Were you that young cousin in your family who didn’t take dance lessons? I was. No tap shoes. No leotards. No teased, glitter-laden or overly gelled hair. Instead of practicing for recitals, I satisfied my hunger to leap and pivot by desperately trying to emulate the synchronized moves of Janet Jackson and Paula Abdul. And then an infamous episode of “Different World” aired and I was captivated by a form of dance foreign to me, but so familiar to the fictional college students I had come to admire. Who knew that during my cultural awakening, a young Howard University grad - newly returned from a time in Africa - was rigorously researching the history of this very art form for an amazing undertaking. Ahead of the organization’s VIP Gala: Step Afrika! After Dark on Thursday, June 9, 2016, I talked with Williams about his 20-plus year journey starting, building and managing this successful not-for-profit dance company and arts education institution. Dance l Stepping l Africa l Arts Education l Step Afrika! Produced by Audrey Adams.

Dare to Be

#2: C. Brian Williams (Dance Innovator, Cultural Ambassador and Founder of Step Afrika!)

With less than six months to Election Day, the U.S. Supreme Court has a big gaping hole due to the recent loss of Justice Antonin Scalia. The fear of a dreaded 4 to 4 split looms above its gleaming marble columns like a dark and lightening-charged cloud. U.S. President Barack Obama faces uncooperative congressional leaders and a high court nomination that appears to be in indefinite limbo. Before 2016. Before Clarence Thomas. The most controversial Supreme Court nominee, Thurgood Marshall, Jr., shook the halls of Capitol Hill and every southern courtroom with his intense grasp of the law and interpretation of the U.S. Constitution. From Sam Davis, Jr. and Sugar Ray Robinson, to Hurricane Katrina and Nelson Mandela's life and presidency after nearly three decades in prison, reporter and author Wil Haygood has elegantly covered and reimagined countless true stories of talent and triumph. His new book, "Showdown: Thurgood Marshall and the Supreme Court Nomination That Changed American," continues Haygood's tradition of expert storytelling and in this interview also shares the inspiration and process of his most notable works. Wil Haygood is best known as the author of the New York Times bestseller The Butler: A Witness to History and is a distinguished writer whose career has spanned decades. Wil was an associate producer on the film adaptation of his book, The Butler, which was sparked from his Washington Post article, starred Academy Award winners Forest Whittaker, Cuba Gooding, Jr., Robin Williams, Vanessa Redgrave and Jane Fonda, as well as the incomparable Oprah Winfrey. He currently serves the as Karl and Helen Wiepking Visiting Distinguished Professor at his alma mater Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. Books l Writing l Literature l Nonfiction l Supreme Court Produced by Audrey Adams.

#1: Wil Haygood (The Supreme Court, Thurgood Marshall and President Obama)

Presented by creativeanddaring.com, Dare to Be is a discussion, exploration and movement to learn about the creators, curators and artists we admire, and challenge listeners to embody and exhibit the dynamic spirit they appreciate from these guests -- in their own unique way.

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#2: C. Brian Williams (Dance Innovator, Cultural Ambassador and Founder of Step Afrika!)

#1: Wil Haygood (The Supreme Court, Thurgood Marshall and President Obama)