Every STEP of the way

Have you ever seen a step show?? If you haven’t, head over to YouTube and type in ‘Stepping’ in the search engine and you will find all kinds of shows.

I perform in my first step in a talent show (Apollo Nite) at my alma mater, University of Tampa, in Spring 1988. It was awesome. It wasn’t complicated (I made up the routine). My next step show was as a non Greek team that performed during halftime at my alma mater’s Basketball game during my Sophomore in the Spring 1989. A month later, I would pledge Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. which would begin my life long stepping adventures.

I have been in countless shows. At this point, there are two many to count. Some were memorable and some were “Oooo lawd! What were YOU thinking?”. However, they were all impactful to me.

But the one stepping performance that resonates with me occurred during my wedding reception. My wife specifically requested my brothers and I step and they did not disappoint.

But what made the show memorable had nothing to do with the stepping.

At the time of our wedding, like a lot of couples who ‘pay for their own wedding’, we were scrambling at the end. Fortunately, we had a great wedding coordinator (and Soror! Once again, those DAMN AKAs! Lol) who made life easier but with finances dwindling, family members coming and last minute changes, it became nightmarish.

However, there were many people who didn’t let us slip. Whether it be our parents, my wife’s aunts, our cousins, our wedding coordinator (that damn AKA. Lol) or our friends, we had a lot of support.

And it resonated in different ways. Whether it be my Best Woman (another DAMN AKA), one of my Groomsmen who was a Sigma (Still trying to figure out in the town where I pledged Alpha and with a BOAT load of Alpha brothers everywhere, how I ended up spending my last night as a Single man with a Sigma. Still trying to figure that one out) or ALL of brothers who troubleshot every problem, every issue was addressed.

So, by the time we got to the reception, ate our meal, cut the cake, and did our dances, I was completely and unconditionally relaxed.

So for those who are lucky enough to have someone support you ‘Every Step of the Way’, consider yourself lucky. I truly am blessed to have stepped down the aisle with a beautiful woman and had plenty of people supporting me with every little step I took.

Comments

Why I’m Not Trying to Make New Friends After 40 (And Why That’s Okay)

Intro: We’ve all heard someone say, “I’m not trying to make new friends.” On the surface, it can sound antisocial or dismissive. But if you’re in your 40s or beyond, that phrase starts to carry a whole new weight. It’s not about shutting people out—it’s about recognizing the power of relationships that have been built over decades. Listen to the Full Podcast Below: Listen to "Friends After 40: Why Your Circle Shrinks But Grows Deep" on Spreaker. Friends from the Beginning of Adulthood Friendships you start in your teens or early 20s come with a different energy. These are the people who were there during your first job, first apartment, first heartbreak, first real success. They were becoming adults alongside you. By the time you reach 40, something strange and powerful happens: You’ve now known those friends longer than you haven’t. That changes everything. Why Foundational Friendships Hit Different at 40+ Friendships at this stage aren’t casual. They’ve survive...

The Danger wasn’t always clear: Navigating Racism as Black Generation X

On July 16, 2025, I posted a video short titled “Black Generation X: The Danger Wasn’t Always Clear.” That post came from a deeply personal place. Growing up as part of Generation X meant stepping into environments where the rules around race and safety weren’t always obvious. When I was younger, my family shielded me from the harshest realities. I lived in communities where I was nurtured and protected. I was also part of the first wave of kids who went from kindergarten through high school entirely in desegregated schools. In that space, I don’t recall any overt instances of racism or bigotry. And while that was a blessing, it also left me unprepared—because I didn’t know what danger looked like when it wasn’t wearing a hood or shouting slurs. Once I left home, the uncertainty began. The Barber Who “Couldn’t” \When I arrived at the University of Tampa in the fall of 1987, I needed a haircut before starting ROTC training. I had just completed Army training that summer, so I was ...

Week in Review: Black Gen X in the Shadows and the Spotlight

Week in Review: Black Gen X in the Shadows and the Spotlight IN THE KNOW with Tony Reeves This past week, I dedicated my daily Shorts to the voices, struggles, and overlooked truths of Black Generation X. We were the first generation to grow up after the Civil Rights Act, but we still faced the burden of racism, stereotypes, and cultural tension. Sometimes, the world said the danger was gone—but we could still feel it. Here’s what this week looked like: 📆 July 11 – When a White Student Said I Was Segregating Myself Reflecting on the tension between integration and identity. 📆 July 12 – No Signs. No Warnings. Just the Same Old Danger A powerful look at the hidden threats Black Gen X still faced. 📆 July 13 – Gen X: Bridging Analog to Digital A generation of transformation—before tech ruled the world. 📆 July 14 – Raised by the Past How the warnings of our parents shaped how we saw the world. 📆 July 15 – Are We Repeating History? Hard questions from a generati...

The Anthony Reeves Experience

Search This Blog