Jackson Elementary students get visit from Houston-based dance group

Students of Chapel Hill ISD’s Jackson Elementary School were treated to a high-energy performance by Soul Street Dance Company last week. “We do educational outreach shows to educate the culture of hip hop, the positive side of hip hop, what it is, how it started, where it comes from where it’s at now, and how we can use those tools to develop and motivate and inspire kids for future purposes,” said co-founder Cedric Hicks. Since 2008, the Houston-based dance troupe has traveled around the world to promote education and cultural awareness. The team currently includes four dancers: Hicks, Roderick “Rock” Williams, Valencio “Vale” Martinez, and their musical maestro Sheaman Austin, also known as “DJ IV.” #placement_588494_0_i{width:100%;margin:0 auto;} Co-founder Cedric Hicks shows a Jackson Elementary student hip-hop moves. Jennifer Scott/Tyler Morning Telegraph “We grew up in rough neighborhoods around Houston,” Hicks said. “We use this platform to grow… it helped me a lot in the sense of being an individual and inspiring others like us.” Their performances encompass all styles of hip-hop dance with a foundation of break dancing and pop and locking. They visit schools, detention centers and orphanages to share cultural differences and inspire love and unity through hip-hop....