Cheryl “Sugarfoot” Powe is from Chicago. She is the President/Chief Executive Officer of Good Deeds International (GDI) – an organization responsible for hosting one of the largest and most popular annual steppin’ events for more than a decade now. Cheryl has resided in Atlanta for 20 years and she considers Atlanta her second home. Several family members introduced Cheryl to steppin’ at a very young age – ~10 years old. They would turn on the music and say “Come dance with me.”
Growing up in Chicago, steppin’ was a way of life. If you weren’t into it, you knew someone who was involved with the dance. After graduating from college, Delta hired Cheryl as a flight attendant allowing her to fly back and forth to Chicago on a regular basis. Her trips helped her become a better stepper and eventually she started teaching. She started competing, judging several contests and became a promoter.
Cheryl got the name Sugarfoot from Steve Mathew from Chicago (a current Atlanta stepper). He was on the mic one day at a set and said to her while she was dancing, “Cheryl your feet move so sweet I think I’m going to call you SugarFoot from now on.” The name stuck. She credits steppin’ for introducing her to many wonderful people throughout the country and giving her the chance to teach steppin’ for at least 15 years.
“Teaching is truly my passion and I enjoy it tremendously. I’ve touched a lot of hands and wouldn’t change it for anything in the world. How rewarding it is for me to see people I have taught enjoy and love the dance and go on to bigger things like competing AND winning championships.”
Cheryl “Sugarfoot” Powe
As a woman in leadership in the Atlanta steppin’ community, how do you keep steppin’ authentic to Chicago?
I stay true to the history of the dance. I respect those that came way before me and always will. Becoming an instructor, teaching the dance (and not just the steps), and making sure students understand what their feet are supposed to do as they feel the dance and the music are all critical success factors to being a successful instructor and leader in this industry. I take pride and total humility, ownership, and responsibility of what I’m doing to contribute perpetually to Steppin/Walkin.
Tell us about Good Deeds International and how GDI touches the community.
The name says it all. It’s all about giving back. As I mentioned earlier, we have been a part of Hosea feed the Hungry, Women’s shelter for battered women and children, Atlanta’s homeless shelter, but we have also donated to victims of hurricanes, donated to several charities and even assisted individuals who may have been overwhelmed by life’s unexpectancies.
- Each year at the Heritage Ball we sponsor a 5K Fun/Walk/Run Charity Road Race, and all the funds are donated to a nonprofit organization either the day of the race or shortly thereafter.
- We also sponsor an annual health fair which provides health screenings and educational information to our attendees.
- The Scholarship program every year to college or trade school bound students is our prized possession.
Why did you start hosting the Heritage Ball?
I was approached by Steven Mathew and Kazemde Ajuma to put together an upscale 1-day affair in Atlanta. I liked what their ideas were about and said yes. In 2007, two groups, True Passion and (Steve’s Group) joined forces and put together our first one-night affair. It was an overwhelming success with ~400 people in attendance. The next year, we decided to make it a 4-day affair. And, it too was a huge success.
In 2008 the 13-member team gave the event an official name, “Celebrating Our Heritage in Commemoration of Black History” – later coined the Heritage Ball. We have always celebrated every February, Black History Month. Now we have an 8- partner team who sponsors GDI’s Heritage Ball. I didn’t know our agreement would ultimately morph into something of this magnitude. Now we are celebrating our 13th year.
Which was year was your most memorable Heritage Ball?
I think 2009, GDI broadened their community involvement and created their scholarship foundation (GDI4K). GDI gave away their first scholarships to deserving young inner-city youth pursuing post-secondary educational goals. We also became involved in community events to support the Hosea Williams Annual Feed the Hungry, helping homeless women and children at a local domestic violence house here in Atlanta, and other philanthropic activities.
Another memorable year was when we had the Universal Soul Circus stilt walkers, African dancers and drummers during our intermission. This WOW’ d our guests and they were happily stunned. The entertainers did a magnificent show, and a show of this magnitude helped to tie our theme, the “Heritage Ball,” into the real purpose of this event…Celebrating Our Heritage in Commemoration of Black History Month, through the art of dance.
Are there steppers that leave a marked impression or impact on the event?
Everyone that attends the Heritage Ball leaves us with an impression of “WOW, I had an awesome time!” There are so many facets to the Heritage Ball that we try to have something for everyone. The DJs are always a big draw for our supporters and the renowned steppin’ instructors. People want to learn this dance from the best. Our guests marvel that all events are in one venue, so they don’t have to leave the hotel.
The Marriott Marquis is a 5-star hotel in the heart of downtown Atlanta where nearby tourist sites, shopping, and great restaurants are even within walking distance. We pride ourselves on delivering world-class premier customer service assisted by our members and Ambassadors—we got the “Southern Hospitality” on lock! On a personal note, having my family members (some 30 deep) travel from Chicago each year to show their love and support simply means the world to me.
Is it challenging each year to plan this event, or does everything fall into place after having it so many times?
I wouldn’t call it challenging but believe me “everything doesn’t just fall into place!” When GDI members get together, the creativity is amazing. There are always some great ideas that come shining through and we look forward to adding something new and exciting each year. We are always in competition with ourselves and not any other promoters or events. We must concentrate on our event delivering the best experience to our guests each year. With that, there is no room for anything else. We never rest on our laurels or take any level of success or failure for granted. We are humbled by God’s Grace!
Have you ever considered hosting the Heritage Ball in another city and why?
No, we haven’t thought about doing that. The Heritage Ball started in Atlanta and it will always be the home of the Heritage Ball. This is one tradition we are proud of. We want our supporters to always know where to find US…right here in the A.T.L.
To what do you attribute your success for the Heritage Ball?
Good old fashion Customer Service and Hospitality and developing and implementing a strong project plan with extreme attention to detail. The team members are humbled and very respectful of one another’s strengths and weaknesses. We are a team and understand very strongly the concept and dynamics of a strong team. We have respect for not only each other but we respect everyone who attends the Heritage Ball.
The people who assist us play a huge role in our success as well. As a result of all these resources, we can offer our attendees an excellent experience each year. Now do we please everybody? That’s literally impossible, but we have a very high success ratio! If our attendees are happy and have a good time, then we have accomplished our mission.
About the Heritage Ball
One of GDI’s goals is for guests to do more than “dance in circles” so we have a plethora of events on our weekend itinerary “the Beast.” Attendees can attend workshops, seminars, play games in our “Heritage Hangout,” and attend day parties. We host a 5K Charity Road Race, a fitness explosion and health fair, offer massages and offer shopping with vendors.
Guests can see the sites of beautiful Atlanta, relax in our complimentary Champagne Hospitality Presidential Suite, meet and greet old and new friends…and so much more. We call it a sleepless weekend in Atlanta. FACT: There are several husband and wife teams still married today who met at the Heritage Ball – during the month of Valentine’s Day.
It takes a team of hard-working people who have one goal in mind—A Successful Heritage Ball. I would like to give a tremendous shout out to the all charter-members team of GDI:
Kazemde Ajumu/Vice President/Chief Operating Officer, Melanie Fields/Chief Financial Officer, Kirk Pacley/Treasurer, Cora Stovall O’Kelley/Corporate Secretary, Arthur Allen/Sergeant of Arms, Kim Davis/Community Affairs and Transportation Liaison and Devan Powe/Music & Entertainment Director
A shout out to all of our outstanding Ambassadors who are just the bomb – the DJs, Instructors, photographers, sound and production crew, webmaster, graphic designers, social specialists, emcees, our outstanding vendors, family, friends, the Marriott, and all of our guests who travel near and far to make the Heritage Ball what it is today.
I also like to Thank you for this opportunity to share my love for this beautiful dance and everything it has to offer….Glory Be to God!
Find out more about the Heritage Ball on Facebook.
