Founded in 1965 by Congressman Gus Savage and expanded by William Garth, Sr., the Citizen Newspaper chain has served for over five decades as the Midwest’s largest Black-owned weekly news source and the trusted “Eyes and Ears” of Chicago’s Black community.

   There’s a unique magic when the Steppers community comes together, a vibrant fusion of flair, style, and grace that I’ve witnessed firsthand while filming DVDs for legends like Daryl Davis and Pete Frazier, because Steppin’ is more than dance, it’s memory, legacy, and culture in rhythm.

   Alvin Daniels is more than a filmmaker, he is a curator of lived experiences, a scholar of narrative, and a vessel for stories waiting to be told. As a Film Studies Professor at Chicago State University and CEO of Halsted Studios, Daniels has built a career on amplifying voices that deserve the spotlight. His acclaimed documentaries, Always A Winner: Roy Curry and Redemption: The Johnny Fort Story, have been lauded for their depth and humanity, recently showcased at the progressive Wayfarer Theaters. Daniels often says, “God’s timing is impeccable,” and that belief is evident in the work he produces films that arrive at the perfect moment to open hearts, challenge perspectives, and honor legacy.

   The upcoming Chicago Steppers Homecoming offers Daniels a new chapter to document: one of movement, pride, and cultural continuity. As an event rooted in Black identity, tradition, and artistry, it resonates deeply with Daniels' mission to portray African Americans in a dignified and multifaceted light. His previous films have illuminated not only the personal journeys of Fort and Curry but also broader themes of resilience, redemption, and community triumph. The rhythmic grace of Steppin’, steeped in history and communal expression parallels Daniels’ storytelling style: fluid, powerful, and emotionally grounded.

   With the support of inclusive platforms like Wayfarer Theaters, Daniels is poised to transform the Chicago Steppers Homecoming into more than an event, it becomes a cinematic testament to culture in motion. His lens doesn’t just record; it reveals. Daniels believes that through shared stories, we foster understanding, offer grace, and build stronger communities. By capturing the essence of Steppin’, its elegance, its energy, its legacy, Daniels ensures that this tradition is not only preserved, but elevated. Through his work, he continues to remind us that Black culture is not simply to be witnessed, but celebrated, studied, and deeply felt.