Chicago Stepping Stories and Experiences CARING AND SHARING SINCE 2016

Sonji Stewart – Chicago Stepping Resume

CREATED LIVINGTHE8COUNT – A CHICAGO STEPPING BLOG ABOUT HISTORY, TRADITIONS, CULTURE, PEOPLE

Community Focus and Service

EVENTS AND ECONOMIC PERSPECTIVE. Promotes and champions the love for traveling to dance by sharing weekend event experiences from coast to coast.

CONTEST COMPREHENSION. Intentional contest study through the eyes of Chicago, community immersion, and learning on a mission to win.

CHICAGO CONCIERGE. A go-to resource for steppers who want to travel and navigate the experience of Stepping in Chicago.

AUTHENTICITY AND INFLUENCE. Established authority with a point of view and understanding through honest storytelling and opinions; and stays tuned in.

INSTRUCTION. Finds proper instruction for an undocumented dance through a referral network connecting steppers and instructors and sharing videos of real Chicago Stepping.

TELLING UNTOLD STORIES. Everyone has a story to tell. I find the silent ones and share the stories of steppers in their own words by asking the right questions.

Activities | Media Mentions + Accolades

2016

  1. Featured on ChiStepper. Interview by Terrance Pratt – livingthe8count.com Blog Launch Announcement and Introducing Sonji Stewart – August 23, 2016

2017

  1. Featured Guest on Talk Is Cheap Radio Podcast Interview with radio talk show host Dee Polite – January 14, 2017

2018

  1. Featured guest on Facebook Live with Tony Adway Interview June 2018
  2. Chicago Steppin’ Guide Magazine – Feature Fashion Photo – Feature on Sonji Stewart

2019

  1. Facebook Interview Guest with Lower Level DJ Special K – August 12, 2019

2020

  1. Award – 2020 Stepaganza Most Loyal Supporter (awarded in 2021)
  2. Dancer in Just Steppin’ Documentary Movie – March 2020

2021

  1. StepChi presents Sonji Stewart Author/Publisher Chicago Steppin Blog / www.livingthe8count.com | StepChi – Haadiyah Al Sudan – August 12, 2021
  2. Feature Guest Interview on Conversations with Reggie Miles – Boppers Steppers and Walkers United Featuring Sonji Sam Denise Steppin and James – October 12, 2021
  3. Dancer on Documentary production for Steppin on Water – December 2021 [Partner – Jerry Rooks]

2022

  1. Guest Instructor for Private Beginners Workshop. – January 1, 2022 – Virginia
  2. 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
  3. Sonji Stewart Featured Interview on the Culture – Community Central TV for the Black Renaissance with Lamont Coy
  4. Guest Instructor Referral – University of Chicago – Invitation to Lecture and Instruct – April 7, 2022
  5. World’s Largest Steppers Competition Live Coverage Co-Host with Eric Gordon. Published on EG TV and Deaf Welcome Studios – September 16, 2022
  6. LDS Production – Collaboration with Lloyd Johnson and Darrius Barron. Documentary interview – Chicago Steppin Legends: Renia Mitchell – July 9, 2022
  7. Downtown Chicago documentary set dancer to feature Chicago Stepping celebrating legends Tyrone ‘Ty’ Skippy and Celeste
  8. Silhouettes of Stilletos – October 2022 – Featured Poetry and Dance Presentation with MysTori to Celebrate Women in Stepping
  9. Silhouettes of Stilletos – March 2022 to October 2022 – Pre-production to write interview questions and interview ceremony honorees
  10. Guest Instructor Referral – Annual Fundraiser invitation to instruct – Des Plaines, IL – November 10, 2022

2023

  1. 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
  2. Smooth Jazz Steppin.com – Interview with Rudy Dottin – March 26, 2023
  3. Discussing Stepping Community and Media – Inside Stepping Interview with Brian Forbes – March 7, 2023
  4. We The Hypotheorists – Interviews with Historians – Terrance Pratt, Dan Lan, Cynthia Bean, Tracie Bivens – Episode 1, Episode 2 – Aired: March 2023
  5. Guest Instructor Referral – Chicago Parks District – Invitation to Instruct – August 12, 2023

2024

  1. WGN TV Channel 9 – Dancer on Chicago Stepping Feature – Backstory with Larry Potash – June 19
  2. World’s Largest Steppers Competition New School Judge – September 21, 2024

Contest History

  • 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]

Summary of Instruction

  • Foundation and Basic Fundamentals, Technique, and Musicality. Jon Green, Dave Maxx and The Budland Network, Donnie Davis and Gigi, Charnice Simmons, Tyk Mann, Quake Styles and Ice Rob, Sherrod, Westside Mike, Ronnie Burnett and Ronda, LC Henderson, Shawn Westbrook, Josiah Burt, Jamal Brown, Darnell Johnson, Ernest Williams
  • Contest Coaching and Private Instruction. Andre Blackwell, Lady Margaret, April Simmons, Royce Banks, Atifah Mohammad, Reggie Handy, Ty Skippy, Damon Rose, Tony Dow, Kevin Doc Dockery, Dimples, Herk Williams, Gloria Watson, Sheila Watkins, Shawn Bandy, Pat Clay, Patrick Garrett

livingthe8count Brand Milestones and Timeline

August 27, 2016 – livingthe8count.com launched the online blog. Terrance Pratt with Chistepper.com shared an article on Chistepper.com announcing livingthe8count as a new destination for the east-coast opinion on Chicago Stepping.

June 2021, launched the livingthe8count Facebook group engagement program

September 8, 2021, established the Advisory Board for livingthe8count.

September 10, 2021, launched the StepintheChi Facebook group

September 24, 2021, StepintheChi.org was launched as an online destination to help steppers plan travel to Chicago, find what the destination offers for places to stay and places to eat, and all things Stepping in Chicago for classes, sets, and upcoming events.

November 27, 2021, surveys.livingthe8count.com was launched as a service for event promoters to get event feedback and insights from attendees.

October 27, 2022. The launch of the monthly poetry series to celebrate Chicago Stepping through the spoken-word on Facebook LIVE.

April 6, 2023, LT8C TV was introduced as the online show destination for steppers to find online shows and LIVES about Chicago Stepping produced by steppers in our community across the United States. Find, follow, and stay connected. LT8C TV.

March 2023. launched the online show – We The Hypotheorists.

February 2024. Relaunch of the new livingthe8count website.

Formal Education

  • 2015 Bachelor in Business Analytics, Minor in Economics
  • 2022 Masters in Law, Focus: Alternative Dispute Resolution

Blog Interviews and Perspectives

The contribution of stories, perspectives, and insights from the community through blog interviews over the years create a rich canvas of experiences that define the Chicago Stepping community and culture. Thank you. Acknowledgement of contributors:

  1. Andre Blackwell
  2. Tonya Foreman
  3. Lawandca Sutton
  4. LC Henderson
  5. Reggie Handy
  6. DJ Shorty Smooth
  7. Chaundra Satchell
  8. Henry Williams
  9. Tyrone “Tall T” Blackwell
  10. Cami Taylor
  11. Tony Butler
  12. Walter Lane
  13. Mike Bee 
  14. Westside Mike
  15. Ronnie Bee
  16. April Simmons
  17. Gabraelle Lane
  18. Choc James
  19. Barbara Hawk
  20. Cynthia Ivy Catoe 
  21. Yanni Brown
  22. Mycah Clemmons
  23. Rene Ragland
  24. Evandro Oliveira
  25. Maurice Thomas
  26. Leisha Thornton
  27. Reggie Miles
  28. JB Burns and Kelly Roberts
  29. DJ Sam Chatman
  30. Quake Styles
  31. Dasen Moore
  32. Al Bowmen
  33. Terrance Pratt
  1. Cheryl Sugarfoot Powe
  2. Randall Avery
  3. Dione Barnes
  4. Tony Dow
  5. Tony Adway
  6. Cynthia Bean
  7. Michael “Black Cool” Thornton
  8. Rainie Wells
  9. Markie Bee
  10. Dominique Dow
  11. Terrence Martin
  12. Willie Bell
  13. Brian Archibald and Cynthia Colquitt
  14. Gary Hunter and Tonya McLauchlin
  15. Jerry Durham and Georgia Jones
  16. Marc Brewer and Rose Turuka
  17. Muhammad Donald and Debra Goode
  18. Sam Long and Jamie Anderson
  19. Gerald Howard
  20. Kevin Brewer
  21. Laura Speight Manning
  22. Feo Duncan
  23. Qiana Wilson
  24. Carla Jeanne with Silent Parties
  25. Gina Ellis
  26. Hollywood Frank
  27. Damon Rose
  28. Sharvin Whitted and Denise McRae
  1. Maurice Turner and Paris White
  2. Jana Wilson
  3. Drewry Alexander
  4. Zee Thomas
  5. DJ Cross
  6. Dave Maxx
  7. Aki Carter
  8. Iary Israel
  9. Tori Tannette
  10. Rose Wellington
  11. DJ Raphael
  12. Belinda Booker
  13. Tango Ernest
  14. Mike and Dian Davney
  15. Josiah Burt
  16. Lloyd Johnson
  17. Charlsie Hylick
  18. Lynette Butler
  19. Delores King
  20. DJ Shorty Smooth
  21. Rich Jackson
  22. Maddy B Haywood
  23. Odette Bell
  24. DJ Vell
  25. Michele Green
  26. Andre Johnson
  27. Charnice Simmons
  28. Donna Peek
  29. Eric Gordon
  30. Jeff Clarke
  31. Sheila Watkins
  32. Dan Lan
  33. Latika Billups
  34. Will Barnes