Rindge Bridging Differences features Diamond Steppers founder

Rindge Bridging Differences will feature the founder of Franklin Pierce University’s The Diamond Steppers at its next Community Conversations event March 26, 6:30 p.m. at Rindge Meeting House, 6 Payson Hill Road. The free event is open to the public.

Alana Thompson, one of the founders of The Diamond Steppers, will join live via Zoom to highlight the evolution of the step team and how the Franklin Pierce team has brought people together both on and off the university campus. She will provide a sampling of the team in action. Following a question-and-answer session with Thompson, a Bridging Differences member will facilitate discussion among attendees.

Thompson, a recent graduate of Franklin Pierce University with a degree in health sciences, is pursuing a Master of Business Administration focused on health care administration. When not attending classes, Thompson works part-time as a pharmacy technician and is training for a half-marathon.

Stepping, or step dancing, is a performance art that originated in West Africa, perhaps as early as the 15th century. From there, it migrated across the globe, finding a home in America’s historically Black colleges and universities in the 1960s. Stepping can incorporate elements of military drills, cheerleading, martial arts, hip-hop, tap, jazz and Afro-Caribbean dance.

Rindge Bridging Differences is an informal gathering of residents who came together as an outgrowth of an event offered by Ingalls Memorial Library in 2022. Everyone is welcome to join its Community Conversations and become part of the group’s future activities. Sessions are held monthly, September through June, either at the Rindge Meeting House or Franklin Pierce library.

For information about Bridging Differences or the March 26 event, send email to rindgerj@gmail.com.