by a genuine love for the dance, its history, and its culture.
I have been sharing stories about my travel and community experiences in the Chicago Stepping community. I enjoy sharing my perspective, insights, and passion for the dance. And, born curious, I love to ask questions about Chicago Stepping. I was born and raised in Jamaica, so I have been immersed in the sounds of music from birth. I bring a lifelong connection to music and movement to Chicago Stepping, and I embrace the dance as a cultural rhythm that blends fashion, music, and travel.
I have traveled extensively to weekend events, local sets, and contests across the United States. I have been in contests, and although I did not claim any trophies, every moment on the dance floor – contest or not – is a chance to learn something new and learn about the people who are around me.
- 2017 – Milwaukee’s Largest Contest – [Partner – Tshon the Gentleman]
- 2017 – World’s Largest Steppers Competition – New Skool [Partner – Tshon the Gentleman]
- 2018 – World’s Largest Steppers Competition – Old School [Partner – Jerome Cheatham]
- 2019 – Indiana Red Contest [Partner – Herb Ihenacho]
- 2019 – Milwaukee’s Largest Contest [Partner – Maurice Thomas]
- 2019 – World’s Largest Steppers Competition – New Skool [Partner – Maurice Thomas]
- 2021 – World’s Smallest Contest with CharRashon Studio Dancers [Partner – Eugene Jackson]TBD
- 2025 – Milwaukee’s Largest Contest [Partner – Barrak]
In what feels like a blink—but is really a decade of showing up, learning, traveling, and asking questions—LivingThe8Count has grown far beyond a blog. It’s become a connected ecosystem built around Chicago Stepping and the people who carry it. Through LT8C.TV, I host live conversations that dig into the history, culture, and real talk that shape the dance. StepintheChi.org was created to help steppers travel to and navigate Chicago with confidence—from finding classes and sets to knowing where to go and how to move. And ForTheCulture.Life brings the attitude, pride, and edge of the culture into apparel. Every piece of this network exists for the same reason: to learn out loud, respect the roots, and keep the culture moving forward with intention.
I hope what we share about Chicago Stepping continues to inspire others to explore the dance, learn the culture, and build connections within the broader Chicago Stepping community. This commitment has guided every step of the journey.
The Journey
| 2016 | Featured on ChiStepper. Interview by Terrance Pratt – livingthe8count.com Blog Launch Announcement and Introducing Sonji Stewart – August 23, 2016 |
| 2017 | Featured Guest on Talk Is Cheap Radio Podcast Interview with radio talk show host Dee Polite – January 14, 2017 |
| 2018 | Featured guest on Facebook Live with Tony Adway Interview June 2018 Chicago Steppin’ Guide Magazine – Feature Fashion Photo – Feature on Sonji Stewart 2019 |
| 2019 | Facebook Interview Guest with Lower Level DJ Special K – August 12, 2019 |
| 2020 | Award – 2020 Stepaganza Most Loyal Supporter (awarded in 2021) Dancer in Just Steppin’ Documentary Movie – March 2020 |
| 2021 | StepChi presents Sonji Stewart Author/Publisher Chicago Steppin Blog / www.livingthe8count.com | StepChi – Haadiyah Al Sudan – August 12, 2021 Feature Guest Interview on Conversations with Reggie Miles – Boppers Steppers and Walkers United Featuring Sonji Sam Denise Steppin and James – October 12, 2021 Dancer on Documentary production for Steppin on Water – December 2021 [Partner – Jerry Rooks] |
| 2022 | Guest Instructor for Private Beginners Workshop. – January 1, 2022 – Virginia Tyrone ‘Ty Skippy’ Winfield, renowned stepper with fastest feet in the land. Chicago Sun-Times – January 28, 2022. Chicago Sun-Times picked up livingthe8count’s feature blog article celebrating the life of Ty Skippy: Chicago Sun-Times. Contact – M. O’Donnell Sonji Stewart Featured Interview on the Culture – Community Central TV for the Black Renaissance with Lamont Coy Guest Instructor Referral – University of Chicago – Invitation to Lecture and Instruct – April 7, 2022 World’s Largest Steppers Competition Live Coverage Co-Host with Eric Gordon. Published on EG TV and Deaf Welcome Studios – September 16, 2022 LDS Production – Collaboration with Lloyd Johnson and Darrius Barron. Documentary interview – Chicago Steppin Legends: Renia Mitchell – July 9, 2022 Downtown Chicago documentary set dancer to feature Chicago Stepping celebrating legends Tyrone ‘Ty’ Skippy and Celeste Silhouettes of Stilletos – October 2022 – Featured Poetry and Dance Presentation with MysTori to Celebrate Women in Stepping Silhouettes of Stilletos – March 2022 to October 2022 – Pre-production to write interview questions and interview ceremony honorees Guest Instructor Referral – Annual Fundraiser invitation to instruct – Des Plaines, IL – November 10, 2022 |
| 2023 | LDS Production – Collaboration with Lloyd Johnson and Darrius Barron. Extended documentary interview – HersTORI “The Queen of New School” Documentary – Part 1, Part 2, Part 3 – Published: March 2023 Smooth Jazz Steppin.com – Interview with Rudy Dottin – March 26, 2023 Discussing Stepping Community and Media – Inside Stepping Interview with Brian Forbes – March 7, 2023 We The Hypotheorists – Interviews with Historians – Terrance Pratt, Dan Lan, Cynthia Bean, Tracie Bivens – Episode 1, Episode 2 – Aired: March 2023 Guest Instructor Referral – Chicago Parks District – Invitation to Instruct – August 12, 2023 |
| 2024 | WGN TV Channel 9 – Dancer on Chicago Stepping Feature – Backstory with Larry Potash – June 19 World’s Largest Steppers Competition New School Judge – September 21, 2024 |