On Friday during 4th period, the 1 Global Step Team is set to perform in the Calabasas High School PAEC. The event is open to all students and staff, and teachers can choose to sign up their 4th period classes to attend the event. After the step team is done performing, there will be a catered luncheon exclusive to BSU members and staff, along with multiple guest speakers.
The 1 Global Step Team is part of a larger organization that works to mentor youth in the art of stepping, as well as instilling values and skills that can be used in life. Stepping is a historic form of storytelling within dance that is orchestrated by African American fraternities and sororities and involves each performer using their body as an instrument to produce rhythms.
“It’s a form of dance that is really built into black culture,” says BSU President Sadie Johnson.
The Black Student Union collaborated with ASB to put this event in motion. LVUSD’s Coordinator of Community and Culture, Courtney Peoples, also had a significant role in getting this up off the ground and fulfilling the dreams of many black students at CHS.
“I’ve always had a dream of having a step team at the school and bringing culture especially during black history month,” said Johnson. “We tried to do it last year and it didn’t work out, but definitely with the help of Courtney Peoples we were able to bring 1 Global Step Team to CHS.”
Now, the dreams are becoming reality. At the performance, there will be a slideshow right before the dance showing the history of step and how it is ingrained in black culture. Then, the performers will complete the routine.
“I’m happy the step team is coming because it’s a part of our culture and since this school is a PWI (Predominantly White Institution), it’s nice to see our culture getting appreciated and have a chance to be shown,” said Tatiara Jones, a member of BSU.
Since the performance is being held during instructional time, not all students are able to attend due to limited space or their teachers not signing up their class for it. AP US History teacher Mrs. Cook chose to put it to a vote in her class to see if they would like to attend, given that they would be missing class and have to make up work on their own time. Her class ultimately voted to attend the performance.
“I’m a US History teacher, and it’s black history month, and this is so much a part of American culture, but specifically black culture,” said Cook. “I think it’s important for us in general, from a US History class, to learn as much as we can about the different groups in the United States.”
