Tackling the Case of A Mistaken Identity. Aki Carter

Conversations in cities across the Chicago Stepping community in 2021 about the NOADWBP hashtag created by Will Barnes in Chicago caused quite a stir. It seemed that a fellow out of Columbus, Ohio – Aki “Columbus Keyz” Carter, who hosts the Red, White, and Smoove weekend event, was getting a lot of credit and heat for the emergence and staying power of the new hashtag. No doubt, Aki supports the movement and has been seen at every NOADWBP pop-up set. The NOADWBP After Party with Will Barnes “The Playlist” was a hit at 2022 Red, White, and Smoove. Aki has made public statements that a lot of the older music he hears on stepper sets aren’t any of the songs he lost his virginity to. And, he wears NOADWBP swag “all the time.”

However, Aki’s contribution and drive behind the new New School movement is about much more than a single brand that is not his own. He openly supports other brands and personalities in the Chicago Stepping community. He shows much love for Chicago and different cities in his travels. Aki has elevated his event and brand, Red, White, and Smoove, with a new national team – Smoove Vibes Entertainment – and a larger venue – the Greater Columbus Convention Center. So far, his collaborative, entrepreneurial approach and attitude encourage people around him to get on board and get along. I finally got to interview him to find out what he is thinking, how he operates, and what he’s up to. Get to know Aki “Columbus Keyz” Carter.

The Introduction to Chicago Stepping

Aki Carter was born in Dayton, but he was raised in Columbus. He started learning Chicago Stepping in November of 2011.

I was introduced to Chicago Stepping when I was trying to holler at this young lady. She just happened to be taking classes and there was an open dance. She told me if you want to see me, you can come there and hangout and talk. I went to the class and sat at the table having a drink. I watched her and it really just looked like an old people, boring dance. Then Jay Johnson (AKA Gilbert Johnson on Facebook) danced with the young lady. The entire time she was smiling and blushing while they danced. I’m watching him and I thought this guy has a little bit of swag and he actually made the dance cool.”

Aki Carter

Aki started watching Jay and noticed that all the ladies were blushing when they danced with him and just were happy to be there. After more watching, Aki was still puzzled about how the women knew when to turn and how they danced without bumping into each other. He was intrigued and that’s how he was introduced to Chicago Stepping and how the dance got his attention.

How Aki Fell in Love with Chicago Stepping

Aki loves Chicago Stepping because he loves to dance. He credits Tony Dow and Dominique Dow for this infatuation.  He started stepping in November 2011, and by February 2012, he was at the Heritage Ball in Atlanta, Georgia. The epitome of Chicago Stepping that he had witnessed before was only in Columbus, Ohio, with his instructor Marc Thomas and Kelly Roberts. On Thursday night of the Heritage Ball, he saw Tony Dow dancing with a gorgeous young lady thinking, “Dang, he’s old enough to be her Dad.” Well, Tony Dow is Dominique’s father. He watched them dance for two songs, mouth wide open and amazed. He was looking at art because of how they danced and flowed together. “If this is an example of what it can look like if I can keep on learning, sign me up!”

What inspired the idea for your event Red, White, and Smoove?

I had been looking for a holiday weekend to promote an event. Prior to COVID, there was never really any available holiday weekend. I had the idea of Red, White, and Smoove for some time. In Columbus, we had a huge fireworks event called Red, White, and Boom. In 2014-2015 I hosted a steppers set. I know Columbus is not Miami, Chicago, or Atlanta. Capitalizing on times of the year when we have something dope going on here in the city is our appeal. People can come here, dance, and have a draw for seeing more of the city. Columbus can give people something to do that would be a selling point outside of the dance. I did that event in 2014 and 2015.

I can’t remember who did the workshops the first year I brought Carmichael and DJ Paul Ross.  In 2015, I brought in Roszunn and worked with DJ Black Cool for the first time. Victor James was my host and MC. I brought Sunshine Haywood of Chicago, who was living in Florida at the time with Kevin Doc Dockery from Chicago.

What was the idea behind the new team Smoove Entertainment?

This was also an idea I had for a while but more so based on Ohio and not national. I always knew I wanted to have a set that was at least fit for Ohio.  We have six different cities in Ohio to dance with Chicago Stepping communities – Cincinnati, Dayton, Columbus, Toledo, Cleveland, and Akron. On weekends, steppers in Ohio don’t have to leave the state to dance. We’re not like Chicago, but we can host a set, get quality dances within the state, and have a well-attended party based on Ohio attendance alone.

The idea was based previously on having representation from all the major cities in Ohio. I took that same idea and executed it nationally. Red, White, and Smoove is the first event that was bigger than just me. I knew everyone there for every party I had ever thrown in the past. At Red, White, and Smoove, I had people contacting me trying to get tickets to the event, and I was asking, “Who are you?” I remember talking to Rebecca from Oklahoma. She said, “My friend said they were going, so I decided to go too.” When I asked her who her friend was, I didn’t know them either. I probably turned down 150 people who were still trying to come the week of the party. The ballroom for the party held about 250. We had about 280 people. I allowed some men to come in but told them they had to stand up because chairs were for the ladies.

The highest remarks I got from that event were geared towards hospitality and how we made sure everyone was taken care of. I knew how hard I worked to pull that off by myself, and I saw the potential. I saw how people were responding to this event and knew this could be something big. In our community, there is nothing better than word of mouth. At first, people come to an event to support a promoter they know, but after a while, word of mouth helps to build the following. After the party in 2021, the reviews that I got said, “I hope you do this again!” I wanted to be able to deliver and not short-change myself or my customers by not being able to deliver and provide because I am only one person.

I needed help, so I decided to reach out to my little brother, Mr. Sam Long, who has that good energy. I want to bring in other people like myself. My parties take on a certain type of energy because of who we are, and that is the type of energy I want to set. People in my group had to have that same energy – they wanted to have a good time and have everyone else have a good time and go back home. They had already been at my party and knew the experience firsthand. First, Sam. Second, Darnisha from Indianapolis because she invests in her dance, travels, and the men love her. Then Salsa Tina and Genevieve, and Tika. I presented the idea to all of them, and they were all in.

Is Smoove Entertainment going to host parties in other cities?

I keep hearing this rumor. It is funny how people tell you what you’re doing. I am a firm believer in “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” I know people loved the location, the hotel where we were, downtown, and everything about it. This allowed people to see where they would not normally come. You’ll go to Chicago and Atlanta. You don’t hear people wanting to go to Columbus, Ohio. Not too many people check for Columbus, so I am happy to provide an experience that offers something different where people can still be wowed. That’s not to say I would not be open to changing it, but I don’t really see the benefit of doing so except to save on flights.  We have reasonable flights to get here if not last minute, and you have a whole year to plan for it.

What are the opportunities you see for the Chicago Stepping community in Ohio?

I love dancing in Ohio, and so many here who are hungry for the dance. You have your handful of people here, like in other cities, who take a little more seriously than others.  And I often pop up in Chicago, not letting anyone know I’ll be there. I’ll end up there thinking I am the only one there. Then I see Elaina from Dayton, April from Cincinnati, Lolita from Cleveland, or Quies. Many people here love the dance. We also have the Midwest Affair here also, where people from everywhere come to Ohio to step.  I think Ohio is one of the best-kept secrets in stepping, and if you know, you know. Some of the instructors and promoters visit and see the opportunity here because we have so many people here that love this dance.

I really see the dance continuing to grow.  Key people go to Chicago and learn the dance the way it should be and teach it the same way they were taught. We focus on musicality, getting outside of the box, individuality, and personality. That’s one of the biggest things for me when you go to Chicago and watch somebody from Chicago. I sit in the Fifty and watch a local who I don’t know, someone dance who is not an instructor or not on the WLSC stage. After a couple of songs, I can feel like I know them a little bit because I see that person’s personality in their dance.  

What are some things you were looking to do better in 2022 for your event?

I wanted to make sure that if people had a problem, I wanted it to be on my shoulders and not based on outside control or circumstances. Last year, two young ladies drove down to Columbus, arriving at about 2 a.m. after driving 6/7 hrs. At hotel check-in they went through four different rooms and could not get a clean room. They called Sam Long. He woke me at 4 a.m. with two women standing by my bed explaining the problem. I opened my home to them. At 5 a.m. in the morning, I was at the hotel waiting to talk to the Sales Associate. Thankfully, Nicole Wilburn did a walk-through to make sure things were up to par.

Imagine you’re tired but excited to get to Columbus. An experience like that takes the wind out of your sail, and you want to go home. You can’t even relax and get ready to enjoy the weekend. I knew then that I could not let somebody else outside mess up all the effort and work that had already been put into this event. My goal was to find something nicer, comfortable, and fitting for most people.

I wanted to have the right location for guests that would allow them to spend the least money possible. Paying $15 for an Uber to get from the airport is reasonable. The hotel in 2022 was In the middle of Short North in the middle of boutiques and plenty of places to eat within walking distance. You didn’t have to get a car, and the location had accessibility to restaurants and other attractions.

What were some of the surprises for you at Red, White, and Smoove?

Sunday at the brunch. I hired a shuttle to transport people from the airport to the hotel, but they didn’t get their schedule to me on time for me to distribute to guests. People were already arriving and making their own way to the hotel. I changed the plan for the shuttle to provide rides to the brunch. On Sunday morning, I got a no-call no-show.  We had to hustle and bustle to get people to the brunch from the hotel or for people to Uber and make other arrangements for transportation. Additionally, the venue only had 50 chairs available. They told us that our event would be their first investment to get more chairs. When I spoke to the owner that Sunday morning, they said there would only be 50 chairs. Again, we were scrambling to get chairs.

What about the Red, White, and Smoove made you glad to have a team behind you in 2022?

I had beautiful women to deal with the men, and I had Mr. Sam Long deal with the women. We use sex appeal as a weapon, and it was beneficial.

How did you plan to keep a New School vibe and still attract and welcome Old School steppers?

I had a conversation with my DJs. When you hire professionals, you hire people whom you can trust for their work.  And I trust Black Cool and Jay Boogie. I had a conversation with them both to share what my vision was. We want to play music for everybody. I don’t want my set geared more to one crowd or the other. I want you to read the crowd. We want to cater to all of our guests. If you see an older crowd, then play to them.  If you see something different and see the crowd getting younger, adjust. Just read to and play to the crowd. That’s all I told them because I don’t want anyone coming to my party feeling that it wasn’t for them.

I didn’t tell them don’t play any old ass dusties – because that’s not the vision. Going to parties and feeling like my money does not matter is not what I want for any customer. I don’t like that feeling. If I ask, “Do you think you can play something a little newer or this, that or whatever it is?” and the response is, “Oh no, that ain’t what we’re doing here.” So then, let me not go back there then. At the end of the day, with responses like that, I know what it is when I go to certain places. So, I didn’t want people coming and feeling that we didn’t have something for them. I wanted my party to be as authentically Chicago as possible. Somebody like J Boogie closes down Hero’s on Sunday night for the younger generation. He’s the same person you hear deejaying at Charnice Simmons’ class on Sundays, being as dusties as can be. So this is a person who has the ability to play to both crowds. I wanted someone to play for any of the people who showed up. Same thing with Black Cool.

What is the importance of relationship building in the Stepping Community?

That is what it is all about for me. I have enjoyed the people I have met in stepping and probably talk to them and deal with them more so than the people I grew up with. There are some key, quality people, even some mentors, and a big brother, Bobby Taylor, in my life now. I talk to him about stuff personal. Last year I wasn’t even going to give refunds. It was supposed to be my 40th birthday party, and then COVID came, and I had to cancel my party in March. I wasn’t going to give refunds. I thought everybody is impacted by COVID right now. As soon as I got money from the ticket sales, I would pay for the caterer, the venue, or something else. Bobby Taylor told me you don’t want to leave a bad taste in people’s mouths. I changed my mind and decided that people could decide within 30 days whether they wanted a refund or not.

I got some good mentors – Larry Collins (RIP). We talked about respect, being a man, and being a leader. Stepping would never come up in our conversation. I have come in contact with some great people that I have met through the dance. I often find more joy sitting around getting caught up with the folks I haven’t seen in a long time and sitting and talking on the set rather than just dancing. Some of my favorite people in the world to me are people I have met through Stepping – people like Sharon Reed-Mayes (RIP)

What role does Chicago play in your community-building efforts for Ohio?

Chicago plays a substantial role in it. In building this Chicago stepping community, I believe you must be true to the roots and the original. Early on, I didn’t do my due diligence when I was throwing parties and sets. I knew how to do the dance well enough and how to throw some parties, so I am going to throw parties.  The people who were doing it before were no longer doing it, and later on, I started going to Chicago and building those relationships and gaining a new respect for the dance and Chicago. I knew that whatever I had to do had to incorporate Chicago to be true to the roots. I know Chicagoans are ready to fight, slap and kick you if you’re not treating their dance right. Even during COVID, Chicago was still dancing in small groups, whether in someone’s backyard with a fire pit, on the back patio dancing, or in Catrice’s kitchen or the garage with Will Barnes. To Chicago, not dancing is not an option.

Why did you remain engaged and become more involved in the Chicago Stepping community?

 When the people who were hosting and keeping events here in Columbus relocated, something had to be done. Renee Austin moved to Atlanta, and Jay Johnson moved to Kalamazoo. Y’all got me hooked, gave me the drug, so now what was I supposed to do? Traveling isn’t always feasible. If I see something that needs to be done, I am going to do it. That’s how I was raised, and it was instilled in me. I have been involved since then as far as hosting events. What kept me involved was continuing to learn. If you think you got it, there is always more to learn. When I saw people dance with my ex and give her a better dance than I did kept me motivated. I am very competitive and was taught to do my best at whatever I learn.  That’s what really kept me involved, always trying to be better.

I support the movement as far as New School music, but at the end of the day, Red, White, and Smoove is for everybody. One of my favorite people inbox me before Red, White, and Smoove. I think she just turned 70. She inboxed me and said, “You know I love you, and you know I  support everything you do, but I believe Red, White, and Smoove is for the younger generation. So, I will not be attending this weekend. I said, “Wait a minute! What??” I didn’t really know how to take that.

Red, White, and Smoove is for everybody. I feel like a lot of the sets aren’t for everybody. Many sets are about “we gonna play what we wanna play” and this is what it is. I like to make a conscious effort to ensure that Red, White, and Smoove plays music for everybody and creates a young, energetic atmosphere. You can just come and let your hair down and not experience the same old same old. We want to be unique and different.

That’s my personality – to be different from everybody else. If everyone else is wearing Jordans, I will be wearing Alexander McQueen. If everyone else is wearing Gucci and Louis Vitton, I will be wearing Burberry. That’s just how I am. I want my event to be different but also inclusive. If you are younger, you gonna hear some stuff. If you are older, you gonna hear some stuff. If you are in the middle, you are going to hear something you can relate to. That’s how I make my event different and incorporate some new things like the Silent Party, Pajama Jam, and After Party.