INSPIRED BY: CELEBRATING WOMEN HOSTING WEEKEND EVENTS FOR WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH
For Women’s History month, we want to draw a special focus and celebrate Belinda Booker, a woman stepping out in Huntsville, Alabama, to bring the joy of stepping into her local community. Her MLK Weekend brings steppers from surrounding communities and cities to a special town that is not quite so popular as a stepping destination. Belinda is taking strides to bring Huntsville to the stepping map and enjoys spreading a love for the dance she grew up with in Chicago. Belinda, we celebrate you and all that you do for our community. You are making an impact for women to shine in the Chicago stepping community.
Meet Belinda Booker
Belinda Booker is from the Southside of Chicago. Growing up in the Fernwood neighborhood, she attended Fernwood Elementary School and then graduated from Fenger High School. She attended and graduated from Robert Morris College when it was located in downtown Chicago.
In 1995, she took a chance and relocated to Atlanta during Freaknik weekend. She had never heard of Freaknik, so it was an interesting experience. In 2011, Belinda relocated to Huntsville, Alabama, where she completed and received a Master’s Degree in Adult Education at Strayer University. She loves it in Huntsville. However, she is always in Chicago visiting her Mom, family, and friends. Belinda grew up stepping in Chicago in the late 70s.
“First, we bopped, we slow danced, and we did the hustle. Back in those days, new dances came out all the time. We were teenagers, and we were always at a party. I was introduced to the structured “eight (8) count” method of stepping in 2015. I think the structure style can change your authentic Chicago flow, but it’s definitely for the best, and I love it. Amazingly, a Chicago neighborhood dance has evolved into a dance loved worldwide. I love the fact that I’m a part of that history. It’s so amazing, and the key factor for others’ learning is and has been a structured method of teaching and learning how-to-step Chicago style.”
Belinda Booker
Belinda’s older sister Sharon Booker taught her how to bop and step. We were 12 and 13. Sharon was in high school, and she went to Fenger High School. A lot of the boys at my elementary school stepped, and very few girls were into it at that time. The dance wasn’t feminine, so the girls mostly watched, but the boys wanted us to learn, so we did. The original steps and the steps that are being taught today are basically the same.
What inspired you to start hosting the MLK weekend event?
We started hosting events in January 2017, when I was introduced to the “8 count.” In fact, we always hosted the stepping class right before the set. If the party started at 8 pm, we had classes from 6:30 to 7:45 pm. Our events have always been about the classes, and we always give the classes away for free. Huntsville’s MLK Weekend Event started as a Sunday afternoon class and day set with Sarah Teagle as one of the instructors. Sarah was vending at a skate event here in Huntsville. I’ve known Sarah for many years. When I lived in Atlanta, she was a regular roller skater. I asked Sarah to teach a class and DJ for a day set, and she did. The Nashville, Clarksville, BHAM, Atlanta, and other steppers and roller skaters attended. Huntsville’s first MLK Day set was a huge success because of our wonderful stepping community.
Tell us about Huntsville MLK Weekend and why you picked that time of the year.
Actually, that time of year picked us. We only hosted a Sunday afternoon day set, but many guests showed up on Saturday to hang out with us. We eventually added a set on Saturday, and then our guests started showing up on Friday to hang out with us, so we added a Friday set. Huntsville’s weekend event grew organically and by popular demand. We never planned to host a full weekend event, mainly because the weather is unpredictable in January, but Huntsville’s event is a huge success every year. I think the fact that it’s a holiday weekend helps a lot. We always have a good turnout.
What is the challenge for a female promoter in the stepping community?
In my opinion, as female promoters, we can get emotionally attached to the event. For me, it helps when I have the balance of my son Gregory Roberson, Jr. and my best friend James Leslie helping. They really balance me out because I have a strong passion and love for our stepping community. I think because they’re both businessmen, it helps me a lot. Female promoters in the stepping community should view their events as a business, not a challenge. It helps when you have men on your team and by your side.
What do you see as the advantage of being a female promoter?
As female promoters, we’re naturally nurturers and go above and beyond to ensure our guests are well cared for. Of course, we usually want to feed you all weekend. Also, I think another advantage is that we think about the little things that will add value to the event. For example, sometimes, we add a feminine touch with many extra fluffy decorations. We love it, and it’s pretty. I think it adds value to the event.
What kind of support do you need for the Huntsville MLK Weekend?
I would love to see more local support from Huntsville’s city officials and local businesses. We have received some donations of maps and coupons from Huntsville’s visitors center. J.T.’s Shoe Care has sponsored food for us. We’re very thankful, but it would be nice to have more support, and I know Huntsville can do better. At our January 2023 MLK event, I did receive a very special presentation and beautiful MLK jacket from Chicago stepping legend Calvin Jarrett better known as “Taboo”‘.
The stepping community represents “Black Excellence.” My team and I have contributed to our local community by hosting free stepping classes and events that have helped local businesses in Huntsville make lots of money. My Chi-Town Baby Sister, A’Sonya Green, has often stated that the stepping community has created a “resort lifestyle” that includes a system for us to enjoy regular weekend events. Huntsville’s 2024 event will be the eighth year that Chicago Steppin’ by The Book has hosted our MLK Event and many other events in Huntsville.
We have had a few hundred guests visit Huntsville from all over the country. We would love for our local community and city officials to take note of our guests by welcoming them with small token gifts or door prizes. However, my team and I could better contact our local community and city officials.
What are some of your lessons learned that will make 2024 different?
Every year is different, it’s always better, and we usually keep our guests busy with activities and options to improve their dance. My son Gregory Roberson, Jr. has been by my side since the first event. After every event, he says, “Next year, you have to do better.” I’ve learned to always raise the bar super high with the venue, hotel, food, music, and inviting new guests.
Another lesson learned is that the stepping community needs to host classes and events as often as possible. The more events, the better because that’s the only way the dance will continue to spread. I think that our stepping community is basically underground. I would love for us to become mainstream, and spreading the dance will definitely help. The “Chicago Steppin’ by the Book” team is already working hard on Huntsville’s January 12-14, 2024 itinerary. We’re very excited for our guests because MLK 2024 will be different and better. It’ll be Huntsville’s biggest and best weekend event ever!!
What is unique about the Huntsville, Alabama region that should appeal to steppers that help to elevate your event’s destination?
First, Huntsville is known as Rocket City because of NASA. The U.S. Army Redstone Arsenal is here. It is a huge army base here in Huntsville, where one of the US Garrisons is located. Alabama A&M, The University of Alabama (UAH), Strayer University, and many other colleges, plus every major contractor you can think of, are all here. Huntsville is a military and College town. Year after year, we shower our guests with southern hospitality and love.
One of the unique things about Huntsville’s region is that we’re centrally located. Many southern cities and states surround us. Huntsville’s history includes that it was the hub for the Confederacy during the civil war. In fact, the transit station that the confederates used is a part of the local museum in downtown Huntsville. It’s very interesting. Another advantage for our region is that most Southern states and cities surrounding Huntsville have stepping communities. They’re all within driving distance.
I must mention Nashville and Clarksville, which have been extremely instrumental in the success of Huntsville’s weekend events. Nashville is a little over an hour away from Huntsville. I like to refer to the Nashville stepping community as Mom and Dad. We’re family. Also, a three-time Chicago World Largest Stepping Contest winner, Jamie Graham, lives in Huntsville. He is my instructor, and I think he is one of the best instructors and steppers in the stepping community.
Thoughts from Belinda on Mentoring, Numbers, and Learning to Step
I want to thank “livingthe8count” for the opportunity to share Huntsville’s Story. I strongly recommend to all baby promoters and steppers to seek out and find a couple of different mentors. There are my mentors and stepping instructors to who I am super thankful. Burt “stepper B” Burton, L.C. Henderson, Carla Hart, Renee Heard, A’Sonya Green, Jannett Jennings, Jamie Graham, Sarah Teagle, and others are all honest with me. They tell me the truth regarding hosting events and improving my dance.
My accounting background has taught me to respect numbers, and the numbers prove that classes and the eight-count have been a critical factor for others to learn how to step Chicago style. Structured classes and hosting events are responsible for Chicago successfully spreading and growing nationwide. Just like roller skating, stepping takes a lot of practice.
My mentor and friend, Renee Heard, always says, “Without structure, the dance can’t evolve; we must educate ourselves and others.” So, please find a stepping class or some mentors. And, whatever you do, please don’t miss Huntsville’s 2024 MLK Weekend Event hosted by Chicago Steppin’ by The Book. Thank You, and Peace and Love to Everyone!!
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Welcome! I am the writer Sonji Stewart. These are my travel stories about my Chicago Stepping experiences, traveling from city to city to dance. I hope my stories encourage you to join me in the adventure.
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