livingthe8count 2021 Year in Review and our Focus for 2022

We started out 2021 in the middle of a nationwide quarantine but oh what a comeback! This year was the opportunity for some quiet time, introspection, and then deliberate, focused, action for many people as well as myself. Although we took our time to get back to the new semblance of normalcy, a lot has happened. It was a rollercoaster year for livingthe8count emotionally, physically, and spiritually in twelve months. In many ways, the stepping community won’t be the same. For steppers 2021 was a year for growth, creativity, taking chances, and debate. Let’s get into it with the livingthe8count 2021 year in review!

What did readers think about our 2021 story perspective?

From the livingthe8count perspective, 2021 was a year to get back to writing. With so many people spending time at home for different reasons, 2021 was prime time for reading. The lockdown from the COVID-19 pandemic limited in-person social interactions, but people began connecting online more than ever. Social media engagement increased 61 percent during the pandemic. We officially launched our Facebook group – livingthe8count, to stay at the heart of the conversation and to be more accessible to our readers.

Many of our blog stories featured steppers emerging from quarantine with new businesses, new music, a new approach to stepping events, and the hope for the comeback of the World’s Largest Steppers Contest. Stories expressed the boom of creativity, self-expression, and invention in our stepping community. My favorite times writing were:

• Asking A Woman to Dance on the Steppers Set
• Standing Tall and Stepping in Los Angeles. Meet Stepper Jana Wilson
• Ronnie B Releases New Album, Loves Journey
• Kevin Brewer Takes Stepping to the Campgrounds and
• Exploring the Relationship between Skating and Chicago Stepping

I love these moments, especially because, at some point in all of these interviews, it got personal for somebody. Here are Our Readers’ Top 3 and a quick glance at the Top 10 Cities that our readers came from.

2021 Community Conversation

DEBATE AND DIVISION

We don’t like to talk about this part and give it too much life, but it happened. Debates about New School versus Old School, Out of Towners versus Chicago, 8 Counters doing Spins & Turns versus Dancers, NOADWBP versus Many. Oh my! The good part was some of the outcomes – marked recognition and respect for Old School and the movement for steppers to get back to learning Old School. Ultimately, our community still found a way for every New School stepper to have a place to dance regardless of what music they liked to hear or didn’t want to hear. Moreover, Old School steppers like Darryl Davis, Celeste, Scorpio, Roxie, The Foxettes, Ty Skippy, Josiah Burt, Dimples, Jacques Sanders, and others came out mingling, talking, and sharing with younger steppers. I witnessed a lot of this unfold in lessons and classes with Charnice Simmons and at the Willie Bell Breakfasts. And most important, there was a new appreciation from young steppers for “The Get Down” and walking.

ARISING FROM THE PANDEMIC

Steppers everywhere were eager to be back on the dancefloor at stepper sets and events. From social media videos and posts, it seemed that Chicago was the first to take the chance to reopen stepper sets. Places like VIP in Country Club Hills, IL became popular. The Blue Note and The Fifty Yard Line eventually reopened with strict mask guidelines, but some places like the Grand Ballroom were shut down by the city because of overcrowding. However, some places like East of the Ryan and Universal Entertainment Center have not quite reopened. Many steppers passed away during the pandemic. These were sad times but for some steppers, this ignited action because every stepper that passed was a reminder of our own mortality and the limited time we have for doing things we want to do or enjoy while we are still here with loved ones.

We felt a new impetus of steppers starting new businesses, releasing new music, finding creative new ways for us to dance safely again like with Steppin’ and Glampin’, traveling, and the epic stepper birthday celebrations. Footage from Little Lloyd and Charnice’s backyard birthday blowout showed off an amazing, memorable celebration. Hollywood Frank’s 80th Birthday Party at the 50 Yard Line is one I will not forget. At the same time throughout the seasons, the fluctuating numbers for COVID cases had promoters taking a chance on whether or not to host events. There were major stepper events every week in August in different cities. Black & Bling was one event returning months after its typical event month-April. Despite all of it, steppers were traveling again and not only to dance but to enjoy new places and people. Photos and videos of steppers in Aruba, Mexico, Jamaica, Hawaii, St. Maarten, and international destinations became a social media trend.

SELF CARE AND CARING FOR EACH ANOTHER

The most important part of our community is the people. COVID has touched most if not all of us personally in the stepping community. It seemed that every week I saw a post about a stepper passing or about someone battling health complications. Whether we had to make some life changes to lose quarantine pounds or get our minds right to fight depression and stay well, 2021 was also a time for self-transformation. At times the death amongst us scared me and left me speechless. I have been to so many stepper sets and events since the summer where we observed a moment of silence for another fallen stepper. COVID shows no age bias and both the young and the old have been affected seriously. Some days I dance to forget. Some days I dance to remember. However, I try, even on the toughest days to stay resilient and hope that we continue to pray for and love each other. We must remember to take care of ourselves. I want to make some special mentions and ask that you keep these steppers in your heart and mind:

Additionally, special condolences to the family and friends of steppers, Sharon Reed-Mays and Brian Archibald. These are two steppers who we will not forget. I ask that we also keep the following men in our prayers who have lost close family or loved ones – Lloyd Johnson, Eric Gordon, and Michael Davney.

THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR STEPPING HISTORY

In the spring, two steppers’ publications previously owned by Markie Bee (RIH) – SteppersUSA.com and SteppersHistory.org – were no longer accessible or available online. We noticed that valuable resources for stepping history and information were slowly disappearing over time. It was so important for livingthe8count to continue writing and so I did. I believe many steppers felt a sense of responsibility to do their part in recording our history and preserving information about stepping. Throughout the stepping community, especially in Chicago and Atlanta, I have heard of several documentary projects underway in different groups, upcoming Netflix series, and other offline projects that plan to launch in 2022. The ideas and vision from these history projects are what I look forward to the most in 2022.

CONTEST FEVER

During the summer months, prelims were held in Chicago and different cities for WLSC, and many steppers were excited about the contest’s comeback. However, although events seemed to be back, steppers were skeptical that Pete Frazier and the Majestic Gents would be able to host an event as large as the WLSC in Chicago in September. But, WLSC happened successfully and they held the Master’s category as a carryover from the cancellation of WLSC in 2020. The Get Down Contest in Chicago and other smaller contests happened in other places like California, Georgia, and Texas, but nothing compared to the new Texas Heat hosted by Nikee and Crystal with monetary prizes and trophies comparable to the World’s Largest Contest categories and winnings. 2021 was the first year for the Texas Heat but the support and Chicago show out makes this contest one to look forward to in 2022.

STEPPING BOOM ON SOCIAL MEDIA

As mentioned before, social media engagement grew significantly and steppers continued to take advantage of the new boom in 2021. Many Facebook Live shows picked up and more virtual stepper sets started and grew with even some new DJs. Steppers all knew that in times like these, we needed our music. Then Facebook started even more restrictions to take away our music. In response, steppers ventured to new platforms like Twitch and YouTube to circumvent the new problem and to continue to share Chicago Stepping. Some of the success stories for steppers on YouTube from this boom include:

livingthe8count felt the impact of this boom. We were flooded with email requests and calls for information on new Chicago Stepping classes in cities all across the USA. We had to put new tools in place to support this new demand for dance instructions and to respond to requests.

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livingthe8count Focus for 2021 and 2022

Whether looking back at 2021 or planning for 2022, livingthe8count is a lifestyle brand. We are not a social media brand or personality but we know the importance of leveraging social media to share with readers and to allow our audience to communicate and engage with us. We proudly own our dotcom presence and keep it central to everything we do. 2021 was a year to secure our work, continue to support steppers in their journeys on and off the dance floor, and build relationships within the community. In an effort to continue our success beyond the stories and content we shared, we also:

• Established our LLC and trademarked our name and launched our Facebook group, livingthe8count
• Launched a new sister website, StepintheChi.org, to provide information to steppers going to Chicago
• Participated in documentary projects all of which I can’t disclose right now but will
• Reorganized website content to provide concise, clear information to make it easy for people to find us online
• Created a simple way for steppers or the general public to connect with stepping instructors to learn to step

In 2022, we will continue this work, focusing our writing on stepper stories from Chicago and in different cities and history, participating in special projects, and launching a new livingthe8count service that we are piloting in January. Finally, I want to say thank you to all the steppers, readers, and partners that made everything in 2021 possible. I want to say a special thank you to Cynthia Bean for everything. I look forward to an exceptional time and all the fun ahead in 2022.