"Steppin' Out" was the theme of the Houston Museum of African American Culture gala and supporters surely stepped out in style at The Ensemble Theatre on Thursday. With the glam Tina Knowles and the oh-so-connected artist Danny Simmons (co-founder with his brother Russell Simmons of the Rush Philanthropic Arts Foundation) as headliners, the night was off to a galloping start.

And then things jumped into even higher gear with announcement by Winell Herron that H-E-B was donating $150,000 to the museum, a welcome surprise to museum CEO John Guess Jr. who is still beaming over that show of support. Herron chaired the gala along with Sharon Owens and Gina Carroll, assisted by honorary chairsKnowles, Regina Rogers and Lauren Anderson.

Before sitting down to dinner by Langstead Catering, gala-goers were led from the reception by the Yates High School Drum Line. The evening's entertainment included The Ensemble Theatre's Youth Performers featuring a Michael Jackson salute and a salute to the African American Fraternity Steppers. They had the crowd clapping in time and tapping their feet.

Museum supporters steppin' out included Leslie and Brad Bucher, Licia Green-Ellis, Audrey and the Rev. Bill Lawson, John and Carolyn Guess, Percy and Cheryl Creuzot, Sibyl Jackson, Chicago gallerist Andre Guichard, Ellena Stone-Huckaby, Irene and Ronald Johnson, Luca Dona, Annette and Arthur Bracey, Cindy Parris, Eileen Lawal, Warner Roberts, Dallas Hill, Gina Gaston and Jerome and Saundria Gray.