Joe, affectionately known as "Papa Joe" by

his students and friends, embodies the rich

and vibrant spirit of his multicultural heritage,

which informs every facet of his life. With over

45 years as an entertainer, including 33 years

as a dedicated Theatre Arts and Dance teacher,

Joe has had a profound impact on countless young minds.

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In 2021, he shifted his focus toward his lifelong dream of founding the Multicultural Arts. Raised in the Bronx, New York, Joe's roots are intertwined with the rich cultural diversity of the city. He lived briefly in Puerto Rico, where a career-defining moment occurred in 1987 when he performed for King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia of Spain. Shortly after, Joe moved to Los Angeles, where he flourished for 23 years, signing with a management team, working in front of and behind the camera as well as a Foley artist, and performing with and for various American and Hispanic-Latinx artists and stage productions. As both a performer and educator, Joe has been involved in over 500 shows as an actor, dancer, choreographer, producer, and director.

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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 productions like Into the Woods, Hairspray, Chicago, Dreamgirls, Newsies, and many more. His passion for writing shines through in his original works, such as Courage to Love, Too Old for the Chorus, Brown and Browner, The Untold Stories of City Kidz, Ambitions, Case 6:04, and Famalee. Joe’s faith-based plays include Open House on Christmas Eve, Lazarus: Friend of Jesus, Witness, and Mixx-Nutz Christmas Celebration, the latter of which will return to the stage in December 2024 at The Rize.

 

Joe has collaborated as a songwriter for different artists in various genres of music. Joe's contributions to the arts have earned him recognition on four magazine covers and numerous awards for choreography, direction, and teaching, including multiple Teacher of the Month awards 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. His "Bullied NO More" program is just one of the many outreach initiatives he has championed, alongside collecting supplies for foster and at-risk youth. His dedication to service led him to adopt two sons and serve in leadership roles with various advisory boards for foster care and arts organizations.

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Joe has also been active in political campaigns, supporting figures like Howard Dean, Jim Stork, Bill Clinton, Janet Reno and Barack Obama. He advocates for causes such as marriage equality, the protection of asylum seekers, opposing the Ukraine war, and the protection of innocent civilians in both Israel and Palestine. Additionally, Joe has raised awareness about the disappearances of women in Juárez. He has championed the cases such as Equality Fight for AIDS, George Floyd and Trayvon Martin, supporting the broader Black Lives Matter movement, and continues to advocate for women’s rights, including the right to choose.

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Joe has long been a proponent of improving education and raising awareness about dyslexia and dyscalculia, learning disorders he himself has experienced. He is passionate about ensuring that students receive free meals during the week, on weekends, and throughout holidays. Joe also collects hygiene products, school supplies, backpacks, and uniforms for students in need.

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Now, after 15 years in Saint Louis, Joe’s vision of a space where the arts and diverse cultures can thrive has come to life through the Multicultural Arts Foundation. His collaboration with Betsey Mitchell and The Rize further strengthens his commitment to addressing segregation and inequality in Saint Louis. Joe's work stands as a testament to his lifelong mission of fostering creativity, inclusivity, and equality for all.

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Joe's family.  

Emmanuel, Isaiah, and renowned

novelist and screenwriter Bart Baker.