Midwest Greek Step Show unites generations of University alumni

The Brothers of Mu Chapter Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. won first place at this year’s Midwest Greek Step Show. | Photo courtesy of Rebecca Slater, @byrebeccastudios Midwest Greek Step Show unites generations of University alumni The annual homecoming event brought students, alumni and community members to Northrop for a step show featuring historically Black Greek-letter organizations that make up the National Pan-Hellenic Council. Categories: Campus Campus Activities Clubs and Organizations Marquee by Lizzy Nyoike Published November 4, 2026 After two years of second-place finishes, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Mu Chapter president Jon Knighten wanted his brothers to leave this year’s Midwest Greek Step Show with a win. The Mu Chapter has placed second to the Zeta Nu Sigma chapter of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. for two consecutive years, Knighten said. Preparation began around June, months before the chapter took the stage at Northrop during the University’s homecoming festivities. The competition brought students, alumni and community members together to celebrate historically Black fraternities and sororities through stepping. Delphanie Daniels is the owner of FaceTime, a business that brings community together to celebrate culture, build relationships and inspire one another to reach their full potential. FaceTime also puts on the show, and Daniels said the event first began as a fundraiser for a nonprofit educational program where she worked. Organizers wanted to raise money while exposing students to positive opportunities. The first show took place at Green Central Elementary School, followed by shows at North High School. As attendance grew beyond school venue capacity, organizers looked for larger spaces. Over the years, the show moved venues, including the University, the State Theater and the Minneapolis Convention Center. After its last show in 2013, the event took a decade-long break before returning in 2023, Daniels said. Its return came with encouragement from alumnus Steve Davis, who worked at the University. Daniels said attending the show had influenced Davis to join Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., and he later saw its potential to help rebuild the campus Greek community. “Steve was highly influential in me bringing it back because I was okay with it not being back,” Daniels said. “I appreciate the push because now the Greek community is growing.” Although the show had previously taken place on campus, its relationship with the University changed when it became part of official homecoming programming. Daniels said the partnership has continued for the past three years. Emily Oswalt, senior director of student engagement and director for fraternity and sorority life, said FaceTime, the Office for Student Affairs and the Black Alumni Network partnered to bring the show back. Organizers wanted to establish an event that could continue annually with Northrop as the venue and a place on the homecoming calendar, Oswalt said. Black Greek organizations have roots at the University dating back to the early 1910s. While their work extends beyond stepping and strolling, the performances give members an opportunity to share their history and creativity, according to Oswalt. “They have a critical part of our history at the University of Minnesota,” Oswalt said. That recognition carried personal meaning for Daniels, a University alumna who pledged Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Her sister and brother also graduated from the University and joined Greek letter organizations. “We created this community, but weren’t ever able to fully be a part of the community,” Daniels said. “Now I feel like I am a part of the ecosystem.” For Knighten, representing his chapter onstage required balancing rehearsals with schoolwork. Practices began once or twice a week before increasing to three to four times weekly as the show approached. With rehearsals taking over the evening hours, Knighten had to shift to doing his assignments in the mornings and afternoons. The Mu Chapter placed second to the Zeta Nu Sigma chapter of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. for two consecutive years, Knighten said. Knighten said older chapter members often talked about winning the show in the early 2000s. This year’s victory allowed the undergraduate chapter to continue that tradition. “Now that we’ve actually won the step show as undergrads, it feels like I’m bringing the chapter back to what it was back in its prime,” Knighten said. Daniels hopes to build on this year’s attendance, which she said filled Northrop’s main level and brought additional attendees into the balcony. She wants every organization to participate and hopes to restore volunteer work with local students that accompanied earlier shows. She hopes future shows will fill the entire Northrop auditorium. “We had a strong Greek community, and it’s unfortunate that it dropped, but it’s exciting because it’s building back up because of the step show,” Daniels said. “That momentum is building again.” View Story Comments 0 Like This Story Share on Facebook Share on X Email this Story Print this Story Leave a Comment More to Discover More in Campus Minnesota’s midterms unfold smoothly amid worries of federal interference Democrats win out across Minnesota amid national swing Video: Halloween movie trivia on Dinkytown streets St. Paul campus updates in motion Student spaces intended to curb stress available for academic midterms Video: DFL Get Out The Vote tour makes stop at The University of Minnesota More in Campus Activities Candidates address student voters at DFL rally on campus Sal Vulcano gives Northrop Auditorium crowd a comic relief for homecoming Convenience pulls student voters to Weisman pop-up Protests underscore Riley Gaines’ visit to the University of Minnesota Campus rally calls for accountability and change for sexual assault survivors Chalking Up RecWell's Remodeled Climbing Wall More in Clubs and Organizations Earth Month brings UMN students and administration together through environmentalism Chasing a national championship with the UMN Ultimate Frisbee club UMN’s MALCS holds panel discussion with four local lawmakers on Operation Metro Surge recovery UMN Zero Burn Coalition pushes to close down Minneapolis trash incinerators UMN USG presidential candidates review their campaigns UMN USG elects Fatima Aden and Izaan Rana as new president and vice president