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.