There are various narratives about the origin of the cake walk, but the consensus is that it emerged from the African-American experience of slavery.

Presented as plantation entertainment, dance competitions were organized for enslaved workers in which their “masters” acted as judges. Those who participated would try to out-dance each other. With back-arching movements and springy steps to the sound of an upbeat tune, dancers parodied the structured ballroom formalities of bowing and curtsying. Unaware of being mocked, slave owners took part in the fun by awarding cake to the champions – hence the cake walk.

From 1890 to 1910, cake walk passion swept the United States. Performed in minstrel and vaudeville shows, it became a form of entertainment popular with both black and white audiences.

You can learn more about the popularization of the Cake Walk here: https://www.newyorkalmanack.com/2021/11/the-cake-walk-prohibition-john-philip-sousa-ragtime-wild-paris/