Step show recognizes African American culture

Graduate Assistant of Greek Affairs Phillip Anthony presents flowers to Dr. Patricia Graham, a retired faculty whom the step show is named after. Photo Courtesy of Phillip Anthony
Graduate Assistant of Greek Affairs Phillip Anthony presents flowers to Dr. Patricia Graham, a retired faculty whom the step show is named after.  Photo Courtesy of Phillip Anthony
Graduate Assistant of Greek Affairs Phillip Anthony presents flowers to Dr. Patricia Graham, a retired faculty whom the step show is named after.
Photo Courtesy of Phillip Anthony

BY DANIELLE ERTLE
SC Staff Writer

An opportunity for entertainment at ESU was presented by Patricia Graham’s 2nd Annual

Step Show last Saturday.

The event was organized last year by Jazmyn Pulley, Greek Advisor of Greek Affairs and Corenilia Sewell-Allen, Director of Multicultural Affairs.

“We decided that students needed to be exposed to part of the African American culture and history that ESU does not have easy access to,” said Jazmyn.

ESU has a school step team run by the African American Student Association.

If their team did not represent the University, both the knowledge and history behind this culture would not be recognized.

Jazmyn and Cornelia decided that it would a good opportunity to have a step show on campus and have different organizations come and step with them.

As for the name of the show, the committee voted last year to name it after Dr. Patricia Graham because of her service to students of color at ESU for over twenty years.

After her retirement last year, Jazmyn and Cornelia decided to have her name and legacy remembered in this step show.

The show exposes students on campus to the importance of stepping in the African American culture and how it has evolved into other cultures over the years.

In order to spread this side of African American culture around campus, a lot of time and planning went into the event.

Students from other states like Maryland and New Jersey come and step with ESU’s team.

According to Jazmyn, the first step show was a success last year.

“It was a success for the first time having it as part of the month’s celebration. I think we learned some great lessons for this year and continue to learn each year,” she said.

This year, an after party was held at 10 PM in the Keystone Room.

The show will continue in the spring with teams from all over the area coming to step with ESU.

Email Danielle at:

dertle@live.esu.edu