In Memory of Stepper Brian Archibald from Chicago

The week started with an early phone call and messages on Sunday about the tragic, sudden death of Brian Archibald in Chicago. R.I.H. Brian. I have witnessed the outpouring of photos and video memories of Brian from steppers, friends, and family across social media. This has been unbelievable, tough news for many in our community that knew Brian personally or knew of him. He was one of the Beginner’s category contestants that competed in the World’s Largest Steppers Contest in Chicago this year.

I met Brian in the spring of 2021 when I started attending Charnice Simmons’ stepping class in Chicago. It was hard not to notice him because he was so excited about learning. He was always either dancing with someone or by himself and practicing his moves. Just play some music, Brian was dancing. There was a memorable swag about the way he carried himself that also came through in his dance. What I know and remember about Brian is how he treated me and how I treated him in our interactions on and off the dance floor and in our interviews. Although our friendship was new, we had mutual respect. This has been a difficult week.

Whenever we spoke, Brian had a positive excitement about him – optimistic and competitive. Notably, I realized that when he put his mind to something that is what he is going to do. He approached me with questions when he considered entering the World’s Largest Steppers Contest. He was relatively new to stepping and this would be his first time as a contestant. I felt honored that he would ask me any questions when he didn’t know me for long. That is how our mutual respect began.

Brian told me that he attended the WLSC and he was amazed at the performances. He decided then, “I am going to be on that stage one day.” We had more than a few lengthy conversations about the contest, last chance prelims, what he would wear, and he introduced me to his partner, Cynthia Colquitt. In our contest conversations, Brian and I argued the most about him wearing a hat on the contest stage.

Me: You know, Charnice is not going to like you wearing that hat on stage.

Brian: I’m wearing my hat. That’s me.

Me: You better make sure you do everything not to let that hat fall of your head.

Anyone who saw his performance knows Brian wore his hat on stage and it did not fall.

Brian and I talked about stepping every time that we saw each other. I saw him at sets that I didn’t see most newer steppers. I’ve danced with him at DuSable park on Sundays, at 59^th Street Harbor, and at the Grand Ballroom, I danced with him only a couple of weeks ago at the Fifty Yard Line when I was in Chicago in early November. The last thing I said to Brian was “Are you still going to class? When was the last time that you have been to Charnice’s class?” This was just a thing with us, I was always giving him a hard time on the set when he started getting too excited and going fast when we danced. He was working on slowing down and always showing me what he just learned from Tick Myn.

Brian’s strong sense of self-determination is what I will remember most about him always. Well, I can’t forget his hats because he was always wearing one especially fedoras no matter when and where I saw him. Fortunately, I had a chance to interview Brian for my blog and featured him on livingthe8count. I am glad I had a chance to capture and share some parts of his WLSC stepping experience.

It has been obvious in the last three days on social media how many people Brian left an impression on and made an impact with. He looked a lot younger than he was and I was surprised to learn that he was Lloyd “Little Lloyd” Johnson’s uncle. To Lloyd and all of Brian’s family and friends, I extend my deepest condolences. Rest easy Brian. You will not be forgotten.