[et_pb_section bb_built=”1″][et_pb_row][et_pb_column type=”4_4″][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.0.101″ background_layout=”light”]

Story and photos by Andrea Johnson

[/et_pb_text][et_pb_gallery _builder_version=”3.0.101″ posts_number=”21″ show_title_and_caption=”off” show_pagination=”on” gallery_ids=”4188,4189,4190,4191,4192,4193,4194,4195,4196,4197,4198,4199,4200,4201,4202,4203,4204,4205,4206,4207,4208″ fullwidth=”off” db_image_max_width_tablet=”51″ db_image_max_height_tablet=”501″ db_image_row_spacing_tablet=”51″ db_image_object_fit=”initial” orientation=”landscape” zoom_icon_color=”#9d2235″ hover_overlay_color=”rgba(255,255,255,0.9)” background_layout=”light” db_image_center_titles=”left” pagination_font_size_tablet=”51″ pagination_line_height_tablet=”2″ /][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.0.101″ background_layout=”light”]

At the tweet of a whistle, hands clapped, feet stomped and voices shouted to one beat.

“Now sit back, but turn up as our chapter shows up and shows out,” senior Tiye Thomas announced to the audience of a couple hundred people. She wore the same jersey and ripped jeans as her sorority sisters who waited in the wings to take the stage. They proudly represented Delta Sigma Theta at the Convocation Step Show.

National Pan-Hellenic Council members danced onstage and through the aisles of the Verizon Ballroom in the Arkansas Union on Thursday evening, stepping in sync with their Greek brothers and sisters at the annual show. The Convocation Step Show gives people an opportunity to learn about NPHC, a council composed of nine – “the Divine Nine” – historically black fraternities and sororities, NPHC president J’lynn Lowery said. Members incorporated historical information about their organization into their routines to honor founders and each organization’s values.

This year the event fell on the day university officials kicked off the campus’ recognition of September as a month dedicated to Celebrating Inclusion and Diversity in Arkansas. Mayor Lioneld Jordan declared Sept. 5 as Fayetteville’s Celebrating Diversity and Inclusion Day in Arkansas. The university began the month of activities with a free concert in front of the Arkansas Union by Funk Factory, a local band. The band got people on their feet and dancing to Michael Jackson and Lynyrd Skynyrd tunes. Once the concert concluded, participants transitioned into the Verizon Ballroom to attend the Convocation Step Show.

Step shows are an NPHC tradition that’s been upheld for more than 14 years, said Parice Bowser, UA director of Greek Life. “This is a staple tradition for the African American community” at the University of Arkansas, she said. Connor Postle, director of special events for NPHC, thinks the show presents an inclusive atmosphere. Postle began performing in the shows during the spring 2016 semester and has participated in shows ever since.

“It’s essential to have the Divine Nine out there to show a diverse community and give people an opportunity to experience that culture,” he said.

Each movement the step show performers made called for strength and precision. Their rhythmic chants rang louder than cheerleaders at a crowded pep rally. And the next show on Oct. 19 will render “better and bigger,” Postle said, because it’s a competition with a $1,500 prize on the line.

Staff reporter Kristen Smith contributed to this report.

 

[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]