Chloe Bradley
Alpha Kappa Alpha members pose during their step performance at the University of Kentucky National Pan-Hellenic Council Annual Step Show at the Gatton Student Center on Oct. 11, 2024. Photo by Chloe Bradley | Staff
The University of Kentucky’s National Pan-Hellenic Council held their annual Homecoming Step Show fundraising event at the Gatton Student Center Ballroom.
The Oct. 11 Step Show consisted of a competition between “The Divine Nine” sororities and fraternities at UK. Each organization prepares a routine filled with stepping, dancing and music in hopes of taking home first place.
The Divine nine is composed of the nine historically Black Greek-letter organizations, all members of the National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC). Eight out of nine of the organizations have chapters at UK.
Stepping is a tradition amongst historically African-American sororities and fraternities, and is a percussive dance form that uses footsteps and clapping, according to Step Afrika! dance company.
As the event kicked off, students expressed how eager they were to see what each chapter had prepared.
“We’re just so excited to see their hard work come together,” Kennedi Smith, a member of the Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority, said.
National Pan-Hellenic Council chapter advisors Uriah Carter and Aku Fiagbeto introduced the hosts for the night, Bryson Fields and Chloe Kellom, both alumni of UK.
During their time at the university, Fields was a member of the Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity, and Kellom was a member of the Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority.
The hosts outlined the factors the judges would be basing their decisions on: difficulty, creativity, crowd appeal and enthusiasm.
While chapters performed their routines, the audience was filled with cheers. During the show, many attendees emphasized the importance of community.
“It’s just when all of our community can come out. That’s why it’s also called homecoming. It’s for alumni from chapters to come and see the new members … and just come out and support their families,” Fiagbeto said.
Students, alumni and family gathered and celebrated what these organizations had to bring to the stage. Performers and attendees also highlighted the cultural significance behind the Step Show.
“It allows us to tap back into our roots as an organization,” Amir Roberts, vice president of the Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity said.
The Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority and the Omega Psi Phi fraternity were announced as the winners of the 2024 Homecoming Step Show at the end of the night.