Congratulations to the SWTS2025 Champions!

We are thrilled to announce the winners of this year’s Stepping with the Stars competition!

 

Ladies Competition: Kristin Pierce

Kristin, guided by the incredible mentorship of Keving “Doc” Dockery, dazzled us all with her extraordinary grace and captivating performance. Congratulations on a well-deserved victory!

Men's Competition: Don Black

Don, under the expert guidance of mentor Tricia Evans-Lovett , impressed the audience with his incredible moves and unmatched charisma. Well done on clinching the top spot!

2025 SWTS Highlight Reel

Step into the glamour and elegance of Hollywood at the most anticipated event of the year! Local celebrities and expert partners will dazzle in a competition-style dance event to benefit the Edison McCants Comfort Fund at Aurora at Home, which provides compassionate care for cancer patients and their families.

2025 SWTS Co-Chairs

 

We are thrilled to announce a new chapter in the history of “Stepping with the Stars” (SWTS)! For the first time ever, we are welcoming Co-Chairs to lead our dynamic event to even greater heights. This year, Dominique Johnson and Ericka Crowley will join forces to bring their unique talents, passion, and vision to SWTS.

A Message from our Co-Chairs

We are deeply honored to serve as co-chairs for the 11th Annual Stepping with the Stars, benefiting the Aurora at Home Edison McCants Comfort Fund. As the wives of the highest-ranking officials in the City of Milwaukee and the County of Milwaukee, we have witnessed firsthand the strength of our communities and the resilience they show in the face of health crises. One such crisis is cancer—an ongoing concern that touches millions of families both locally and globally.

Cancer continues to be one of the leading causes of death, presenting many obstacles for patients and their families. But the journey doesn’t have to be faced alone. This is where the Edison McCants Comfort Fund plays a vital role. By supporting the work of Aurora at Home, the fund helps provide specialized care for cancer patients in the comfort of their own homes, ensuring they receive physical, emotional, and dignified support through innovative programs that empower families during this challenging time.

Thanks to the incredible generosity of donors like you, the Edison McCants Comfort Fund has already transformed lives, providing advanced training for at-home care teams and offering compassionate, personalized care to those who need it most. The upcoming event on May 31, 2025, at Potawatomi Hotel & Casino, will help continue this vital work. We invite you to join us in supporting this cause, whether through sponsorship, attendance, or volunteering.

Together, we can continue to build a brighter future for those facing cancer. Your involvement will help ensure that families get the care and resources they deserve. We look forward to partnering with you in this important journey.

Gratefully,

Dominique Johnson & Ericka Crowley

Learn more
Dominique Johnson has been with the Milwaukee YMCA for 13 years, where she has held various key roles, including Sales Director, Membership Director of the Urban Campus, and Association Director for Corporate Wellness and Fitness. Throughout her tenure, she has focused on enhancing the organization’s group exercise offerings and developing innovative products.

In her current role at the YMCA, Dominique’s mission is to empower individuals to feel comfortable and confident in their own bodies. She teaches a wide range of fitness classes each week, trains group exercise instructors, and creates new health and wellness courses. Dominique has also collaborated with prominent organizations such as the American Heart Association and LiveStrong to further promote wellness initiatives.

Dominique was a lead fitness presenter at the inaugural Pulse, a health and wellness festival powered by Aurora Healthcare and Milwaukee World Festival. She also serves on the board of the Ko-Thi Dance Company and volunteers with the Milwaukee Diaper Mission. In addition, Dominique is the founder of M.O.M.S. (Mothers of Milwaukee Symposium), an annual, free event offering workshops and resources for women and mothers.

Looking ahead, Dominique aims to continue her work in the nonprofit and wellness sectors, with a particular focus on supporting survivors of domestic violence.
Dominique, the First Lady of Milwaukee, lives with her husband, Mayor Cavalier Johnson, and their children: 14-year-old son Oliver and 6-year-old twin daughters, Madison and Bella.

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Ericka Crowley is a highly dedicated professional with over 15 years of experience in social services, case management, and quality assurance. Since joining Community Advocates in 2020, she has played a pivotal role in enhancing the support and services provided to clients. Her journey in social service work is deeply rooted in her commitment to combating poverty, a passion that is complemented by her Bachelor’s degree in Community Engagement and Education from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.

In her current role as Rental Housing Resource Coordinator at Community Advocates, located in Milwaukee, WI, Ericka’s rich experience in managing operations, overseeing program assessments, and implementing process improvements has given her the ability to streamline operations and foster a supportive environment for the RHRC.

Beyond her professional achievements, Ericka is the founder of Random Things Publishing LLC, a company dedicated to fostering critical thinking through diverse content. Married for eight years and a mother of three, she enjoys cooking, spending time with her family, and indulging in pasta. Guided by her life motto to operate with optimism, possibility, wisdom, and grace, Ericka’s passion for empowering others shines through in every aspect of her work.

Abra Fortson – Emcee, 2025 Stepping With the Stars

Abra Fortson is a dynamic community leader, advocate, and creative force dedicated to advancing equity and opportunity in Milwaukee. With over two decades of experience in government affairs, community engagement, and executive support, she has led initiatives focused on eliminating poverty and creating space for dialogue around systemic change.

Abra served as Executive Producer of one of the region’s most impactful annual conferences on economic justice, bringing people together to explore bold solutions and empower marginalized voices.
In 2024, she took the stage as a contestant in Stepping With the Stars, winning first place in the ladies’ competition. Dancing in memory of family members lost to cancer, she brought power, grace, and deep emotion to the event.

This year, Abra returns as emcee—bringing her unmatched energy, authenticity, and heart to the stage once again. She proudly identifies as a mother, wife, Yaya (grandmother), and “lifter of women,” living by love, honesty, and joy in all she does.

2025 Featured Guest Artist

Keni Burke

Keni Burke is a renowned Chicago-born R&B, soul, funk, and jazz artist, known for his contributions to the Five Stairsteps and his extensive work as a session musician. He began his career with the Five Stairsteps, a family group that gained recognition with their 1970 hit “O-o-h Child.” Burke also penned their early track “You Waited Too Long” in 1966. After the group disbanded, he launched a solo career and became a prominent session musician, collaborating with artists like Sly & the Family Stone, Natalie Cole, and Billy Preston.

In 1980, Burke released his solo album “Keni,” followed by his signature hit “Risin’ to the Top” in 1982, which became a popular choice for hip-hop sampling. He has also worked with notable artists such as Peabo Bryson, The O’Jays, The Jones Girls, and Keith Sweat. In 1998, he released the album “Nothin’ but Love,” featuring the hit “Indigenous Love.”

2025 STEPPING WITH THE STARS

SPONSORS

Stepping with the Stars is organized and hosted by Milwaukee Steppers and Ballroomers United. Aurora Health Care Foundation is serving as the fiscal agent and donor-recipient for this event. For additional information, please contact Tiffany Tannhaeuser at 414.430.0154 or Tiffany.Tannhaeuser@aah.org.

Registered 501(c)(3) public charity: Aurora Health Care Foundation 39-0806181