In 2021, Joe shifted his focus toward fulfilling his lifelong dream of founding the Multicultural Arts Foundation. Raised in the Bronx, New York, Joe’s roots are deeply intertwined with the rich cultural diversity of the city. He lived briefly in Puerto Rico, where a defining moment in his career occurred in 1987 when he performed for King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia of Spain. Shortly afterward, Joe moved to Los Angeles, where he thrived for 23 years. During this time, he signed with a management team and worked extensively both in front of and behind the camera, including as a Foley artist. He performed with and for various American and Hispanic-Latinx artists in numerous stage productions.

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As both a performer and educator, Joe has been involved in over 500 shows as an actor, dancer, choreographer, producer, and director. His career highlights include iconic roles such as Paul in A Chorus Line, Bernardo in West Side Story, the Scarecrow in The Wiz, Rocky in Fortune and Men's Eyes, and Angel in RENT. As a director and choreographer, Joe has brought to life renowned productions such as Into the Woods, Hairspray, Chicago, Dreamgirls, Newsies, and many more. His passion for storytelling extends to his original works, which include Courage to Love, Too Old for the Chorus, Brown and Browner, The Untold Stories of City Kidz, Ambitions, Case 6:04, and Famalee. His faith-based plays, such as Open House on Christmas Eve, Lazarus: Friend of Jesus, Witness, and Mixx-Nutz Christmas Celebration, reflect his commitment to impactful narratives. The latter will return to the stage in December 2024 at The Rize.

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Joe’s talents extend to songwriting, where he has collaborated with various artists across multiple music genres. His contributions to the arts have earned him recognition on four magazine covers, along with numerous awards for choreography, direction, and teaching. He has received multiple Teacher of the Month accolades and three consecutive nominations for Teacher of the Year.

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A fierce advocate for the arts and education, Joe is deeply committed to empowering marginalized communities. He launched the Bullied NO More program to combat bullying and has spearheaded initiatives to collect supplies for foster and at-risk youth. Joe’s dedication to service is also evident in his personal life; he adopted two sons and has served on advisory boards for foster care and arts organizations.

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As someone with dyslexia and dyscalculia, Joe has worked tirelessly to raise awareness about learning disorders and improve education. He advocates for ensuring students have access to free meals during school days, weekends, and holidays while also organizing collections of hygiene products, school supplies, backpacks, and uniforms for those in need.

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Now residing in Saint Louis for the past 15 years, Joe’s vision of creating a space where arts and diverse cultures can thrive has come to fruition through the Multicultural Arts Foundation. His work is a testament to his lifelong mission of fostering creativity, inclusivity, and equality for all.

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Beyond the arts, Joe has been an active participant in political and social causes, supporting figures like Howard Dean, Jim Stork, Bill Clinton, Janet Reno, and Barack Obama. He champions marriage equality and the protection of asylum seekers and opposes conflicts such as the Ukraine war while advocating for the protection of innocent civilians in both Israel and Palestine. Joe has also raised awareness about the disappearances of women in Juárez and has passionately supported causes such as AIDS equality, the cases of George Floyd and Trayvon Martin, and the broader Black Lives Matter movement. Additionally, he continues to advocate for women’s rights, including the right to choose.

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Joe’s remarkable journey highlights his unwavering commitment to making the world a better place through art, education, and activism.