By Tasia Williams (Student Affairs Marketing and Communications Intern)

2024 marks the return of one of the most anticipated traditions hosted by the University of Alabama at Birmingham’s Black Student Awareness Committee (BSAC): the 31st Camille Armstrong Memorial Scholarship Step Show! The event will take place on Saturday, Feb. 24, at the Alys Stephens Center Jemison Concert Hall. Comedian FunnyMaine will serve as emcee. Doors open at 6 pm, and the show starts at 7 pm.

Not since 2020 has BSAC hosted the show where National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) step teams from UAB, college campuses, and exhibition teams around Alabama showcased their “stepping” skills while competing. Stepping is a traditional form of rhythmic stomping, clapping, and chanting that originated in African American fraternities and sororities. Stepping combines high-energy choreography, elaborate skits, and color-coordinating costumes. Each year, the show draws over 1200 people cheering and applauding for their favorite step teams. 

The Camille Armstrong Memorial Scholarship Step Show was established to honor the life of Selma-native Camille Yvette Armstrong, a member of the Iota Lambda chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated. In addition to being an accomplished political science major planning to attend law school, Camille was a respected leader on campus. Besides membership in Delta Sigma Theta, she was active in the NAACP and UAB Ambassadors. Camille tragically lost her life in a motor vehicle accident just a few weeks before graduation in 1986. Friends of Camille established the step show a year later to support her legacy.

"We're honored to continue Camille Armstrong's legacy through this step show by awarding scholarships to students who aspire to follow in her footsteps in pursuing a legal career," expressed Vivica Parker, coordinator of Social Justice Programs and advisor of the Black Student Awareness Committee. "The proceeds will support high-achieving African American undergraduate students at UAB majoring in political science."

Tickets can be purchased online at $20, but $15 tickets are available for UAB students, staff, and faculty. To receive the UAB discount, you must present your UAB ID at the Alys Stephens Center box office. Doors open at 6 p.m., and the show begins at 7 p.m.

For more information or disability accommodations, email Vivica Parker at parkerv@uab.edu, and for exciting updates leading up to the 31st Camille Armstrong Memorial Step Show, follow BSAC on Instagram at bsacatuab.