The cakewalk dancers were a group of African-American slaves originating in the southern plantations of Florida about 1850. The idea came from the Seminole Indians. These dancers would walk a straight line and balance buckets of water on their heads. Over time, the dance evolved into an imitation of the mannerisms of the white, upper class ballroom figures such as dignified walking, waving canes, doffing hats, and kicking grand promenade.

The main idea of the Cakewalk dance was a couple promenading and mimicking high society. Some of the plantation owners would bake a cake on Sundays and invite the neighbors over and have a contest of the slaves. Whoever won would get the cake and that's where the terms "That takes the cake" and "Cakewalk" originated.

By the 1890's, the Cakewalk dance had spread around the world. The dance became popular in Paris, as well as, America. Competitions were set up. There was a National Cakewalk Jubilee in New York City and the champions would receive diamond rings and gold belts. The Minstrel shows would paint their faces black and dance the Cakewalk in their grand finale. The dance continued until the 1920's when it fell out of favor.