Stepping, a dance tradition made popular by African-American fraternities and sororities, is a complex performance involving synchronized percussive movement, singing, speaking, chanting, and drama. It can be traced to the peoples and cultural dance traditions of Africa, specifically, the "Gumboot Dance". With a focus on precise foot movements and hand-clapping, gumboots used dance as a means to communicate.

Stepping in the U.S. can be traced as far back as the 1920's during fraternity pledges at Howard University. As stepping evolved into the 1940's and 50's, various elements of military drill formations became prevalent; partially due to the fact that many military men joined fraternities upon returning from WW II.

As a result of this evolution, step shows became the format of choice to display pride in ones organization (i.e., fraternity, sorority) and is now produced in many African-American churches, schools, community groups, fraternities, and sororities, as well as Latino, Asian-American, and multicultural greek-letter organizations.

UCS, Inc. has a mission to educate diverse audiences and members of the community with regards to the art form of stepping, who might not otherwise be exposed to one of the most exciting dance forms to evolve in the 20th century.