Soul Step: A Conversation with Jewell Parker Rhodes and Kelly McWilliams

The year is 2024, and the world of children’s literature is about to get a whole lot more rhythmical. Celebrated author Jewell Parker Rhodes and her daughter, Kelly McWilliams, are making their joint literary debut with Soul Step, a vibrant picture book illustrated by the talented Briana Mukodiri Uchendu. This isn’t just a story; it’s a celebration of heritage, a testament to Black joy, and oh yeah, did we mention it involves some serious stepping?

The Genesis of Soul Step: When Inspiration Meets Collaboration

Jewell Parker Rhodes, a powerhouse in the literary world, had always been captivated by the energy and power of step dancing. The way it transforms bodies into instruments, creating intricate rhythms and breathtaking synchronicity, resonated deeply with her. But something held her back from weaving this passion into her writing: “How,” she wondered, “do you capture that raw, kinetic energy on the page?”

The answer, as fate often has it, came knocking in the form of a looming deadline and a very special collaborator: her daughter, Kelly McWilliams. McWilliams, a new mother navigating the turbulent waters of raising a child of color amidst the powerful resurgence of the Black Lives Matter movement, brought a fresh, deeply personal perspective to the project.

The Story and its Significance: Finding Your Voice Through the Rhythm of Tradition

Soul Step isn’t just about fancy footwork; it’s about finding your voice, your strength, and your place in the world. The story follows a young girl whose mother, a steppin’ queen in her own right, uses this dynamic dance form as a way to navigate the daily microaggressions that try to dim her shine. The girl, witnessing her mother’s resilience and joy, embarks on her own journey to understand the deeper significance woven into every step, every clap, every stomp.

The book beautifully highlights how step dance, born from the rich tapestry of African American history, transcends mere entertainment. It becomes:

• A Celebration of Resilience: A powerful reminder that even in the face of adversity, joy, and resistance can find their voice, their rhythm, and their release through movement.
• A Reclaiming of Body and Voice: In a world that often tries to silence and restrict, step dance becomes a way to reclaim one’s physicality, to speak volumes through the language of the body.
• An Unbreakable Thread to the Past: Soul Step isn’t just about individual expression; it’s about connecting to something bigger, something ancient and powerful. It’s about tapping into the legacy of Black heritage, understanding that the rhythms of the ancestors still pulse within us.

Personal Reflections on Step Dance: A Legacy of Rhythm and Resistance

For Jewell Parker Rhodes, the echoes of percussive dance resonated long before Soul Step. “I was a dancer myself,” she shares, her voice warming at the memory. “Modern dance, jazz dance – those forms spoke to me. But even beyond that, rhythm is so deeply embedded in Black culture. It’s how we celebrate, how we grieve, how we communicate.” Rhodes sees stepping as a direct lineage to those ancestral rhythms, a powerful reminder of the ways Black communities have always found ways to make music with their very being.

McWilliams, reflecting on the resurgence of step dancing in schools and popular culture, adds, “It’s incredible to see this generation embracing step. It’s not just a dance form; it’s a community, a space for self-discovery, and a powerful way to connect with their history.”

The Power of Illustration: Where Words Dance and Images Sing

A story as dynamic as Soul Step demands visuals that can keep pace with the rhythm. Enter Briana Mukodiri Uchendu, whose illustrations, bursting with color and movement, infuse the pages with an infectious energy. “Briana just got it,” Rhodes enthuses. “She understood the emotion, the power, the sheer joy that fuels this dance form. Her illustrations don’t just complement the story; they elevate it, turning each page into a celebration.”

McWilliams echoes this sentiment, adding, “Looking at Briana’s art, you can almost hear the music, feel the vibrations. She captures the essence of stepping in a way that’s both powerful and joyful.”

Concluding Thoughts: Planting Seeds of Joy, Resilience, and Cultural Pride

As our conversation draws to a close, one can’t help but feel a sense of hope and exhilaration radiating from both Rhodes and McWilliams. They’ve poured their hearts, their heritage, and their love for this vibrant art form into Soul Step, and the result is a gift: a story that celebrates Black joy, honors cultural legacy, and reminds us all of the power of finding our own rhythm in the world.

“If even one child picks up this book and feels seen, empowered, and inspired to move,” Rhodes reflects, “then we’ve achieved something truly special.”

And with that, they leave us with a final thought, a resounding echo of the message at the heart of Soul Step: Let the rhythm move you. Let your heritage uplift you. And never, ever be afraid to step into the fullness of who you are.