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the steppers society of ny

PRESERVE. PROMOTE. GROW.

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The Beverly House - 1983

The History & Evolution of Chicago Steppin'

"To preserve a culture, we must first understand It's History."

Chicago Steppin' did not begin as a dance with a name.

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It evolved over decades through generations of Black Chicagoans who gathered in neighborhoods, school gyms, ballrooms, social clubs, lounges, and hotel ballrooms to dance, socialize, and build community.

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Long before it became known around the country as Chicago Steppin', it was simply a way people moved to the music.

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Today, we honor the DJs, promoters, dancers, instructors, and pioneers whose contributions helped shape one of America's most elegant social dances.

TIMELINE OF CHICAGO STEPPIN'

1940–1960

The Ballroom & Big Band Era

The earliest roots of Chicago Steppin' can be traced to Chicago's ballroom culture.

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During this period, dancers embraced:

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  • Jitterbug

  • Lindy Hop

  • Big Band partner dancing

  • Early Black social dances

 

These dances established many of the concepts that would later influence Bopping and eventually Chicago Steppin'.

1960–1972

The Birth of "Steppin'"

As Motown, Jazz, Soul and R&B became the soundtrack of Chicago's social scene, the dance continued evolving inside:

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  • High school dance sets

  • College dance sets

  • Ballrooms

  • Neighborhood parties

  • Downtown dance events

 

Many influential DJs and promoters helped shape the culture during this era, including:

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  • Richard Pegue

  • William Barnett

  • Luther Gage

  • Phil Johnson

  • Sam Chatman

 

Sam Chatman's Contribution

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One of the most significant moments in Chicago Steppin' history occurred when legendary DJ Sam Chatman observed a dancer separating from his partner and "walking" back toward her.

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While on the microphone, he encouraged him to "Step On."

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The phrase quickly caught on.

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Sam Chatman began printing Steppin' on flyers and promotional materials, giving the evolving dance the name by which it is now known. He is widely credited with coining the term "Steppin'" and later became known as the Godfather of Steppin'.

1972–1989

Chicago's Underground Era

Chicago Steppin' flourished throughout the city's underground social network.

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Dance communities gathered inside:

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  • Social Clubs

  • Dancecettes

  • Old Timers Clubs

  • Tom Cats

  • Boppers organizations

  • Hotels

  • Lounges

  • Ballrooms

 

Popular venues included:

  • Ascot

  • Midland

  • Sheraton House

  • Hotel Downtown

 

Neighborhoods across both the West Side and South Side became home to thriving Steppin' communities.

 

The dance remained largely local, community-driven, and passed from generation to generation.

Before 1989

The DJs Who Preserved the Music

Before Steppin' received widespread exposure, the culture was sustained by Chicago's DJs.

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As Professor Reggie Miles notes, before 1989 there wasn't a formal "Steppers DJ" designation—there were simply DJs who understood the music and kept dancers on the floor.

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Some of the respected names from that era include:

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  • DJ Sam Chatman

  • Willie Cox

  • Luther Gage

  • Jimmy Lee

  • Big Luke

  • Bill Humphries

  • Ernest Lasenby

  • Kenny B. Thompson

  • Sweet Judy

  • Alvia McNeal

  • Gerald Jones

 

These individuals helped preserve the musical foundation that allowed Chicago Steppin' to continue evolving.

1990–2003

Competition & National Growth

The 1990s marked an era of tremendous growth.

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Key developments included:

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  • The World's Largest Steppers Competition

  • The rise of Camps

  • Steppers organizations

  • The merging of dance styles

  • House Music influencing DJs

  • The Internet

  • Steppers magazines

  • Online communities

  • Early Steppers websites

 

Chicago Steppin' began expanding beyond Chicago and reaching dancers throughout the United States.

2003–Present

The Digital Preservation Age

Chicago Steppin' entered a new chapter through:

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  • Social Media

  • National Instructors

  • Professional Promoters

  • Dance Competitions

  • Instructor Certification

  • Technology-driven DJ mixing

  • National Weekend Events

  • Workshops

  • Festivals

 

What was once a uniquely Chicago tradition is now danced throughout the United States and internationally.

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Yet despite its growth, its heart remains rooted in the culture and communities that nurtured it.

The above timeline is according to information documented by Prof. Reggie Miles

Our Commitment

At The Steppers Society of NY, we believe preserving Chicago Steppin' means preserving its history—not just its patterns.

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We honor the pioneers who built the culture, the DJs who preserved the music, the promoters who created spaces for the community, the instructors who continue to teach it, and every dancer who carries the tradition forward.

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As we introduce Chicago Steppin' to New York and beyond, we remain committed to honoring its origins while helping write its next chapter.

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Preserve. Promote. Grow.

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